I confess, I’ve never played a Yakuza/Like a Dragon game before. The sheer number of games in the series always felt daunting. But then, I got my hands on the latest, and quite possibly the most bizarre, entry: Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. And let me tell you, it was a revelation!
This game is pure, unadulterated fun. Just 20 minutes of playtime were enough to leave me grinning ear to ear. The sheer ridiculousness of it all, combined with the promise of countless side activities, had me wondering why I hadn’t jumped into the series sooner. While this might not be the ideal starting point for newcomers in terms of the overarching storyline, it’s undeniably the perfect entry point for those hesitant to dive in.
The game stars Goro Majima, the “Mad Dog of Shimano” and a beloved character from the series. Here, he finds himself on a wild, pirate-themed adventure, suffering from amnesia and believing he’s a treasure-hunting captain. Majima’s character is a riot; he reminded me of a boisterous uncle who’d teach you how to drink and smoke at the tender age of 8. And watching him take on a dozen goons on a Hawaiian beach? Pure comedy gold.
Majima’s combat style is fast-paced and dynamic, harking back to the traditional brawling of past Yakuza games. He has two fighting stances: the Mad Dog Style, which relies on punches and dagger strikes, and the Sea Dog Style, which sees Majima transform into a swashbuckling pirate with a cutlass and firearms. Both styles are augmented by special effects, allowing him to summon spectral doppelgangers or unleash brutal, cutscene-driven attacks with his Sea Dog Style. It’s absurd, over-the-top, and utterly delightful.
Like a Dragon games are famous for their minigames, and Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii carries on that tradition. The demo allowed me to experience a food delivery minigame and Dragon Kart, a Mario Kart-inspired race with the added twist of using machine guns and bazookas to take out your opponents. I didn’t get a chance to try the karaoke minigame, which is a series staple, but it’s on my list for when the game launches next year. As a Filipino, karaoke is practically a constitutional right, so I’m ready to belt out some tunes!
Exploring the Hawaiian beachfront, I soon had to progress the main quest. I boarded Majima’s ship and was treated to a cutscene where my group arrived at Madlantis, a gleaming city that serves as the next stop in the campaign. Sadly, my demo ended before I could explore further.
Even though my time with Like a Dragon: Yakuza Pirate in Hawaii was short, it left me hooked. The over-the-top moments, action-packed gameplay, and abundance of minigames were right up my alley. This spin-off has completely captivated me. I’m eager to see what awaits in Like a Dragon: Yakuza Pirate in Hawaii when it launches on February 28, 2025.
