Xbox has unexpectedly expanded Game Pass with one of the first action RPGs of 2025. The newest Yakuza entry is already playable “for free” through the subscription. Between the January and February game batches, SEGA and Microsoft have included Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii in the service.

Although we usually receive updates on upcoming Xbox Game Pass titles every two weeks, Microsoft occasionally goes off-script and strengthens the catalog with surprise additions – and these are far from minor releases. This time, the company has quietly enriched its monthly subscription service with Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, the latest Yakuza game from SEGA and RGG Studio.

As noted, without any prior announcement or hint from either Microsoft or SEGA, this Like A Dragon spin-off has joined the service ahead of the officially scheduled additions for the coming days. It has quickly become one of the most unexpected arrivals of the month, giving players access to one of the most eccentric and charming projects in a series that has become one of Japan’s most distinctive gaming exports.

The Latest Yakuza Takes Us To Hawaii With Goro Majima

This installment acts as a direct spin-off of 2024’s Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth, the last major original Yakuza title, and places the spotlight on Goro Majima, Kazuma Kiryu’s longtime rival and ally. The story leaves Japan behind and moves to Hawaii, where Majima wakes up after a shipwreck with no memory of his past, not even his own name. From that point, he sets out to recover his memories alongside Noah, the young man who saved him, while becoming entangled in a conflict involving criminals, modern-day pirates, and treasure hunters.

Gameplay brings back the series’ classic real-time combat system, emphasizing direct and flashy encounters, supported by a wide range of minigames and pirate-themed sections. Naval battles are also featured and unfold in real time, allowing players to steer their ship, evade cannon fire, and board enemy vessels to resolve conflicts up close.

The combat system stands out thanks to the option to switch between two distinct styles. “Mad Dog” focuses on speed, agility, and precise strikes, while “Sea Dog” leans into a pirate-inspired approach, using dual short swords and special tools that increase variety and spectacle in fights. According to RGG Studio, this dual-style mechanic is designed to reward player creativity with over-the-top combos and relentless action.

Source: 3djuegos