A Year Later, This Is Still One of My Favorite Sega Games of the 21st Century

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Sega is having a great run recently, proving that their classic franchises still resonate with players. New games in series like Sonic and Virtua Fighter feel both familiar and fresh, and the announcement of revivals for Jet Set Radio and Crazy Taxi has been particularly exciting. The Yakuza series, now known as Like a Dragon, has also continued to thrive with excellent releases such as Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth and Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties.

It’s hard to say if any game will be as much fun as Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. Released a year ago, this game is delightfully chaotic, charming, and colorful – easily one of Sega’s best releases in recent years. That’s not to diminish other great Sega games, but Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii was just incredibly enjoyable. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the Yakuza series or completely new to Goro Majima’s world, it’s a fantastic gaming experience.

A Year Later, I’m Still In Love With Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii

Released on February 21st of last year, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii has quickly become a favorite Sega game of mine. Although it continues the story from Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth and features the return of Goro Majima, the game mostly tells a new, self-contained story. You play as Majima, who wakes up on Rich Island with no memory of who he is. He teams up with a treasure hunter and his son, and together they form a pirate crew to explore the Hawaiian Islands. The gameplay is a unique mix of Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag and Grand Theft Auto, letting you hunt for treasure, fight in pirate arenas, and even battle massive squids.

Honestly, playing this game is just wonderfully over-the-top. It really embraces the craziness, which fits Majima perfectly and makes exploring the islands as a pirate captain so much fun. There’s so much to do – you can dive into tons of mini-games, build up your pirate crew, or dig into Majima’s past. That feeling of total freedom is what being a pirate is all about, and it really suits Majima’s personality. He’s always thrown caution to the wind, so he was a natural fit for this kind of adventure. The developers at Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio clearly understood that – his fighting styles are wild, he’s unpredictable, and there’s a surprising amount of depth to him. They’ve packed the game with content, and it all feels connected to Majima’s larger-than-life personality. It’s seriously impressive how much there is to do!

Yakuza Games Are A Blast, And Pirate Yakuza Truly Understands That

The Yakuza series has always been a success for Sega, blending enjoyable gameplay, detailed worlds, and captivating stories. The best Yakuza games manage to capture all of these elements effectively. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (formerly Like a Pirate) leans into a more lighthearted tone, presenting a sympathetic cast, and ultimately delivers a truly unique and fun experience. It’s rare to find a game that offers so much variety – from epic sea battles and intense combat to relaxing karaoke and thrilling kart racing – all with such a lively, rebellious spirit. Despite its potential to feel overwhelming, the game’s clever design and immersive world keep everything focused. Players could easily spend dozens of hours exploring and still feel like they’ve only begun to uncover everything it has to offer.

What really makes Like a Pirate fun is its heartwarming story about friendship, which adds emotional weight to the over-the-top battles. It’s a story about facing your past and deciding what kind of person you want to become. I loved it from the start, immediately getting lost in its crazy action and chaotic world. Over time, I really connected with the characters and found the environments incredibly immersive, and the gameplay itself remained solid. Even a year later, Like a Pirate has brought me more joy than many recent games. If you haven’t played it yet, now is the perfect time to jump in and embrace your inner pirate!

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2026-02-21 23:12