Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii – Everything We Know

If you love the Like a Dragon series, it’s time to buckle up for a new and exciting experience. The developers are piecing together a new title that promises one of the most immersive experiences in the series. With an expansive world with more locations and new combat features, you are guaranteed an unprecedented pirate adventure. The game’s full release is still a couple of months away, but a lot is already out. Here’s a quick tour of Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii – everything we know.

What is Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii?

As expected, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is an upcoming installment in the Like a Dragon franchise. It is a sequel to Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, with its events happening six months after the prequel. The game has been termed a spin-off of the franchise, but it maintains the developer Ryu Ga Gototku Studio and Sega as the publisher. The title’s release will allow the Like a Dragon fan base to dive into the savage world of a pirate yakuza out to conquer the sea. 

Story

The story in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii revolves around the life of the recurrent protagonist in the Like a Dragon series, Goro Majima. It’s months after the events of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, and somehow, Goro Majima awakens, lost on an island. The ex-Yakuza was apparently shipwrecked and was saved by a boy named Noah. He has no memories of anything about his past life, including his name. Majima sets sail into the Pacific, accompanied by Noah, in an attempt to gather clues and reawaken his memories.

However, they are not long into their drift before the mission takes a twist. They are embroiled in a conflict with Hawaiian pirates and other ruthless criminals over a grand treasure. Majima quickly gathers a crew and becomes the pirate captain. With his new one-of-a-kind gang, they set out to find the legendary treasure as the captain tries to piece together his memories.

Gameplay

Swing into the exhilarating Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii gameplay as Goro Majima, the only playable character in the game. Noah is now an important figure in your squad and ends up recruiting even his father among Majima’s unexpected friendships. You are now up in arms with your crew as you explore the Pacific and the surrounding locations. Move from deep into the sea to the harsh island of criminals, the Madlantis. Explore and learn about the Rich and Nele Islands or move to Infinite Wealth’s main area, Honolulu.

You are immersed in epic action-adventure gameplay, employing fast-paced beat ‘em up combat full of color. Take on the enemies in on-land battles before proceeding to brawl it up aboard the ships with the deadly cannons. As captain, you have two skittish combat styles to unleash on foes. Pull the signature Mad-Dog style that attacks with speed and precision or the swords and pistols Sea-Dog style to deliver devastating action. Majima can also pull other combat stunts like jumping, mid-air jiggles, and attack combos that stun the enemy.

Get your ship and crew together and secure upgrades for your ship. And when you spot an enemy vessel, it’s time to break out terror with the cannons. Tune your ship into position and avoid the enemy fire. Deal brutal damage to their ship, board the vessel, and engage in a faction battle. Neutralize their captain and make away with their loot like a real pirate.

Besides the land and sea battles, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii includes several other minigames drawn from other Like a Dragon games. Players can enjoy the Karaoke, Masaru’s Love Journey, Dragon Kart, and Crazy Delivery. 

Development

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii was developed by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio and published by Sega. The game’s development began right before the team dropped Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth. The devs resolved to make it a standalone expansion of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth following the success of the 2023 Like a Dragon Gaiden. Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Home was a franchise spin-off and simply a trial title. It featured a pretty small size and scale, but following its success, the team decided to delve deeper into Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii.

The development director hinted about the game for the first time in December 2023. Yokoyama revealed that the game’s story would be at least 1.3 times larger than in Like a Dragon Gaiden. The game will also have a more expansive world thanks to the addition of new areas. Hawaii, however, remains the primary location. Finally, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii was officially revealed in September 2024. During the RGG Summit 2024 Livestream, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio introduced their upcoming title and the voice cast. 

Trailer

The announcement of Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii came along with a rather long announcement trailer. Unlike most games, the title features a 7-minute announcement trailer that adequately portrays all the game’s aspects. The trailer, however, features both gameplay and non-gameplay footage. It begins with Goro Majima walking towards a royal chair before settling on it and talking. A sequence of events that explain the game’s main story follows. From Majima awakening shipwrecked at the shores where Noah rescues him to the deep gameplay action. You can watch the trailer on YouTube or on the Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii Steam page.

Release Date & Platforms

Following the announcement in September, fans will have to wait a few months to play the game. Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is set to premiere on February 28, 2025. The game will be released worldwide for Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S. Fans can, however, preorder the game, which is available in the Standard, Deluxe, and Collector’s editions.

So, what’s your take on the upcoming release of the game Like a Drago: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii? Will you pre-order the game pending its release? Let us know your thoughts here on our socials or down in the comments.