An In-Depth Look at "Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii"
The highly anticipated action-adventure game, "Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii," is set to release on February 28. This game marks a significant milestone as it features Goro Majima as the sole protagonist for the first time. The plot revolves around Majima, who loses his memory and finds himself stranded on Rich Island, near Hawaii. Embracing his new life as a pirate, Majima embarks on an epic oceanic adventure. Recently showcased at the Tokyo Game Show 2024, I had the chance to experience this game hands-on. Here’s an in-depth look at the gameplay and my impressions.
Pirate’s Life
In this preview, players take control of Majima as he navigates through his adventure in Hawaii, engaging in various battles and activities. The game kicks off with Majima traveling by ship alongside his crew, which includes Jason, his son Noah, and Masaru, who serves as both a chef and a bodyguard. Their ultimate destination is the fictional island of Madlantis, but they make a pit stop in Honolulu for preparation.
Mad Dog and Pirate Style
While strolling along the beach with Noah, the game initiates a battle tutorial. Unlike the RPG live-command system seen in "Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth," this game returns to Majima’s action-heavy, brawling roots, reminiscent of "Yakuza Kiwami 2." Players can switch between two distinctive battle styles: Mad Dog and Pirate. The latter involves Majima transforming into pirate-themed attire.
In the Mad Dog style, Majima primarily relies on his fists and a knife for combat. Compared to Kazuma Kiryu, Majima’s movements are significantly quicker, featuring agile footwork and rapid attacks. A notable feature of this style is the ability to jump, allowing Majima to perform air combos. This mechanic enables players to launch enemies into the air and continue attacking them mid-air. The extended airtime makes executing aerial combos easier for those who may not be familiar with action games.
As time progresses or when Heat Actions are activated, the Madness Gauge in the top left corner of the screen fills up. This allows Majima to create clones. When activated, four shadowy duplicates of Majima appear, attacking nearby enemies. It’s thrilling to see Majima at the center, spinning like a top with his clones and knocking enemies around.
The Pirate style focuses on combat using pirate-themed weapons, particularly the cutlass—a curved, single-edged sword often associated with pirates in films. Majima can dual-wield cutlasses to slash enemies and even throw them like boomerangs. The Charge Gun, which increases in power the longer the button is held, and wire hooks offer versatile combat strategies. This allows Majima to either attack from a distance or quickly close the gap with enemies, depending on the situation.
Players can seamlessly switch between the two battle styles at any time during combat. Even those who aren’t comfortable with action games can enjoy flashy, dynamic moves by mixing and matching these styles. The Pirate style, with its unique actions and pirate-themed tools, promises to be addictive. Similar to Kiryu’s gadget-based Agent style from "Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name," Majima’s Pirate style offers a tricky yet engaging way to fight.
Exploring Honolulu
After completing the battle tutorial, the game allows you to freely explore and partake in various activities in Honolulu. Some of the popular features include Karaoke, Boutique shopping, Dragon Kart racing, and Crazy Delivery—a stunt-based delivery game. While these activities may be familiar to players, experiencing them as Majima instead of Ichiban Kasuga introduces a fresh twist to the gameplay.
Mobs of Madlantis
After spending some time in Honolulu, you can talk to Jason and finally set foot on the island of Madlantis. This desolate place, known as a ship graveyard, is a gathering spot for mafia and gangs. The island exudes an atmosphere of decay, and you’ll frequently find yourself in skirmishes with rowdy individuals. Additionally, there are gambling spots where you can enjoy games like poker.
As you gather information from the roughnecks and head towards the bar where Keith resides, a battle ensues. Surrounded by a horde of henchmen, Majima’s combat skills truly shine. Using the Mad Dog style, you can confuse enemies with swift, acrobatic moves while wielding your knife. On the other hand, the Pirate style allows you to unleash wide-range attacks with dual swords. The one-on-one fight with Keith offers thrilling action, as you dodge, guard, and strike at opportune moments.
Final Thoughts
While the concept of Majima turning into a pirate might initially seem far-fetched, the gameplay delivers a solid action-adventure experience. Majima’s characteristic Mad Dog persona shines through, demonstrating that even with memory loss, he can’t resist the thrill of battle. There’s much to look forward to when "Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii" launches on February 28 on PS5.
For more details and updates, you can visit the official website. This game promises to be an exciting addition to the action-adventure genre, offering both long-time fans and newcomers a thrilling and immersive experience.
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