Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is a premium action game developed by RGG Studios and SEGA. It is renowned for delivering over-the-top action sequences, humorous sub-stories, and epic thriller drama. With pop culture references, guest stars such as Samoa Joe, and a killer soundtrack, this RPG is jam-packed.

Inspired by games such as Streets of Rage, Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is set months after the events of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth. This time, players step back into the shoes of Goro Majima, the Mad Dog of Shimano, as he embarks on a pirate journey while grappling with amnesia.

Pirate-themed adventures

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii begins with Majima waking up on an island with no memory of getting there. He sets his sights on the seven seas with his rescuer and a band of wacky pirates whom he calls his crew. Equipped with two unique fighting styles—Pirate and Mad Dog—he must conquer his enemies while finding answers about what happened to him.

The game improves on the formula of its previous games, giving players more freedom to experiment and combine fighting styles that can help them turn the tide against their foes. Moreover, it greatly expands its arsenal of mini-games, with game modes such as Crazy Eats, Go Kart Racing, and even more songs added to Karaoke. DLC packs that reintroduce familiar faces and stir up nostalgia are also available.

While the game greatly expands and improves its already tried-and-tested formula, it still has a few downsides. For one, the combat system can be difficult to learn for players who are more used to the previous turn-based combat system. Not only that, but players might also miss out on the DLCs that are only exclusive as a bundle and not as a separate pack.

A pirate’s free demo adventure

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii offers a free demo version that provides a vivid slice of the action-adventure spin-off starring Goro Majima as a pirate captain. You can freely explore Honolulu and venture into the criminal stronghold of Madlantis, dynamically switching between Majima’s signature Mad Dog style and the new Sea Dog combat style—featuring dual cutlasses, pistols, aerial combos, and finishing moves.

The demo also includes four exhilarating real-time ship battles in the Pirates’ Coliseum, where you challenge rival crews, disable their vessels, board them, and engage in chaotic hand-to-hand combat on deck. You’ll also encounter classic Yakuza-style side content, such as karaoke with a selection of three songs, along with customization options that let you personalize your look with a variety of accessories and outfits. It’s important to note that the gameplay mechanics, like save data and progression, do not carry over to the full game.

Challenging but rewarding 

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii delivers an exciting experience with its improved combat mechanics, creative mini-games, and numerous callbacks to past entries in the series. The combination of pirate-themed action and fan-favorite elements creates a fresh yet familiar atmosphere. Although the steep learning curve for combat and questionable DLC choices might deter some players, the game remains a thrilling adventure worth exploring.