Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii – The Craziest Game You Didn’t Know You Needed
So, picture this: the legendary Goro Majima, but instead of running the streets of Kamurocho, he’s a pirate sailing the Hawaiian seas. Sounds bonkers, right? Well, that’s exactly what you get in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, and trust me, it’s even more insane (and awesome) than you can imagine.
Forget the serious Yakuza dramas. This is a spin-off that fully embraces the series’ trademark wackiness. Imagine assembling a pirate crew that includes a dude in a mascot outfit, a freaking polar bear, and your old pal Ichiban from the last Like a Dragon game. Seriously, who comes up with this stuff?!
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is a wild ride. It combines the best elements of previous Like a Dragon titles with a totally new nautical twist that adds a ton of fun to both the story and the gameplay. It’s not exactly groundbreaking – it does reuse some stuff from its predecessors – but it more than makes up for it with sheer entertainment value.
Setting Sail with Amnesia: The Story
Taking place six months after Infinite Wealth, Pirate Yakuza works just fine as a standalone story. What’s even better, our protagonist, Majima, has amnesia, so the plot feels new to the character and the player. Most of the people you meet are fresh faces that are connected to this brand-new storyline.
The real beauty of Pirate Yakuza lies in its ability to tell a genuinely engaging story amidst all the insanity. While Majima finds himself captaining a pirate ship and assembling a crew of oddballs, he also forms meaningful connections with his new crewmates. For example, he promises a young man named Noah, whose life he saved, to explore the world, something that Noah has never been allowed to do. These scenes showcase a more mature side of Majima.
Pirate Life: Highs, Lows and Treachery
The storyline is not all smooth sailing though. There will be bumps along the road as you try to find a lost treasure, all while navigating the waters. Smaller plots will begin to arise that see Majima reuniting with his old buddies as he tries to help his new buddies from being stabbed in the back. All these layers help to ensure the game stays unique and fresh and not being just one thing.
Brawling on Land and Sea: Combat and Exploration
Unlike the turn-based combat in Infinite Wealth, Pirate Yakuza returns to the beat-em-up action the series is known for. You’ve got two fighting styles to master: Mad Dog, which utilizes Majima’s signature fists and blade for quick combos, and Sea Dog, which gives you dual cutlasses, a grappling rope, and even a gun for some ranged action.
Heat gauges let you unleash powerful attacks, and the “Madness” gauge allows for even more insane ultimate moves that can turn the tide of a tough battle. The fighting feels fast and fluid and fits Majima’s wild style perfectly. You can upgrade each style with new combos and moves, and switch between them on the fly to adapt to any situation.
Pirate Yakuza lets you explore a few key locations, including Honolulu (returning from Infinite Wealth), Rich Island, and Madlantis. But the real twist is that you can also set sail on your own pirate ship and explore the seas.
Don’t expect Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag levels of depth here. Finding treasure islands involves simply sailing to them and beating up all the enemies you find to loot the treasure. It’s simple, but it has that classic arcade feel. Sailing on the ship also is a simple affair, just point to where you want to go, and boom, you are there! Encounters with enemy ships are simple and easy to defeat! However, better ships will take an upgrade!
Once a ship is destroyed, you can initiate a Deck battle and deploy the crew to fight.
A Ship Load of Content
Deck battles are a chaotic blast, with dozens of characters going at it on-screen. You can unleash special commands like defense boosts, healing, or wacky effects that can help or hurt your chances. Plus, you can take part in ship battle tournaments in Madlantis, facing off against crews ranging from sumo wrestlers to robots to office workers. These will reward you with all that precious money!
Pirate Yakuza lets you customize your experience with your ship and your crew. Your choices can have an effect on battles, power ups, reload times and many other aspects!
Recruiting members is also part of the experience! You’ll need to complete Substories. And here, Like a Dragon lives up to their reputation! Each character will have some wacky story that you can help with. There’s a lot to do, from the disturbing to the ridiculous!
FAQs: Got Questions? We’ve Got Answers
- Is this a good starting point for the Like a Dragon series? This game is standalone, so sure.
- How long is this to beat? It depends on how you play, but the main story will last about 15 hours. Expect to spend more time for the rest of the stuff in the game.
Final Thoughts: Set Sail for Insanity!
Despite some reused elements, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is a must-play for any fan of the series. With a zany story, satisfying combat, and a treasure trove of content to explore, it’s a game that will keep you hooked long after the credits roll. So grab your eyepatch, assemble your crew, and get ready for the most ridiculous, action-packed pirate adventure you’ve ever experienced! Arrr!