Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii Review: Set Sail for a Paradise of Minigames

The Like a Dragon series, previously known as Yakuza, wasn’t something that had caught my attention before. For quite some time, I would watch trailers and think, “Nah, it’s not for me.” I always assumed its unique qualities were too out of the ordinary for me to appreciate.

In 2023, I seized the chance to delve into Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name, taking on the role of an eagerness-filled gaming critic, eager to make a name for myself. I wondered if I was sophisticated enough to appreciate a Yakuza game, considering it a rare and opportune moment.

Within just a few hours of embarking on my journey, it sadly became clear to me how misguided I’d been. I had underestimated this series for quite some time due to inaccurate assumptions. Over time, the engaging storyline, mini-games, combat, character customization, and other unique features of that specific Yakuza game began to hit me like a wave. The sheer volume of gameplay hours that lay ahead, inviting me to become proficient, felt overwhelming.

My experience playing Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii has been remarkably similar to the unwavering gameplay that won my heart a couple of years back. Now, wrapped up in a seafaring tale, Like a Dragon proves its ability yet again to reinvent itself as an exceptional sequel, released mere months after Infinite Wealth.

The good

Goro Majima takes the helm in the latest entry in the series.

Upon waking up on a solitary island distant from Hawaii, Goro discovers he’s stricken with amnesia, unable to recall not only his own identity but also his name. To make matters worse, he finds himself all by himself.

In this scenario, there’s nobody nearby who can identify him, as he stirs awake next to a ten-year-old boy named Noah. Almost immediately, Noah instigates a skirmish with some pirates. Indeed, it seems we’re playing a Yakuza game.

Mad Dog encounters a band of rogue pirates causing chaos on the island. In an attempt to alleviate problems with the locals, Goro decides to confront Pirate Keith, whose presence is persistent, and rob his ship in search of hidden treasures that could be uncharted riches.

Previously respected head of the Majima clan now faces an onslaught of sea raiders, striving to ascend in the criminal hierarchy within Madlantis’ underbelly. His past is left behind.

Instead of dwelling on your past identity, it’s more fruitful for you, as a pirate with unrealized abilities, to focus on the adventures ahead. And that’s exactly what Goro chooses to do, setting sail vigorously.

As a researcher delving into the captivating world of Yakuza: Like a Dragon, I’m eager to preserve the thrill for fellow players. The unpredictable gusts and surging seas are integral to the game’s allure, and revealing too much would be akin to prematurely popping the cork on a bottle of champagne, spoiling the effervescent delight for those yet to experience it firsthand.

The story remains just as impressive as ever. Following the occurrences detailed in Infinite Wealth, Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii offers a fresh perspective on the ongoing Yakuza happenings in Hawaii that seem to be unavoidable.

Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii’s combat

At the outset, I was uncertain about my feelings towards combat. It seemed somewhat similar to Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name, but with less refinement.

Moving away from the traditional turn-based battle system, Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii attempts to replicate the seamless combat style that Kazuma Kiryu introduced in his previous game.

As time went by, the intricacies of the systems unfolded, resulting in a rich harvest of various options. These features gradually drew me in deeper. Frequently switching between styles became more common for me compared to Like a Dragon Gaiden, as I discovered both approaches indispensable throughout most combat scenarios from start to finish.

In various situations – be it amidst a large group, facing a lone adversary like a boss enemy, or approaching Goro and a mad gunman – I maintained a smile on my face. The battle tested my impulsiveness, penalizing hasty movements, while appreciating tactical patience instead.

The annoyance I experienced was due to me repeatedly pressing buttons, hoping that I could avoid facing the repercussions.

Playing the pirate in Hawaii

In a vessel resembling a pirate ship, I initially found myself less than smitten, as the pirate-themed part of the game didn’t fully unfold until well into the following chapter.

For a novice, the ship may not initially seem impressive, yet it embodies the brilliance that unfolds over time, much like the Yakuza’s schemes. This layering of ideas eventually results in an extraordinary outcome. Pirating proved to be irresistibly captivating in the end.

Exploring vast oceans, swiftly traversing various landscapes, engaging rogue sea bandits, and seizing treasures from neighboring isles culminates magnificently towards the end of Chapter 2, as you’re compelled into a fierce, arena-style confrontation among pirates.

The king of everything else

Once more, mini-games hold the throne of enjoyment. You can leisurely engage in darts, fire cannonballs and detonate gunpowder, all while competing in a game of who’s closest to the target. Each game offers a satisfying experience, largely due to the integrated shopping system.

Earning points in any game grants you tangible rewards such as rings, cash, pirate tokens, and various trinkets. These prizes can boost your combat abilities or provide additional funds for ventures.

In the course of playing any game, you collect points that translate into real-world items like coins, rings, tokens, and other small treasures. These goodies can either enhance your fighting power or offer extra money for future endeavors.

This game also boasts numerous captivating aspects worth exploring, such as the bounty mechanism that monitors players by identifying lawbreakers hidden in various regions. Every outlaw offers a unique degree of difficulty, and the corresponding bounty reflects this level of challenge.

Instead, consider these Segway scooters, which I adore and they’ve upgraded significantly since my days at Infinite Wealth. Ditch the taxis and opt for a vibrant pink, neon-lit two-wheeler that could light up an OLED TV so much it might be overkill. If only there was a way to power this beauty with a ludicrous solar-powered hat!

Instead of me guiding you extensively, I suggest you discover more on your own, as some thrills are most enjoyable when they’re unexpected. Rest assured, there’s plenty to keep you engaged. And just in case you’ve forgotten, this is a Yakuza game – which means it’s packed with an abundance of activities to explore.

The bad

One concern I’ve encountered with this game is that the Dragon Engine, which wasn’t much of an issue for me previously, is now clearly becoming outdated. From pixelated textures to poor frame rate stability, the multi-generation development of Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is becoming quite uncomfortable to play.

From the get-go, it’s clear that this place is aggravating. The gritty, uncomfortable texture of sand and stones on the island feels harsh and unyielding, unlike how we usually perceive them. Moreover, the three-dimensional geometry is largely absent, with many surfaces appearing as simple, flat, two-dimensional planes instead.

Currently, we’re in the fifth year of this game generation, and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studios continue to produce games for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. I understand that there are many users on these platforms, but it seems to limit potential customers seeking a superior experience when the main improvement on higher-end systems appears to be only smoother frame rates.

The aspect that seems least satisfactory isn’t the feel of the surfaces; it’s the water quality. Given that a significant part of the game involves pirating on the sea, it’s crucial to ensure the water appearance is convincing enough for sailing. Unfortunately, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii fell short in this regard for me.

To double-check if I was mistaken, I revisited some gameplay footage of Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag. I couldn’t determine whether it had improved or worsened over time. The depiction of sea battles now seems rather outdated.

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth — Final Thoughts

You should play this if…

If you’re a fan of the Yakuza/Like a Dragon series, or if you’re looking for something fresh to explore, I highly recommend giving it a try. The creativity and quality that the developers manage to produce in such limited time is truly impressive.

✅ You’re looking for that Black Flag kick

Although it may not be highly authentic, it offers an entertaining and quirky pirate story filled with shipboard action and numerous swashbucklers ready for battle at sea.

You should not play this if…

If you prefer games with modern aesthetics, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii might not meet your expectations due to its outdated appearance at times. It may be advisable to hold off on this series until a new installment is released, which likely won’t use last-generation hardware.

It’s high time for gamers to dive into the world of Like a Dragon and explore its riches. If you haven’t played one of their games before, I strongly advise you to give it a go right now. At $60, it’s a veritable goldmine of gaming experiences for a wide array of players.

If you’re a fan of anime, you’ll find the tale of the Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii captivating. If you enjoy mini-games, this is just what you’ve been searching for. If your heart yearns for the days of Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag, prepare to set sail for loot!

2025-02-20 15:15