Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza In Hawaii Review

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In this day and age when video game developers often compromise either quality or length, I find myself consistently grateful to RGG Studio for their exceptional Yakuza series. With countless hours spent immersed in their expansive collection, they’ve earned my unwavering loyalty.

After Kiryu’s formal goodbye, I pondered about where the series might head following the emotional conclusion of “Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth“. And indeed, at the 2024 Summit live stream, they provided an impressive response to my curiosity.

In the newest installment, “Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii,” we find ourselves immersed in another captivating story within the series. Notably, it brings back the beloved character, Goro Majima, as the main playable hero, a wish come true for fans since his last appearance in “Yakuza 0.

Allow me to share this with you: It turns out, there isn’t anyone more suited for the leading role in a swashbuckling pirate yarn set amidst the hazardous seas of Hawaii than our beloved one-eyed Mad Dog.

For any fellow enthusiasts out there, I believe you’ll find this intriguing. For those who are curious about how it compares to its predecessors, let me clarify that today, I’m going to address that question and explain why it’s the perfect choice for fans of Majima in particular.

The Mad Dog’s Amnesiac Resurgence

In a different context, one might say that while curiosity is said to have caused a cat’s demise, for Goro Majima, it was more like forgetting his past that led to him being put out to pasture, much like Old Yeller.

When I discovered that Majima’s so-called amnesia was a significant storyline element for the initial stages of this game, I couldn’t help but question how this fresh development in the series would play out, as it seemed contrived and unconvincingly added to the plot.

To my delight, I didn’t find it as contrived as I initially thought. Majima’s amnesia seems to serve him advantageously, providing his character with a sort of temporary reboot and fresh perspective—a clean slate devoid of the remorseful past he carried in the Yakuza.

Revisiting Majima’s distinctive, enthusiastic persona following the back-and-forth between Ichiban and Kiryu feels incredibly rewarding to me. It makes the long wait since his solo game in Yakuza 0 feel like a satisfying conclusion.

It’s quite clear that Majima’s fresh perspective emerges when he encounters Noah and his family on Rich Island. Although the amnesia erased his character’s original craziness, it exposed a previously hidden gentle side of him through his interactions with Noah.

As a fervent admirer, I’d say my connection with Noah mirrors nothing but a heartwarming, sincere bond. We’re like comrades embarking on an exhilarating adventure from the very beginning to the end, and this journey, though it might resemble a grand treasure hunt, boasts all the thrilling elements reminiscent of an Indiana Jones movie epic.

Typically, a secondary character like Noah may appear bothersome, but through his conversations at Drink Link and bonding moments with Majima during gameplay, it becomes clear that he is someone you would go to great lengths to safeguard.

Apart from Noah, the game effectively stirs up the thrilling essence of piracy that one would associate with this profession. Characters such as Masaru, a talented cook on board, and Noah’s father, Jason, contribute to this immersion.

Despite not being a typical party-based JRPG, the strong bonds between Majima, his Goro Pirates, and Noah throughout the game clearly demonstrate the level of thoughtfulness and dedication put into developing these characters, similar to how important Majima is portrayed.

Experiencing Majima’s distinctive, over-the-top persona again after the back-and-forth with Ichiban and Kiryu feels incredibly invigorating to me. It makes the long wait since Yakuza 0 for his own game feel like a satisfying conclusion.

A Tale Of Cannons, Plunder & Sea Shanties

Speaking about the game I’m reviewing, it might be tempting to remark, but one of the games that truly captivated me during my childhood on the Xbox 360 was Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag. To this very day, its naval combat continues to be a topic of admiration and discussion among players.

Though games similar to “Skull & Bones” attempted to match it but fell short, let me assure you that RGG Studio stands out as the one who has done it best with their pulse-pounding naval combat in “Pirate Yakuza”. This action takes place on the treacherous seas of Hawaii.

In this version, the focus is on the exceptional performance of RGG Studio and the thrilling naval combat in Pirate Yakuza, while still highlighting that other games tried to replicate a similar experience but failed to do so effectively.

In addition to engaging in battles, there is also regular oceanic exploration, teeming with enemy ships on patrol and islands fortified like dungeons that hide treasure chests or allow for the capture of enemy strongholds.

RGG deliberately infused an extraordinarily cheerful element into the game, and while it can become somewhat repetitive near the end, let me clarify the nautical battles.

Your Goromaru vessel is adaptable for various enhancements that boost its durability: additional firepower through new cannon installations, an increased team of sailors, and a diverse range of cosmetic modifications for a unique and eye-catching appearance, much like Majima’s fashion choices.

Excitement kicks in once past that point: sinking adversary vessels on the ocean or battleground of Madlantis using laser cannons, shark cannons, ice-cold machine guns, rocket launchers, and even a hailstorm of flamethrowers.

Given the context of the Yakuza series, it’s evident that the creators of Ryu Ga Gotoku (RGG) let their creativity soar, offering an almost boundless open-world environment for you to explore. This includes sailing the seas and engaging any hostile ships with your extensive collection of weaponry.

These unconventional choices won’t simply lead you into a reckless charge. It’s crucial to employ strategic thinking while skillfully navigating and controlling the Goromaru, ensuring you don’t find yourself trapped in a dangerous crossfire by enemy firepower.

In larger conflicts against stronger enemy vessels, a strategic perspective becomes essential because you must carefully allocate your crew throughout Goromaru’s various compartments to inflict and absorb maximum damage effectively.

Familiarity with the Black Flag doesn’t stop here. Once you sink an adversary’s command ship, you have the opportunity to start a Deck Boarding sequence. During this action-packed event, Majima and his crew engage the enemy in an intense, all-out melee.

Aside from engaging in battles, there’s also the standard exploration of the vast ocean teeming with enemy patrol ships and mysterious islands fortified like dungeons, containing hidden treasures to discover or enemy territories to seize.

Apart from battle encounters, you’ll find yourself exploring the expansive sea, which is patrolled by various enemy ships and hosts island strongholds that could be either treasure troves or enemy outposts waiting to be conquered.

The feeling of smooth navigation is achieved by the many speed gates distributed throughout each section of the map, allowing for faster travel between points compared to the standard fast-travel options from the Lighthouse checkpoints.

As a gamer, I’ve found that the naval battles in Madlantis Coliseum can become a bit monotonous towards the end, especially when I’m striving to conquer each challenge. The opposition fleets just keep getting tougher and tougher as I progress, which makes the combat feel repetitive over time.

At times while casually navigating the ocean, I found myself yearning to jump ahead to my goal and avoid the majority of the unexpected sea battles that cropped up approximately every half-mile on the chart.

No Sugar Coating From The Captain

I would never have thought to witness Majima, now in his sixties, executing air juggle combos and throwing cutlasses like boomerangs with such ease. Yet, the creators of Yakuza (RGG) have managed this seemingly illogical feat, and it’s nothing short of magnificent.

In “Yakuza 0,” the Mad Dog fighting style was flashy but still lacked depth, later becoming almost insignificant in “Kiwami 2.” Now, it has evolved to a level that could challenge Dante from “DMC” in terms of fluidity and responsiveness.

From my perspective as a devoted fan, you’re now equipped with the fresh Sea Dog style! This allows you to slice through adversaries with Majima’s cutlasses, blast them away with your sidearm, and even wildly launch yourself across the fray using the grappling hook! What an exhilarating experience!

If you appreciate the complex mechanics of the show’s battle system, there are numerous techniques you could perfect to execute endless ground juggling combos or even interrupt certain moves to maintain the sequence uninterrupted.

The impressive structures of both styles and heights were established upon the exceptional bases laid by “Like a Dragon Gaiden” and “Lost Judgment,” two RGG titles that boast some of the finest beat-em-up brawler combat systems.

A Yakuza game wouldn’t feel complete without an abundance of supplementary activities to enrich the core narrative. Players of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, including myself, are accustomed to these activities and will appreciate the familiar cameos sprinkled throughout.

In the game Pirate Yakuza, most mini-games make a return, including Majima’s laps-running spree as an over-energetic Uber Eats driver in Crazy Eats and the high-speed races of Dragon Kart, where we scorch rubber once more.

It seems like a delightful catch-up with all the NPCs from the mini-games and significant side-stories since the occurrences of “Infinite Wealth“. However, I must admit, my feelings about these returning mini-games are somewhat ambivalent.

I really enjoy how mini-games such as Sicko Snap have been given a slight refresh to feel new, but it still feels quite similar to what I encountered last year. As for Pirate Majima, I found myself not motivated to complete many of its harder stages or difficulties.

As a gamer, I found myself immersed mainly in savoring the fresh content, like the thrilling Pirate Coliseum in Madlantis or the quest to track down every Minato Girl, adding humor to Masaharu’s endearing romantic subplot.

Plenty Of Freedom In The Seas

For those diving into the Yakuza series for the first time, it can be quite challenging to grasp all its offerings given the numerous installments available. Regrettably, this new addition serves as a direct sequel to “Infinite Wealth,” so playing that preceding game is advisable to fully appreciate some of the narrative context.

In this game, you have the freedom to jump in and start playing, as the narrative primarily revolves around Majima and his group, much like an Indiana Jones film in terms of its overall structure.

As a gamer, I wouldn’t anticipate a Yakuza game to be an emotional rollercoaster like Gaiden was. It’s not necessarily a downside; I’m fine with the fact that RGG chose to adopt a more heroic and less somber approach for this game.

Despite temporarily sidelining certain antagonists, this tale promises an enjoyable experience as you delve into the mystery of the legendary hidden treasure. The narrative quality, which surpasses that of “Infinite Wealth” in certain sections, will keep you engaged throughout.

Regardless of whether the primary storyline transforms into a game of hide and seek, this title offers a rich layer of personal engagement, particularly for characters connected to Majima that have returned from prior versions.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but appreciate the unique allure these interactions bring to the game. The Bond Chats with Majima out on the open sea are a delightful treat for many of us, as they offer a fresh perspective on his character that we haven’t seen before.

To emphasize the playful essence of this game, the sub-stories are unexpectedly high-quality, brimming with humorous instances and a few dramatic ones as well. They significantly surpass the quality of what was presented in Gaiden, which wasn’t particularly challenging to improve upon.

I’m excited about the upcoming titles from Ryosuke Horii and his team, as the original soundtrack featuring a variety of Karaoke songs, the Goro Pirate anthem, and tracks for boss fights has piqued my interest.

Closing Comments:

In a nod to Majima’s dedicated fanbase who have admired his character since its inception, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza is like a heartfelt tribute. The developers at RGG have skillfully recreated the vintage Pirate era with engaging and uncomplicated naval combat that echoes arcade games, as well as immersive sea exploration for hours of enjoyable wandering. Although there’s some repetition from Infinite Wealth, this game offers enough fresh elements to keep you captivated, such as its numerous intriguing substories and the Madlantis Pirate Coliseum. While the main story may falter in pacing at times, Majima’s captivating personality, alongside his crew of Goro Pirates, maintains your interest until the end of this delightful journey. Through this adventure, you’ll come to understand why he stands out among characters like Kiryu Kazuma and Ichiban Kasuga.

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2025-02-18 18:12