"Review of 'Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii': Sailing towards an entertaining expedition"
**Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii** brings a fresh twist to the acclaimed *Like a Dragon* series, as Japanese Yakuza member Goro Majima embarks on a new adventure as a pirate.
Set six months after the events of *Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth*, the game finds Majima stranded on Rich Island in Hawaii with no memories of his past life. He is rescued by a local asthmatic boy named Noah Rich, who forms a pirate crew with Majima, christened the Goro Pirates, named after Noah's pet tiger.
The narrative weaves together a pirate theme with Majima’s yakuza background, exploring themes of memory recovery and adventure. As the story unfolds, Majima becomes embroiled in local conflicts involving Hawaiian pirates and former yakuza from Japan. A post-credits scene reveals Majima’s original motivation was to find an elixir for his friend Kazuma Kiryu, deepening connections to the broader series lore.
Gameplay-wise, *Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii* combines the series' signature beat 'em up combat with new pirate and naval warfare mechanics. Players can engage in exhilarating combat both on land and at sea, sailing between islands, upgrading their pirate ship, and participating in naval battles using diverse weaponry, including laser cannons.
The piracy theme is further enhanced by gameplay elements like deck battles where Majima and his crew fight hordes of enemies. Additionally, the game introduces "dark instruments" — akin to summons or the series' traditional Poundmates — that players gain access to by progressing through the pirate storyline.
Besides the main story, the game offers rich side content through various sub-stories typical of the *Like a Dragon* franchise. Exploration of multiple Hawaiian islands offers a mix of adventure and combat reminiscent of dungeon battles seen in previous series entries. Managing and upgrading the pirate ship and its combat capabilities is highly engaging, although some players find recruitment aspects for the crew slightly tedious.
*Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii* was released on February 21, 2025, for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. The game's soundtrack, full of "stone-cold heaters" everywhere you listen, includes multiple musical/dance numbers, even a Disney-style musical number about the joys of adventure on a pirate ship. The game's setting, Madlantis, a fictional pirate city, adds to the overall immersive experience.
In summary, *Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii* offers an engaging blend of action, adventure, and pirate-themed gameplay, with a captivating narrative that ties into the broader series lore. The game's side stories are as charming and funny as ever, allowing players to recruit new crew members for their ship, the Goromaru, which is fully controllable and customizable.
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