Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii Review

In the world of Like a Dragon (formerly Yakuza), chaos is often balanced by moments of quiet reflection, and absurdity frequently carries a deeper emotional weight. Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii takes the series out of the familiar Kamurocho setting and transports players to a bizarre and thrilling new world filled with pirates, naval combat, and Majima's madcap antics. Despite the unorthodox setting, this spin-off somehow retains the heart and soul of what fans love about the series.

The Premise:

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii ditches the traditional urban Yakuza backdrop for a high-seas adventure featuring cutlass-wielding pirates and age-of-sail ships. This game follows the eccentric Goro Majima—the series’ beloved, unpredictable character—now captain of a ship, navigating a pirate-infused Hawaiian archipelago in search of treasure and intrigue.

The game's premise, with its wild blend of historical pirate tropes and over-the-top absurdity, might seem like an easy cash grab. But surprisingly, it works. In fact, it feels surprisingly fresh and consistent with the series' established tone. From Majima's crew of quirky misfits to the off-the-wall side stories, it’s a zany, unpredictable ride.

New Gameplay Elements:

This game introduces some bold new mechanics, the most notable being naval combat. Instead of the usual street brawls, players find themselves on the open seas in battles that feel like a mash-up of Master and Commander and Forza. Ships can boost, drift, and fire machine guns, making naval combat fast and furious. The highlight comes when boarding enemy ships, which leads to chaotic, cutscene-heavy battles with Majima’s peculiar crew—think Pirates of the Caribbean, but weirder.

The combat, too, undergoes a significant shift. Majima’s traditional fighting styles make a return, but they’re reworked for a more arcade-like experience. Like a Dragon veterans will recognize the familiar rhythm of the combat, but the scale is larger, messier, and more chaotic—especially during the large-scale battles where hundreds of characters clash.

Story & Side Content:

The game's central narrative follows Majima’s quest for treasure and self-revelation, but it’s the side stories that will likely steal the show for many fans. From cooking meals to saving stray animals, there’s a lot to explore. The humor is vintage Yakuza, ranging from the bizarre (a substory involving cursed fiddles that summon ghost sharks) to the downright ridiculous (a character named Keith, who is somehow the least menacing pirate ever).

Majima’s interactions with his crew and other colorful characters deliver the classic Yakuza blend of quirky humor and surprising depth. Despite the oddball premise, there are still moments of true emotional weight, making the game feel like more than just a parody.

Sailing Mechanics:

Sailing is where the game’s tone truly shines. You won’t be spending time trimming sails or navigating complex sea routes. Instead, Majima’s ship is equipped with machine guns, boosts, and other ridiculous upgrades, making naval battles feel like an arcade shooter. The battles are fast-paced and exhilarating, with larger encounters culminating in on-deck melees. The inclusion of boarding actions is where the game’s absurdity reaches its peak, as you fight alongside your crew of pirates, wrestlers, and ninja in a flurry of chaotic action.

Combat System:

While the game retains its familiar combat roots, there’s a noticeable shift in how battles play out. The previously more focused, rhythm-based combat is now bigger and messier, often feeling more like a Dynasty Warriors game at times, with hundreds of enemies on screen. Majima’s new “Sea Dog” style is intuitive, allowing players to wield a variety of creative and bizarre weapons (like a cursed fiddle that summons sharks). Heat Actions, a series staple, are present but feel a little more limited in scope, which may disappoint some hardcore fans.

The Odd Charm:

One of the game's best surprises is how quickly you can accept its wild premise. A Yakuza character in the 18th century aboard a pirate ship? It makes little sense on paper, but the world is rich with character and creativity, making it surprisingly compelling. There's a subtle layer of nostalgia here, too, as old Yakuza characters and settings pop up in unexpected ways, creating a sense of continuity despite the change in setting.

Majima’s journey, as nonsensical as it seems, resonates emotionally, especially when you get to the heart of his conflict between his pirate captain persona and his past as a Yakuza boss. This complexity is a trademark of the series, and it carries through even in this most unconventional of settings.

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is a wild ride that both subverts and embraces the core aspects of the Yakuza series. It delivers over-the-top action, hilarious side stories, and surprisingly emotional moments, all while making you question whether this pirate Yakuza thing could actually work. While the sailing and combat mechanics might take some getting used to, they provide a fresh twist on the traditional formula, and the game is peppered with enough side content to keep even the most dedicated Yakuza fans busy for hours.

In the end, Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii might be the kind of ridiculous spin-off that seems like it should be a guilty pleasure, but it's way more than that. It's a worthy addition to the Like a Dragon saga, packed with charm, chaos, and Majima madness in a completely unexpected setting. Whether you're here for the pirate battles or the bizarre stories, this game offers something for everyone—while also feeling like home in the strangest of places.

Platform: PS5 (Reviewed), also available on PC (Steam), PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Xbox One
Release Date: 21st February, 2025
Developer: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio
Publisher: Sega