Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii

A Bold New Adventure

Game Introduction

The Like a Dragon series (formerly Yakuza) is known for its eccentric action, heartwrenching narratives, and sense of humor. Now Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio is bringing the franchise to a new high… literally, in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. This installment takes the action away from the streets of Kamurocho and into the Hawaiian paradise beaches and jungle – the Yakuza formula given a pirate spin. The series is getting a big makeover, but it’s keeping the same premises.

Gameplay: A Tropical Twist on Yakuza Chaos

Similar to the previous games of the Yakuza series, the recently released Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii still maintains the Action and RPG combat system. As the name suggests, this installment adds a sailing element. The players take on the role of a new main character – Haruto “Harry” Kurosawa, who is a disgraced Yakuza member stranded in Hawaii due to a failed heist. In order to survive, he partners up with a group of pirates, which fuses land combat with sea combat in brawls.

The fight system remains just as active as before, with Harry and his crew employing a combination of customary Yakuza fighting techniques and pirate-style weapons. Expect to engage rival pirates, crooked officials, and the odd shark in chaotic skirmishes while brandishing cutlasses, flintlock pistols, and even harpoons. The turn-based combat system has received polish and further development with the addition of Crew Combos and Naval Warfare. Crew Combos enables Harry and his members to perform sophisticated team attacks, while ship-to-ship conflict covered by Naval Warfare requires careful planning and resource allocation.

With the game, you can interact with multi-dimensional characters with different skills and traits. The crew feels like a family, and their interactions are a highlight of the game. Captain Mira is the first mate, and she is all cunning and smart. Big Benny is the hulking brawler. Also, the side missions, or Substories, are just as entertaining and ridiculous as always. Helping local fishermen to catch a ‘legendary’ tuna or participating in karaoke contests where you have to sing songs pirates love are all things players can do.

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is a huge open world playground full of cities, beaches to surf, and even jungles. Travelling across the islands can be done on foot, on a boat, and even by your own customizable pirate ship that is customizable. The ship is a mobile base where players can upgrade their crew, collect supplies, and embark on treasure hunts. The game also features the new Pirate Economy, where players can trade loots, buy into local shops, or even start their own pirate hideout.

Story Narrative: A Tale of Redemption and Adventure

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, a romping buddy journey through friendship, betrayal, and loads of sea adventures. The Haruto Kurosawa character was able to reach a high rank in the Tojo Clan, but was set up for a crime and was sent to Hawaii. Harry will have to locate Mira and her oddball crew if he wants to get back to Japan. Theirs is a quest for the ‘Golden Leviathan’, and it is thought that this treasure is an item of great power.

A single, world-spanning story of plots and backstabbing and the occasional heart-warming moments. This story has the perfect combination of drama and comedy, and also the self-knowledge that is the centre of Harry’s journey. All the characters in the crew are unique with a story of their own to tell. Of the countless ideas and themes explored in this story, loyalty and the essence of what makes up an individual, and even more importantly, what freedom costs, are probably the most prominent played, making it one of the deepest and most thought-provoking in the entire series.

Graphics and Sound: A Tropical Paradise

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is a visually beautiful game. All of Hawaii is recreated in the game with vivid and detailed scenery, as well as spectacular panoramic vistas. Every spot, from bustling Honolulu to serene hidden areas, is teeming with life, and its world feels immersive. The impressiveness goes into the character models too; they’re extremely well clothed, and facial animations are very close to life.

Every part of the game is well looked after, especially the sound elements. One of the more notable features includes the game’s ever-changing soundtrack, which fuses Hawaiian music with the game’s classic jazz and rock songs. In addition, voice acting is offered in Japanese and English, which is complemented by many great performers. This adds to the experience, especially with the Hawaiian birds, the sea waves, and people talking in the distance.

Replayability and Content: Endless Adventures Await

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii offers hours of entertainment, and the replay value is even higher. While the primary campaign has more than thirty hours of playtime, the side activities truly shine. Players can take part in fishing, treasure hunts, and ride on their very own privateer. The game also has a deep crafting system, enabling the player to design custom weapons, armor, and upgrades for their ships.

The game introduces “Pirate Haven” mode, where players can build and customize their own island base, which is a neat idea. There are a bunch of new things to do, like adding new crew members to your ship or throwing pirate parties. There are just so many ways to get creative with this mode. Another notable feature is online multiplayer; the game has high replay value with co-op missions and competitive naval battles.

Verdict

Above mentioned Verdict is not based upon any kind of official review; it’s our self-rated verdict.

Genre and Platforms

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii was launched on February 21, 2025, for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC via Steam. This coalescence of pirate story and Yakuza tale sets it as a standout for everyone, both new and long-time players, and the variety of genres featured is guaranteed to have you guessing around every corner.

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii System Requirements