Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii Should Replicate One Gaiden Quest

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As a dedicated follower of Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio’s works since their humble beginnings with the Yakuza series, I eagerly anticipate the release of Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii next year. The studio has consistently delivered captivating stories and memorable characters, and this spin-off promises to be no exception.

The prospect of Goro Majima’s adventures in Hawaii is already enticing, but I can’t help but reminisce about one of my favorite side quests from Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name – the crossover with the Judgment series. The chance to see Majima interact with characters like Kaito, Toru Higashi, and Fumiya Sugiura would be a delightful treat for fans of both series.

Imagine Majima trying to manage his pirate crew while also dealing with Yagami Kaito’s antics! Or perhaps Sugiura and Makoto Tsukumo showing up in Hawaii as representatives of the Yokohama 99 detective agency after the events of Lost Judgment. The possibilities are endless, and I can’t help but think that this crossover could lay the foundation for future Gaiden games featuring cameos from other RGG Studios series.

Now, let me share a little joke to lighten the mood: If they decide to make a third Judgment game set in Hawaii, I’ll be waiting with bated breath… and a Hawaiian shirt, of course! After all, who doesn’t love a good pun? Aloha, fellow fans! Let’s hope for more exciting crossovers in the future.

In 2025, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, the developer behind “Like a Dragon”, has a busy schedule ahead. The announcements of new projects like “Virtua Fighter” and the enigmatic “Project Century” have fans buzzing, but one game that’s definite is set to launch early in the year. Players can expect to return to familiar grounds with “Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii”, slated for release in February 2025. This time around, they’ll once again step into the shoes of beloved character Goro Majima. However, it seems that Majima isn’t the only recognizable figure players might encounter in this game.

As a longtime fan of the Yakuza series, I have played countless hours of the mainline titles and their spin-offs, immersing myself in the rich storylines and engaging side quests that the franchise offers. Having followed the development of the upcoming game, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, it is clear to me that while it may not reach the same scale as a mainline title like 2024’s Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, it will still be more robust than its predecessor, Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name. With this in mind, I am excited to see how the game may follow a similar narrative structure to that of Gaiden, opening the door for a hefty amount of side content. This gives me hope that it will replicate one of the best side quests in Like a Dragon Gaiden, which featured a cameo from another RGG series, and I can’t wait to see what surprises await me in this tropical setting.

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii Should Feature a Judgment Cameo

In the capacity of being a spin-off title, Like a Dragon Gaiden had the ability to incorporate elements from the broader RGG universe, even referencing the Judgment series, which hadn’t intersected with Like a Dragon before, despite both being set within the same universe. In Gaiden, players can engage in the Akame Network Request End the Destruction mission, where Kiryu joins forces with Masaharu Kaito, one of the main characters from the Judgment series. This side quest offers a delightful crossover experience for fans of both RGG series, and it’s recommended that Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii doesn’t pass up on this chance to enjoy it as well.

In the final quest of Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Destruction, Kiryu interacts not only with Kaito but also characters from Judgment, such as Toru Higashi and Fumiya Sugiura. If a game like Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii were to be made, it could bring an exciting dynamic since we haven’t seen these characters interact before in either series. It would be interesting if both Sugiura and Makoto Tsukumo appeared in the game as representatives of the 99 detective agency from Yokohama, following the events of Lost Judgment.

It’s plausible that characters Sugiura and Tsukumo, who appeared briefly in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, might also be included in the next game, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii.

A Third Judgment Game Could Be Teased in Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii

After the release of Judgment and its follow-up, Lost Judgment, many fans are eagerly anticipating a third installment in the series, potentially set in Hawaii, following the pattern of Lost Judgment being situated in Isezaki Ijincho after Yakuza: Like a Dragon. If such a third Judgment game were to be developed, introducing some characters in Hawaii for a brief appearance as “Pirate Yakuza” could be a smart move. This would also pave the way for other “side story” games in the Like a Dragon series to include cameos from other RGG Studios titles.

As a long-time fan of the Yakuza series, I eagerly anticipate the release of Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, especially since it brings the potential for characters from Judgment to make an appearance as recruitable pirate allies. Having played both Judgment and its spin-off Gaiden, I can’t help but see the similarities between Sugiura’s recruitment in the Colosseum and this new opportunity for some of my favorite Judgment characters to join Majima’s crew.

Though it may seem a bit far-fetched to explain why certain Judgment characters would be in Hawaii, I believe that this crossover could lay the groundwork for the future of the franchise and keep fans engaged while RGG Studio works on Virtua Fighter and Project Century. As someone who has followed the series since its inception, I am excited to see how these possibilities unfold and can’t wait to set sail with my favorite characters in a new Yakuza adventure.

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2024-12-30 02:37