Goro Majima finally takes the reins in his own Like a Dragon adventure, coming to PC, PlayStation and Xbox.
Fans of the Yakuza franchise have been asking for it for years, and SEGA and studio Ryu Ga Gotoku finally gave it! Goro Majima is now getting his own video game, and the lucky few had the chance to watch nearly an hour of pure gameplay of Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, discovering all that this crazy new action game has to offer. The game is scheduled for release on February 28th for PC, Xbox, and PlayStation consoles.
Using the Hawaiian location of the fantastic Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth but abandoning the turn-based role-playing game in favour of real-time action, the new adventure in the Yakuza series allows us to explore the landscape vertically, reaching otherwise inaccessible areas. The grappling hook used for this can also be used in combat, allowing us to grab it and throw ourselves at the enemy at full speed.
There is no shortage of other Yakuza-like craziness; for example, we will have our own pirate ship!
Speaking of combat, the Yakuza series has always relied on alternating styles to make fights more dynamic and attention-grabbing. The “Sea Dog” style will be the centre of attention in this episode. Basically, because Goro Majima will literally transform into a pirate with two sabres, increasing the range of his attacks. The other style, “Mad Dog”, is more nimble and faster due to the use of daggers.
Piracy Like a Dragon
In addition to the streets seen in Infinite Wealth, the new chapter of RGG Studio’s series adds a new pirate-themed area: Madlantis. It is an enclave that looks almost like a theme park dedicated to piracy but is apparently inhabited by rogues of all kinds. It seems like it will have its own mini-games, even an amphitheatre, and different factions and their power struggles. So it looks like this ship graveyard will play an essential role in this new Like a Dragon story.
Since it’s a pirate game starring a charismatic character like Majima, the game won’t be lacking in other Yakuza-esque shenanigans, such as the aforementioned custom pirate ship. We’ve seen that there’s boarding, with fighting on board ships, but… But what about sailing? It remains a mystery for now, but it seems clear that we will be able to freely explore the sea, even engage in sea battles, and upgrade our ship to increase our chances against more vigorous opponents.
True to the spirit of the series, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio will also put several mini-games on the table. Among them are some recent and well-loved games, such as the go-kart racing that originated in the brilliant Yakuza Like a Dragon, which saw the series jump into the turn-based JRPG genre. In short, this new Yakuza game has all the necessary ingredients to enjoy once again an adventure game that is as cheesy as the best title in the series but also has serious moral dilemmas. We only have to wait until February 2025 to be immersed again in the gangsters – or, wait… pirsters?! – world…
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