LaD: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii Establishes a Precedent for Gaiden Games

LaD: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii Establishes a Precedent for Gaiden Games

As a longtime fan of the Yakuza series, I can hardly contain my excitement over the latest addition to the franchise: Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. Ever since Majima’s electrifying appearances in Yakuza Kiwami 2, I’ve been yearning for more of his antics, and this game seems like it’ll be the perfect fix.


At the latest RGG Summit, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio unveiled their upcoming “Like a Dragon” game titled “Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii“. Remarkably, this new installment is set to arrive only a year after “Like a Dragon 8: Infinite Wealth“, and notably features the beloved character Goro Majima as a playable character for the first time since “Yakuza Kiwami 2“. This marks the first time he will be the main protagonist of his own game. Additionally, the pirate theme and the incorporation of limited aerial combat have generated much excitement among fans, making them eagerly anticipate “Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii“.

From me, as a dedicated fan: Six months post-events from Yakuza 8 finds me, Kiryu Majima, awakening amnesiac on the tropical shores of Hawaii. With my past haze, I dive headfirst into the seafaring life, seeking to reclaim my memories and perhaps some hidden riches along the way. The game’s appeal lies not only in the revival of Yakuza’s thrilling real-time combat from Like a Dragon Gaiden and an innovative ship combat system akin to Assassin’s Creed 4, but primarily in what it promises for Like a Dragon’s future.

Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii Has Made A Series Out Of LaD Gaiden

The title “Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii” is changed to “Like a Dragon 8 Gaiden: Pirates In Hawaii” in Japanese. It’s common for titles in the “Yakuza,” “Like a Dragon,” or “Ryu ga Gotoku” series to vary regionally, but this Japanese title provides some additional information. Firstly, “Pirates In Hawaii” is associated with “Like a Dragon 8” as a spin-off. Secondly, and more significantly, it’s been categorized as another “Gaiden” game, which marks the emergence of a new subseries within the “Like a Dragon” series.

Gaiden Is Already LaD’s Most Prolific Spin-off

In contrast to the numerous spin-off series within the LaD franchise, the Gaiden games hold a unique edge over their samurai-era games and portable Black Panther counterparts. For now, until something like Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii or future installments contradict this, the Gaiden series is on par with the numbered Like a Dragon games in terms of canonical status. These games delve into the adventures of significant characters within the Like a Dragon universe other than Ichiban Kasuga and the new protagonist introduced in LaD 7 and onwards, and they shift from turn-based combat to the action-RPG brawls characteristic of the original Yakuza series. It seems that the Gaiden subseries is here to stay, and fortunately, it has plenty of unexplored territory left.

Like a Dragon Gaiden Will Likely Keep Highlighting Yakuza Protagonists

In the game titled “Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name,” we find Kazuma Kiryu as the main character. On the other hand, “Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii” will showcase Goro Majima. Both these characters were previously featured in the “Yakuza” series and could use their own spin-off games during Kasuga’s era. However, they are not the only ones who deserve a standalone game. The “Gaiden” series could easily fit alongside “Judgment” as an additional offering during the off years of main “Like a Dragon” (LaD) series. By doing so, it would continue to introduce more older “Yakuza” characters and significant figures. There is no shortage of suitable candidates for future “Gaiden” games, ensuring its longevity. The series has numerous possibilities when choosing its next protagonist.

Predicting The Next LaD Gaiden’s Lead Character

In the absence of Ichiban’s party members until a clear precedent is established, other playable characters apart from Majima could step into solo roles. These include Shun Akiyama, Taiga Saejima, Masayoshi Tanimura, Tatsuo Shinada, and potentially even Haruka herself if a spin-off game centered around the numerous mini-games in Like a Dragon. Important non-playable characters also populate the series, and potential spin-off candidates among them are Daigo Dojima, Makoto Date, and perhaps Ryuji Goda. Regardless of whom the next Yakuza spin-off chooses to focus on, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii has laid the groundwork for numerous similar sequels in the future.

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2024-09-26 13:33