REVIEW – The Like a Dragon (formerly Yakuza) series has always embraced spin-offs to expand its universe beyond the mainline titles. We’ve seen some wild concepts before—stepping into the shoes of a detective in Judgment, traveling back to the Edo period in Ishin!, or even surviving a zombie apocalypse in Dead Souls. But when it comes to sheer absurdity, Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii might just take the crown.

And honestly? That’s not a bad thing. Goro Majima as the protagonist? We’ve been waiting for this moment! Sure, he’s been playable in past entries, but this is the first time we get to experience an entire adventure solely through his chaotic perspective—this time, as the captain of his very own pirate ship. The game’s title makes no secret of what to expect: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studios set out to deliver a completely unhinged pirate experience—except, unlike Ishin!, there’s no time travel involved. This is modern-day piracy, with all the ridiculousness that comes with it.

And you know what? You won’t even question it. The game hooks you in just like every other Like a Dragon spin-off: by cleverly reusing familiar locations, characters, and gameplay elements while mixing in fresh mechanics and systems. This time, it’s all about island-hopping, naval combat, and hijacking enemy ships.

So… how does Majima end up in this mess?

The answer? A little amnesia and a whole lot of flashbacks. The story picks up six months after the events of Infinite Wealth, with Majima washing up on a remote island. A young boy named Noah rescues him, but Majima has no memory of how he got there. From there, the plot starts weaving together multiple storylines—Noah’s family struggles, Majima’s own past, and, of course, the hunt for a legendary pirate treasure.

But don’t expect Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii to throw you straight into the action. And honestly? It doesn’t need to. This isn’t the franchise’s biggest blockbuster, and the game knows it. If you’re already on board with the insanity of its premise, it’s going to take its time showing you exactly what makes it unique. That means the first few hours are packed with tutorials and systems to learn—combat mechanics, cooking, recruiting pirates, sailing, naval battles… There’s a lot to take in, and only the patient will get to the real meat of the story.

That being said, the combat? It’s a spectacle. While the gameplay still builds on the foundations of previous entries, it’s leaning more into hack-and-slash territory. Movements feel smoother, attacks flow better, and now you can launch enemies into the air and chain together stylish combos. Majima alternates between two distinct fighting styles: the classic Mad Dog technique and the over-the-top Sea Dog style, where he wields twin pirate sabers with wild, unpredictable attacks. Heavy strikes charge up over time, skill bars demand smart management, and enemies know how to position themselves with ranged attacks. The grappling hook, last seen in The Man Who Erased His Name, also returns—working similarly to Nero’s Devil Bringer from Devil May Cry, allowing Majima to zip toward enemies and keep his combos going.

But if Majima tearing through the city as a pirate isn’t unhinged enough, his special abilities take things even further. The Mad Dog style lets him summon clones of himself, which can be upgraded and multiplied as he levels up. Oh, and did we mention he can also call in wild animals? Yes, you can unleash a monkey or even a shark to rip your enemies apart.

A Pirate’s Life is Never Dull

Like every Like a Dragon game, there’s a fair amount of recycling going on here. Infinite Wealth’s Honolulu serves as the main hub, but this time, the surrounding islands take center stage, introducing new areas and a treasure-hunting system. Think of it like the raids in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, but instead of pillaging villages, you’re scouring islands for hidden treasures. And if you fail? You restart the entire section from scratch.

The Assassin’s Creed comparison isn’t just a coincidence—the developers have clearly drawn inspiration from Ubisoft’s franchise, particularly from one of its most beloved classics, which has been the subject of countless remake rumors: Black Flag. Nowhere is this influence more apparent than in naval combat, which here takes on a more arcade-style approach. The key to victory lies in positioning your ship to unleash devastating broadsides, but frontal assaults and ramming are just as crucial. And sometimes, sinking an enemy ship isn’t enough—you’ll have to board it and engage in good old-fashioned pirate duels. Like a Dragon experiments in interesting ways here, and as battles become more challenging, the system deepens. That said, it also made me appreciate just how well-crafted Black Flag’s naval combat was over a decade ago—Ubisoft’s game nailed the seamless transitions between island exploration, sailing, and ship combat.

As you progress, sailing and naval warfare become increasingly complex and demanding. If you don’t invest in upgrading your ship, you won’t stand a chance in later battles. You’ll need to gather resources, keep your crew’s morale high, assign the right people to the right jobs, and upgrade your cannons—or replace them entirely with flamethrowers for maximum destruction. And that’s just the beginning… the real madness is something best discovered on your own. This is where the game truly carves out its own identity—there are moments when traditional cannon fire won’t cut it, and you’ll have to abandon the helm to manually aim and take out your enemies with precision.

A Floating Amusement Park—With Blood and Rum Barrels

Among the many destinations you’ll sail to, the most significant is undoubtedly Madlantis, a cavernous ship graveyard that has become a lawless den of sin and crime. It’s not the first time the series has introduced such a location—fans might be reminded of the castle in The Man Who Erased His Name. But thanks to the pirate setting, this place offers even more narrative depth. A major chunk of the story unfolds here, and it’s home to a cast of eccentric characters, including the rulers of Madlantis, led by Queen Michelle and the enigmatic Naomi. The deeper you dive into the story, the clearer it becomes that the focus isn’t just on Majima’s personal journey—it’s also about young cabin boy Noah, his father Jason Rich, and their tangled past.

But Madlantis isn’t just a story hub—it’s also the setting for a series of brand-new minigames. One of the biggest additions is the naval battle coliseum, where you can engage in increasingly brutal ship duels against some of the most fearsome pirates. These battles get progressively tougher, pushing you to make the most of your ship’s upgrades and crew management. If you’re aiming for the highest ranks and best rewards, prepare for some serious challenges.

Pirate Life and Side Activities

As expected, the series’ signature side activities make a return: arcade and Master System games, karaoke, billiards, baseball, card games, Yakuza: Like a Dragon’s Dragon Kart, and Infinite Wealth’s Crazy Delivery. Social interactions are back as well, with Majima hilariously greeting people in the streets—giving off major Spider-Man 3 Tobey Maguire vibes. On top of that, you can customize Majima’s outfits, cook meals, and even grow your own food. These features are among Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii’s biggest strengths, making sure there’s always something to do outside the main story.

Visually and technically, the game matches the level seen in Infinite Wealth, but it seems to run even smoother in Hawaii’s more demanding scenes. Running on a PS5 Pro, the game looks fantastic, with graphical settings that let you mix Quality and Performance modes, offering both crisp visuals and fluid animations.

At the end of the day, Ryu Ga Gotoku’s latest game delivers the wild, over-the-top energy that fans have come to expect—but it’s also clear that this is a game made for the franchise’s hardcore audience. There’s an abundance of minigames and activities, but the story and open-world exploration take a backseat compared to some of the series’ other standout spin-offs. It lacks the bold setting changes of Ishin! and the gripping narratives of the two Judgment games. While managing your ship and recruiting NPCs for your crew is a great idea, the game takes its time before it truly hits its stride. However, if you’re here for the chaotic, theme-park-like experience that Like a Dragon is known for rather than a deep narrative, you’re going to have a blast.

A Like a Dragon-Themed Amusement Park

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is a lighthearted, action-packed spin-off that fits perfectly alongside the series’ most absurd side entries. With Goro Majima as a pirate captain, the premise is as ridiculous as it is entertaining, focusing more on new mechanics—such as navigation, ship takeovers, and crew management—rather than a deep story, which takes a while to gain momentum. That said, the game never forgets what makes the series special: a world packed with minigames, absurd side missions, and over-the-top antics. It’s not a game that reinvents the franchise, but if you’re looking for something to tide you over while waiting for the next main entry, it does the job perfectly.

-Gergely Herpai “BadSector”-

Publisher: Sega

Developer: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio

Style: Action-adventure

Release date: February 21, 2025