Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii Hands-On Preview

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii Hands-On Preview

As a seasoned gamer with years of Yakuza games under my belt, I can confidently say that the upcoming “Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii” is a game I can’t wait to get my hands on. Goro Majima, the Mad Dog of Shimano, has always been a fan-favorite character, and his solo adventure as a pirate captain promises to be one of the series’ funniest and most action-packed yet.


In the upcoming game “Like a Dragon: Pirate Majima in Hawaii“, the infamous Goro Majima switches roles once more, this time as a pirate captain. Sailing aboard his ship, the Goromaru, he gathers an elite crew, embarks on exciting sea voyages across the islands of Hawaii, participates in fierce battles both ashore and at sea, and even finds moments to croon a few tunes at the karaoke bar. “Like a Dragon: Pirate Majima in Hawaii” is the latest installment in the popular series, offering a humorous nautical adventure for fans, putting their beloved character, Majima, front and center.

A pirate-yakuza themed game set in Hawaii offers everything fans adore: action-packed battles, expansive landscapes to traverse, and humorous side activities and mini-games. This package is served with the distinctive, zany style of Majima, hinting at a title that could be among the series’ funniest. Game Rant had a quick taste of the game, and though the main storyline is still shrouded in mystery, it’s clear that Goro Majima’s solo journey is worth keeping tabs on.

The Mad Dog And The Sea Dog

Instead of continuing with the turn-based RPG combat like Yakuza: Like a Dragon and its sequel Infinite Wealth, Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii chooses to go back to the series’ original real-time action style, much like Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name. In this iteration, Majima can utilize both his signature Mad Dog style, armed with daggers and moving swiftly across the battlefield, as well as the new pirate-themed Sea Dog style. Although it seems like a return to traditional gameplay, combat remains engaging due to Majima’s quick pace and unending dynamism. Additionally, the Sea Dog style introduces a new dimension to the gameplay experience.

In case you’ve played Goro Majima’s parts in Yakuza 0, the Mad Dog fighting style may seem somewhat recognizable to you. This style emphasizes speed, allowing Majima to get close to enemies and perform aerial combo attacks with his daggers. He can either sprint quickly between fights or adopt a defensive stance during them. As Majima attacks, he builds up a Madness Gauge. Using Heat Actions accelerates this process. When the Madness Gauge is full, the Mad Dog transforms, unleashing doppelgangers that can attack in various ways, just like Majima himself. Fighting one Majima is intimidating enough, but now you might encounter five at once!

In contrast to the close-quarters brawling of regular combat, Sea Dog mode allows Majima to employ a diverse arsenal of pirate weapons, blending old and new. He carries a pistol, twin cutlasses that can be hurled like boomerangs, and a wire grappling hook capable of ensnaring even the swiftest adversaries. The Heat Actions in Like a Dragon‘s Sea Dog style are particularly noteworthy – the captain of the Goromaru seems to encircle his foe with his legs, setting them ablaze as he chokes them. The transition between these two fighting styles during battle is seamless and intuitive, encouraging players to explore both the Mad Dog and Sea Dog approaches, rather than relying on a single style.

Exploring Land and Sea In Signature Yakuza Style

In keeping with the series’ custom, there’s plenty more to explore beyond the main narrative and combat scenes. A rich assortment of side activities and mini-games reminiscent of the Like a Dragon series are up for grabs, not only in Hawaii but also in places like Madlantis, an enigmatic pirate haven built from shipwrecks. The demo showcased merely a fraction of what players can expect in the full game.

Dragon Kart Racing makes a comeback in the latest installment, having been missing from the previous game, Infinite Wealth. Players now have the chance to compete against Hawaii’s top racers on fresh tracks. Majima can gather power-ups like guns and rocket launchers to throw off his rivals. The chaotic delivery mini-game, Crazy Delivery, also reappears from Infinite Wealth, where Majima races to deliver various meals to hungry customers. And let’s not forget the beloved karaoke feature, offering a mix of classic and new tunes for Majima to belt out – maybe even a few sea shanties this time!

During the demo presentation, several side activities were subtly suggested rather than fully demonstrated. These included gambling in Madlantis, fierce crew competitions at the Pirate Coliseum, and a reappearance of the social app Aloha Links from Infinite Wealth. Additionally, players can personalize both Majima’s attire and that of his new pet, a young tiger named Goro. The developers have made it possible for players to explore gender expression in a sensitive manner without resorting to jokes or negative comments. Majima can wear makeup, acrylic nails, high heels, and even the wig from his former hostess disguise, and these choices are not met with mockery or criticism within the game.

The Mystery Of Captain Goro Majima

In the introduction of “Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii“, the creators intentionally withheld the main storyline’s details, revealing only three key points: Goro Majima is afflicted by amnesia, believes himself to be a pirate captain, and clashes with various crews based in Honolulu and Madlantis. This has sparked numerous questions in the audience. For instance, how did Majima lose his memory? (A more intriguing question might be – how could he forget his significant history with “Kiryu-chan”?) Why did he choose piracy as a new path? Who is the enigmatic leader of Madlantis? And, above all else – what is the backstory behind the cute tiger cub, affectionately referred to as Goro, who joins Majima on his new voyage?

Regardless of the tale that “Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii” ultimately unfolds, it’s guaranteed to be both gripping and sidesplitting. Just from the demo, it’s evident that each scene will pulse with Majima’s trademark anarchic allure. The game is bursting at the seams with the spirit of Goro Majima, from his exuberant “Yaaaay!” cries as he accelerates in Dragon Kart to his distinct approach of gathering crafting materials by firing them with his grappling hook.

The hook may serve double duty as a means for traversing structures in specific areas across Hawaii, thereby injecting an exciting dimension of height into the gameplay experience. Be cautious, Spider-Man, for a fresh adversary has emerged on the scene, and he goes by the name Goro Majima.

In a unique way, Goro Majima personalized this game by giving his ship, team, and baby tiger the same name. Plus, he sported an attention-grabbing black snakeskin pirate coat. Indeed, this Majima-focused adventure is long-awaited by fans who’ve missed him for years, yet it also offers a fun starting point for newcomers to the series who are just discovering this captivating character.

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2024-09-26 21:44