We all know that Ryu Ga Gotoku’s productions, including Yakuza/Like a Dragon, are always coming in fast, so it was only a matter of time before the next game was revealed, with Tokyo Game Show just around the corner. The new episode was finally revealed in a livestream this Friday. Entitled Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, next February will see the return of one of the license’s craziest characters.
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Not an RPG This Time
Following Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, Ichiban Kasuga‘s last major and highly successful episode, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii takes us back to the world-famous tourist island and the scene of all kinds of danger.
But this time, several changes are worth noting. First of all, we play as the famous Goro Majima, Shimano’s Dog, the saga’s iconic character. He is the only playable protagonist in this episode, which returns to an old-fashioned action-adventure structure.
That’s right: no turn-based battles this time, but free-roaming battles in which Majima’s speed will shine through. Two fighting styles are available: Mad Dog and Sea Dog. Notable new features include the ability to jump in the middle of combat for the very first time in the saga.
In his Sea Dog style, the ex-yakuza will benefit from secondary weapons, such as a pistol, seen in the first gameplay trailer, or a grappling hook of some kind, to enhance the aerial aspect of battles. Basically, he’ll be fighting with knives, which he can also use as boomerangs to inflict damage from any angle, as in a fight sequence taking place on a boat.
As the title suggests, Majima is about to embark on a career as captain of a pirate ship, the Goromaru. How did he end up with such a destiny? Well, he was first found unconscious on a beach, 6 months after the events of the last episode. Taken in by a little boy called Noah, he realizes that he has completely lost his memory. He ends up on a strange adventure taking him across the seas in search of his memories and Esperanza’s lost treasure.
Captain Majima Sails the Seas
We’ll be putting together a crew and preparing for battle at sea. Naval battles will be part of the game, with a first part where you’ll have to bomb ships, followed by a second part where you’ll board them, starting a crew vs crew battle with lots of enemies on screen.
Several destinations are on the adventure menu: Hawaii, Nele Island, of course, as well as Rich Island, the small island from which we started, and above all Madlantis, the lair of the charismatic Queen Michelle and home to the most dangerous pirates. It’s also home to a coliseum, where you’re likely to encounter some serious fighters. Navigating the seas will also lead us to discover hidden islands containing treasures, and often occupied by enemies.
Naval boarding and dynamic combat are all well and good, but Like a Dragon is also packed with subplots and crazy mini-games. These include the famous Crazy Delivery, Dragon Kart races, and Karaoke. Majima can wear various outfits and accessories, with over 200 customization elements.
Finally, “Masaru’s Love Journey” will feature the famous Minato girls, whose auditions were the first hint of the game several months ago. However, almost no information on this last mini-game has been revealed. In any case, we can imagine that Ryu Ga Gotoku is still holding many elements under its sleeve.
Pre-order Bonuses, Deluxe, and Collector’s Editions Already Revealed
In addition to the Standard Edition, both digital and physical, available for $59.99, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii offers several editions and pre-order bonuses. Here are the details.
Pre-order Bonuses
Crew Member Set Ichiban
- Crew member: Ichiban Kasuga
- Crew support: Nancy
Ichiban Special Outfit Set
- Kasuga outfit (Infinite Wealth)
- Kasuga outfit (Yakuza: Like a Dragon)
Deluxe Edition ($74.99, Digital Only)
- The base game: Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii
- Legendary pirate pack, featuring Kazuma Kiryu, Daigo Dojima, Ono Michio, Omelette, and other iconic characters from the saga
- Legendary outfits pack, featuring outfits for saga characters such as Kiryu, Adachi, Nanba, and Joon-gi Han.
- Ship customization pack, allowing you to decorate the Goromaru with the colors of characters such as Kiryu and Ichiban.
- Karaoke and CD Extra Pack
Collector’s Edition
- The base game: Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii
- 6″ tall Goro Majima Acrylic Standee
- 12″ x 18″ Majima pirate flag
- 3″ x 4″ eye patch
- 2″ diameter Treasure Coin Pin
- All Deluxe Edition digital content
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii will arrive on PS4, PS5, Xbox Series, Xbox One, and PC via Steam on February 28, 2025.