Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio and Sega announced Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is the next entry in the Like a Dragon series during RGG Summit 2024. It stars “The Mad Dog” Goro Majima, and launches on Feburary 28, 2025.
Fan favorite Goro Majima stars in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii
Set after the events of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii brings fan favorite character Goro Majima back into the spotlight. Players will play as The Mad Dog in a new seafaring adventure that sees the ex-yakuza in the middle of a modern day pirate conflict.
“One year after the events of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, Majima washes ashore on a deserted island amid the scattered remnants of a shipwreck,” says the story’s description. “Unable to remember even his own name, Majima travels across the vast ocean in search of clues to piece together his lost identity, accompanied by a boy named Noah who saved his life. Before long, they’re caught up in a conflict between cutthroat criminals, modern-day pirates and other scoundrels over a legendary treasure.”
Unlike the recent Like a Dragon main entries, Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is similar to classic Yakuza gameplay featuring real time beat em’ up style combat. Majima has two different fighting styles. “Mad Dog” style is described as agile, and stylish that are both precise and powerful; it’s the typical fighting style Majima fans expect. The new “Sea Dog” style utilizes dual wielding short swords, and other piratey tools to take down enemies. Like previous Like a Dragon games, players can switch fighting styles on the fly.
New to the Like a Dragon Gaiden style gameplay is jumping during combat. It may seem simple, but this was not an option in previous games. Majima can now jump mid combo to juggle the enemy in air.
Also new to the series is ship combat. Players can assemble their own crew, upgrade their own ship, and explore the ocean. If an enemy ship spots Majima, ship fighting begins. Players can maneuver their way to the enemy ship, and attempt to board in a crew versus crew brawl.
There are three different locations featured in Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. As expected, the Hawaii location from Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth returns. Rich Island is the location where Majima finds himself suffering from amnesia. Lastly, Madlantis is a gathering spot for other pirates.
This wouldn’t be a Like a Dragon game without other random things to side track players. Several mini games were revealed including Crazy Delivery, Dragon Cart, Karaoke, and Minato Girls.
During RGG Summit 2024, it is revealed Ryosuke Horii returns as director for Like a Dragon: Yakuza Pirate in Hawaii. The cast includes Hidenari Ugaki (Goro Majima), First Summer Uika (Noah Rich), Munetaka Aoki (Teruhiko Shigaki), Ryuji Akiyama (Masaru Fujita), Ayumi Tanida (Rodriguez), Shunsuke Daitoh (Mortimer), and Kenji Matsuda (Jason Rich).
What are the different editions for Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii?
There are three editions of Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. The Standard Edition costs $59.99, and includes just the base game. The Deluxe Edition costs $74.99 and includes DLC customization and character packs. The Collector’s Edition includes everything from the Deluxe Edition plus some physical goodies. Here is the full breakdown for the special editions:
Like a Dragon: Yakuza Pirate in Hawaii Deluxe Edition (Physical or Digital)
- Base game
- Legendary Pirate Crew Pack
- Legendary Outfit Pack
- Ship Customization Pack
- Extra Karaoke & CD Pack
Like a Dragon: Yakuza Pirate in Hawaii Collector’s Edition (Physical only)
- Everything from the Deluxe Edition (DLC Voucher)
- Acrylic Standee
- Pirate Flag
- Treasure Coin Pin
- Eye Patch
Preorders for the Standard and Deluxe Editions are available now. Collector’s Edition preorders for North America and Europe will be live soon. Players who preorder receive the Ichiban Pirate Crew Set and the Ichiban Special Outfit Set at no additional cost.
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii launches February 28, 2025, for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC.