What the Heck is Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii!?

 Recently revealed at the RGG Summit 2024 is… okay, I know the Like A Dragon series can get weird, but I never expected a freaking PIRATE GAME out of it! Releasing on the 28th of February 2025 is (this is gonna be a mouthful) Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, with fan favourite character Goro Majima taking the lead as the main protagonist. While Majima has been playable before, he was either sharing the spotlight with other characters (like in Yakuza: Dead Souls and Yakuza 0) or was relegated to a side plot or mini-game (such as in Yakuza Kiwami 2 or as a DLC character in Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name). So… what is this fever dream?

Story

The story is pretty wild. Taking place six months after the events of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, Majima has somehow got himself washed up on the fictional Rich Island, not too far from Hawaii.

He may have lost his snakeskin jacket and memories, but he’s still the Mad Dog of Shimano, and handedly takes care of the local pirates causing trouble (not the modern ones on tugboats that use guns, but Pirates of the Caribbean-style ones) and takes command of a ship and its crew to sail the high seas as a pirate captain… in two days. He isn’t alone, however, as he’ll gain allies in several new characters who all happen to conveniently speak Japanese, and features a cute tiger cub. What awaits in this all-new, swashbuckling adventure as he travels to regain his identity?

Characters

A pirate captain is nothing without a crew, so Majima will be joined by a few other characters who are willing to set sail with him, such as Noah and Jason Rich, a father and son duo who helped Majima get back on his feet after washing up on their island. There’s also Masaru Fujita, a chef who convinces Majima to take over as captain.

But a pirate isn’t without his enemies, as people such as former patriarch Teruhiko Shigaki (played by Munetaka Aoki, who plays Majima in the upcoming live-action show), rival pirate Mortimer, and the mysterious Queen Michelle: ruler of Madlantis.

Also, wrestling fans should get a kick out of seeing Samoa Joe being part of the game.

Combat

We’re back to the classic beat em’ up formula, as Majima is still the same powerhouse that is not inflicted with crippling diseases and doesn’t need the help of others to fight at 100% (although, it looks like some side characters will be able to fight as one side character looks to be performing a Heat Action).

Style switching will be making a return in the form of two stances: Mad Dog with his signature Demonfire Dagger and Sea Dog with a pair of twin swords and various sidearms (like flintlock pistols and ropes). Mad Dog seems to be more geared towards smaller groups with stronger, short-ranged attacks and Sea Dog is all about taking care of dozens of enemies at once. We also see the introduction of jumping and air combos as part of Majima’s moveset.

Side Activities

It isn’t Like A Dragon if there isn’t a whole host of mini-games and substories to play. Confirmed to return from previous entries are Crazy Delivery, Dragon Kart, and Karaoke (24-Hour Cinderella confirmed), and we also have a dating show called Masaru’s Love Journey. It’s the ever-slightly uncomfortable excuse to include FMV and real-life girls.

Aside from that, it looks like we’ll also be able to sail around the Seven Seas, find treasure, and raid other ships for loot. Hey, it might be the real pirate experience some may have been waiting for (that isn’t made by Ubisoft).

Also, you get to customise Majima’s clothing. And yes, Goromi is an option.

Locations

Rich Island was mentioned before, but we’ll also be able to visit Hawaii, returning from Infinite Wealth. However, there was a new area: Madlantis, which looks to be like the Castle from Like A Dragon Gaiden: a smaller area where only the scum of the earth may step into, packed with mini-games, shops, and the ever-present coliseum to test your skills and fight the strongest of opponents.

That’s all I could gather from the information currently released. Finally, the long-awaited AAAA game is here. Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is coming out on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC via Steam.

…I thought we were getting a new Judgement game. That fan-made cover is freaking awesome.