The Like a Dragon series has captured fans’ hearts with its iconic characters, and Goro Majima is no exception. Famously known as the Mad Dog of Shimano, Majima’s antics, especially in early games like Yakuza Kiwami where he’d ambush Kiryu in various disguises, have always been memorable. Now, after several years, Majima returns to the spotlight in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. This story unfolds post-Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, with Majima suffering from amnesia and adopting the life of a pirate in his quest to regain his lost memories.
Recently, Game Rant had the chance to dive into a couple of hours with Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, focusing particularly on its naval gameplay. Although our glimpse into Majima’s character development was limited, RGG Studio promised that the charismatic Mad Dog of Shimano would indeed steal the show. His more composed nature contrasts with his past wild escapades, adding depth to his character that fans are sure to appreciate. In terms of gameplay, taking to the high seas was immediately engaging, lighting up our experience with its fresh approach.
Our hands-on session broke down into three distinct parts, the first being our sail from Rich Island to Madlantis after a bit of ship enhancement. The aim was to reach Madlantis and prove our mettle in the Pirate Colosseum. Before this journey, Majima had ventured to Hawaii for ship upgrades and honed his fighting prowess in two styles: the nimble, knife-wielding Mad Dog style, and the Sea Dog style, which mixes pirate elements into Like a Dragon’s action-packed combat, featuring a charged pistol and cutlass.
Each style has special abilities tied to Majima’s Madness Gauge. As Mad Dog, Majima conjures doppelgangers to fight alongside him, creating stunning combo opportunities. The RGG Studio cheekily attributes it to Majima’s unique flair. Alternatively, filling up the Sea Dog Madness Gauge brings about a mystical summon: a shark, parrot, ape, or jellyfish, each with its own battlefield effects.
On Rich Island, we tackled a formidable bounty, quelled a band of troublesome pirates, and prepped our vessel. Along the way, we delighted in bonding with animals by providing them with different feeds. You’d find creatures like a cow and a Shiba Inu mix waiting around for a treat. Meanwhile, on our ship, we kept an eye on the crew’s strengths, organized parties to boost morale, and indulged in the classic Like a Dragon karaoke, as expected.
Once our business on Rich Island was complete, it was time to set sail for Madlantis. We decided to fast-travel to a nearby Lighthouse to ease into the sea journey. For those who enjoyed the nautical feel of Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag, the controls here feel remarkably familiar, though with a distinctive Like a Dragon twist. Adventurous players can scale the Crow’s nest for a view or even engage in some on-deck karaoke. As we traversed the waters, we encountered environmental challenges like wind tunnels for speed and hazards like whirlpools and lightning, providing an exhilarating early taste of seafaring without overwhelming difficulty.
During our voyage, we engaged in several ship battles, though boarding wasn’t yet an option. With cannons flanking both sides, strategic positioning was crucial, while the front-mounted machine gun proved more than adequate against less fortified ships. Our hearts raced with excitement as we drifted and fired, perfectly capturing the pirate essence within Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii.
Players can also seize territories on the map, triggering all-out brawls against clustered pirates as their crew battles hundreds. Here, a charged pistol became handy for dispatching weaker opponents, while tougher enemies demanded focused attention.
Upon reaching Madlantis, we explored the vibrant hub. The island brimmed with mini-games and an array of NPCs ready to join our crew under certain conditions—whether that be through triumph in battles or monetary persuasion. Our diverse recruits included a former beauty of the seas and other colorful characters, who later accompanied us to the Pirate Colosseum. There, a lively cutscene unfolded, with gamblers placing odds against us and the Pirate Queen and King observing our every move.
Unlike traditional LaD Colosseum fights, the Pirate Colosseum involves dynamic naval combat. After cascading down a waterfall, a showdown began in an aquatic arena. Successfully boarding enemy ships allowed our quirky crew, featuring adults in diapers and masked fighters, to demonstrate their unique skills. The gameplay here held its ground against titles like AC: Black Flag, albeit with less emphasis on plundering for ship repairs.
Post-battle, we explored the different modes offered by the Pirate Colosseum, namely Quick Clash, Tournament of Captains, and Swashbuckler Showdown. Each mode presented unique challenges and foes, from Biker Pirates to irradiated adversaries. A word of caution about the fiery new flamethrowers—they’re potent but limited in range, often requiring precise timing to maximize damage. Experimenting with a rocket launcher from the deck was thrilling, though ultimately impractical as we absorbed heavy damage as easy targets.
The newfound Pirate Colosseum was a refreshing spin on LaD’s usual battles, seamlessly integrating naval warfare and team-building elements. Fans with an affinity for past Colosseum challenges will find much to enjoy, particularly with its depth added by crew management and strategic gameplay. Few might have predicted this franchise’s pivot to pirate-themed adventures, but both Like a Dragon and pirate enthusiasts are in for a treat. It authentically captures the pirate fantasy, and with LaD’s usual storytelling prowess, Majima’s journey promises to be one worth following.
From here, we had some additional time to explore, leading us to encounter Devil Flags scattered across the open seas. These trickier foes required calculated engagement, generating continuous action without too much downtime. Constant discovery kept us on edge, including a special loot catalog for completionists keen on uncovering every ocean secret.
Although we didn’t linger in Hawaii long, revisiting areas from Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth highlighted RGG Studio’s clever asset management. We managed a quick round of Crazy Delivery, checked out a heartwarming side story with whimsical themes, and capped our visit with a Dragon Kart race.
Looking forward, there are still pieces to piece together, particularly around Majima’s trajectory following The Man Who Erased His Name’s handling of Kiryu. These standalone Gaiden games offer an exciting extension of the LaD universe, spotlighting individual characters while Ichiban leads the main series’ charge. Fans will be eagerly anticipating more story developments as release approaches, especially considering how narrative-driven these games typically are.
But there’s little doubt that the gameplay will hold its own. It’s a creative fusion of Like a Dragon’s action-packed traditions with the swashbuckling thrill of AC4: Black Flag, sprinkled with iconic mini-games. If the story delivers as past RGG titles have, then Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii looks set to be a treasure trove of pirate adventures.
