Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii – hands-on report

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, slated for release on February 28 is an action-adventure game that stars Goro Majima as the sole protagonist for the first time. After losing his memory and being stranded on Rich Island near Hawaii, Majima takes on the role of a pirate and sets out on a grand oceanic adventure. Recently showcased at the Tokyo Game Show 2024, I had the opportunity to get hands-on with this highly anticipated title, and here’s my impression of the gameplay experience.

Pirate’s life

In this hands-on preview, players control Majima as he embarks on an adventure in Hawaii, engaging in battles and activities. At the start of the game, Majima is shown traveling by ship with his crew, including Jason, his son Noah, and Masaru, a chef and bodyguard. Their goal is to reach the secret criminal island of Madlantis, but they make a stop in Honolulu to prepare.

Mad Dog and Sea Dog style

As Majima and Noah stroll along the beach, the battle tutorial begins. Unlike the RPG live-command system of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, this title returns to Majima’s action-packed, brawling roots, last seen in Yakuza Kiwami 2. Players can switch between two battle styles, Mad Dog and Sea Dog, with the latter involving a transformation into pirate-themed attire with a completely different move set.

In the Mad Dog style, Majima primarily uses his fists and a dagger for combat. Compared to Kazuma Kiryu, Majima’s movements are noticeably quicker, with agile footwork and rapid attacks. A standout feature of this style is the ability to jump, allowing Majima to perform air combos. Players can enjoy the satisfaction of launching enemies into the air and continuing their attacks mid-air. The extended airtime makes it easy to execute aerial combos for those unfamiliar with action games.

Additionally, as time passes or when Heat Actions are activated, the Madness Gauge in the top left corner of the screen fills up, allowing Majima to create doppelgangers. Four shadowy duplicates of Majima appear and begin attacking nearby enemies. It’s exhilarating to see Majima at the center, spinning like a top with his clones and knocking enemies around.

The Sea Dog style focuses on attacks using pirate-themed weapons, especially the cutlass, a curved, single-edged sword pirates carry around in films. Majima can dual-wield cutlasses to slash enemies and even throw them like boomerangs. The Charge Gun increases in power the longer the button is held, and there’s also the option to use a Chain Hook. This allows Majima to either attack from a distance or quickly close the gap with enemies, offering versatile combat strategies depending on the situation.

In combat, you can seamlessly switch between the two battle styles at any time. Even players who aren’t comfortable with action games can enjoy flashy, dynamic moves by mixing and matching these styles. The Sea Dog style in particular, with its use of pirate-themed tools and unique actions, is sure to become addictive. Similar to Kiryu’s gadget-based Agent style from Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name, Majima’s Pirate style offers a tricky way to fight.

Play around in Honolulu

After completing the battle tutorial, I was able to explore and enjoy various activities in Honolulu freely. I got to try out popular features like Karaoke and Boutique, along with the explosive race Dragon Kart and the stunt-based delivery game, Crazy Delivery. Though these activities are familiar to players, experiencing them as Majima instead of Ichiban Kasuga brought a fresh twist to the gameplay.

Mobs of Madlantis

After playing for a while, you can talk to Jason, and finally set foot on the island of Madlantis. It’s a desolate place known as a ship graveyard, where criminal organizations coexist together. The island exudes an atmosphere of decay, and you’ll frequently get into fights with rowdy individuals. Additionally, there are gambling spots to enjoy games like poker.

As you gather information from the roughnecks and head towards the bar where a rival pirate called Keith resides, a battle ensues. Surrounded by a horde of henchmen, Majima’s combat skills truly shine. Using the Mad Dog style, you can confuse enemies with swift, acrobatic moves while wielding your dagger. On the other hand, the Sea Dog style allows you to unleash wide-range attacks with dual swords. The one-on-one fight with Keith offers thrilling action, as you dodge, guard, and strike at opportune moments.

While the idea of Majima becoming a pirate might seem far-fetched, the gameplay proves to be a solid action-adventure experience. Majima’s characteristic Mad Dog persona shines through, showing that even with memory loss, he can’t help but enjoy the thrill of battle. There’s much to look forward to when Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii launches on February 28 on PS5.