Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii: A Treasure Trove of Gameplay
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio
Platform: PS5 (reviewed), PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Engine: Dragon Engine
Release date: February 21
Perhaps you’re like me, playing on PS5 and desperately hoping for pirates to crest that wave towards having their moment in the sun again. Unfortunately, between Skull and Bones’ underwhelming anchor weighing and Flint: Treasure of Oblivion’s failure to make a splash, pirate fans haven’t unearthed any bountiful booty in some time. Enter Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, adding a nautical spin to a series usually about Japanese gangsters and their shadowy criminal underworld.
A Pirate’s Life for Majima
When cosplaying dweebs fancying themselves as bonafide swashbucklers threaten not just Majima, but a sheltered young boy called Noah who takes in the amnesiac yakuza, crossing cutlasses becomes inevitable. Soon after commandeering the ruffians’ ship, Majima hears tell of a treasure harbouring the secret to eternal life, plus a whole pirate underworld full of dastardly marauders who’ll stop at nothing to get their mitts on it. Memoryless though he may be, Majima’s fearless attitude remains – and this is just one more criminal underbelly for him to sink his jaws into, even if looking out for new sidekick Noah is marginally more selfless than he’s been in the past.
Pirate Yakuza Offers a Treasure Trove of Gameplay
For the uninitiated, Like a Dragon is a series earnest as it is silly; earlier games offer deadly serious crime drama punctuated by downright zany side-quests, featuring highlights that include (but are certainly not limited to) filling in as a costumed mascot, giving a dominatrix a pep talk, and pacifying a gang of hardmen dressed up as babies. On paper, this zig-zagging tone shouldn’t work but has endeared fans for the last twenty years.
A New Grapple with Gameplay
Pounding the pavements of Honolulu plays all of the hits from its last appearance in 2024’s Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, including window-shopping chats with your crew, emulated classic retro arcade games, plus a particularly bizarre take on Pokémon Snap that is best stumbled upon yourself. A new grappling hook gets you looking high and low for treasure, but otherwise this familiar space is far from dramatically recontextualized.
Madlantis: The Pirate Playground
Ship customization is just one merry rabbit hole you can lose yourself down, though a costly one at that. You’ll also need dosh to upgrade Majima’s fighting abilities, upgrade your onboard equipment, buy food for you and the crew, not to mention hide your nakedness with an impressive wardrobe selection. Besides bullying bitty boats out on the open water, the pirate underworld offers many opportunities to turn a quick buck – so long as you can provide a bit of spectacle.
Verdict
Like a Dragon’s swashbuckling adventure welcomes all for seafaring silliness. Whether you’re beating up landlubbers or storming the deck, modern day marauding proves surprisingly easy – and difficult to put down.
FAQs
- Q: Is Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii a spin-off of the Yakuza series?
A: Yes, it is a spin-off that adds a nautical twist to the series. - Q: Is it still a Yakuza game at its core?
A: Yes, it retains the same tone and style as the main Yakuza series, but with a pirate setting and new gameplay mechanics. - Q: Is it worth playing for fans of the series?
A: Absolutely, fans of the Yakuza series will appreciate the new spin and the opportunity to play as Majima in a different setting.
