The game series called “Like a Dragon” has a 20-year history of skillfully combining dramatic elements, previously known as “Yakuza” in the Western world. This series is a mix of intense soap opera, brutal street fights, and quirky comedic adventures, with RGG Studio initially taken aback by its popularity outside Japan during the mid-2000s, now fully embracing both the gritty and heartfelt aspects of Japanese nightlife that form the foundation of the games. The series has evolved significantly, from hand-to-hand combat to turn-based battles in the reboot “Yakuza: Like a Dragon“, revisiting significant eras in Japanese history through “Like a Dragon: Ishin!“, and dabbling in secret agent gadgetry in “Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name“. All these titles are delivered with the studio’s signature blend of enthusiasm and sincerity.
If you’ve completed every game from the Yakuza and Like a Dragon series, you might struggle to identify what makes these games most memorable – is it the drama or the humor? However, the title of the upcoming spin-off for Like a Dragon should make it clear that RGG Studio intends to rely on the series’ inherent absurdity to create memorability. The game, titled Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, certainly sounds outlandish. Moreover, the title itself – Pirate Yakuza, set in Hawaii – is quite unusual.
Indeed, Goro does wear an eyepatch, but a pirate? It seemed like a joke that had gotten out of hand. Following leaks several months after the release of “Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth,” there were whispers that the villainous jester, Goro Majima, would be starring in his own spin-off, where he commandeered a pirate ship to plunder treasure. These rumors were dismissed as too far-fetched. However, fast forward to January 2025, and we’re just a month away from setting sail on what promises to be the most ridiculous “Like a Dragon” game yet, and possibly the craziest game released this year.
In this sneak peek, RGG Studio’s fresh comedic approach shines brightly. From the get-go, we witness Goro wielding two swords and playing violins to conjure trippy sharks during combat, not to mention his tiger cub friend adorably dressed in various outfits. The storyline isn’t fully unveiled yet, but we know that after the events of Like a Dragon, Goro mysteriously washes ashore in Hawaii with no memory of who he is, thinking he’s a pirate. His quest to find treasure and regain his lost memories coincide, creating an entertaining experience in Pirate Yakuza. Here, you’ll command a crew of sea shanty singers, battle rival ships, pillage picturesque island resorts, and gather clues to solve Goro’s amnesia.
As I, a seasoned gamer, sail my galleon through the treacherous waters of Hawaii, I’m equipped with an arsenal of cannons, machine guns, and flamethrowers to fend off hostile ships. Majima and his crew are constantly on the lookout for these relentless enemies. Despite being at the helm of our galleon during naval battles, Captain Majima isn’t confined there. He likes to take a few shots from his trusty RPG before we storm enemy vessels for a classic brawl – it’s like stepping into a bar at a Peter Pan convention on a rowdy night!
Rival pirates can be more than just enemies; they can join our ranks. Both Majima’s crew and our ship are subject to an array of upgrades, reminiscent of those found in RPG games.
In the game “Pirate Yakuza,” combat is back to its original beat ’em up style, but with a unique twist from RGG Studio: a swashbuckling element to keep the fights exciting! Majima has two distinct fighting styles at his disposal – Mad Dog and Sea Dog. The Mad Dog style is traditional and reminiscent of his gangster past, while the Sea Dog style involves using cutlasses and various pirate-themed weapons like pistols and boomerangs. New aerial combo attacks give it a stylish feel similar to “Metal Gear Rising,” with all the hacking and slashing. It seems that Majima’s gangster style might be effective when taking down enemies one by one, while switching to his pirate form could help in tight situations due to the cutlass’ wide area of effect.
In simpler terms, both combat techniques include temporary abilities that recharge over time. Mad Dog’s unique move involves Majima creating multiple copies of himself, which can help even the odds during unfavorable encounters. The sharks called by playing a musical instrument are a special ability for Sea Dog, and Majima also has additional abilities like a jellyfish, parrot, and monkey to aid him in escaping difficult situations, along with his electric blue jaw attack.
If you find yourself longing for a break from voyaging across the vast oceans, steer Majima’s ship towards the mainland and moor it near the harbor in Honolulu – a city that has been meticulously designed for the game “Infinite Wealth”. In this vibrant setting, Goro puts on a fitting Hawaiian shirt to traverse the sun-soaked streets paved with concrete. He engages in fistfights, carries out tasks for locals, and indulges in a variety of side activities. Naturally, he even spends time managing his own farm by buying animals to raise there.
Similar to every previous title in the Yakuza and Like a Dragon series, the game Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii offers a variety of entertaining diversions during gameplay. Activities like karaoke, cooking, golf, and hitting home runs against barrels are joined by arcades offering claw games and Sega classics, as well as opportunities to gamble at the Pirate’s Colosseum to increase your earnings. The Colosseum operates much like a pirate’s version of Las Vegas, allowing players to participate in ship-versus-ship contests while wagering on the outcomes. Throughout its history, Like a Dragon has been known for numerous side activities that could potentially stand alone, but none more so than the Pirate’s Colosseum, where various battle modes, particularly naval combat, take center stage.
The ambiance and setting have always been crucial elements in the experience of playing Yakuza or Like a Dragon games. Initially, RGG Studio was taken aback by how well their depiction of Japanese grit resonated with players from the Western world. The virtual cities of Kamurocho, Osaka, Yokohama, balmy Okinawa, and now Hawaii offer an honest portrayal that serves as a strong foundation for the series to blend emotional depth and comic relief. However, the comedy-heavy approach in Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii might push the series’ unique tone too far off course. Will Pirate Yakuza still feel like a typical Yakuza game? Could this spinoff be overly dramatic to maintain its serious narrative aspects while catering to its comedic elements?
The fundamental aspect shared by all Yakuza Like a Dragon games has been their characters, whether they’re portrayed as distant or intensely serious. These are narratives about people with ambitions; ones they’ll battle for. They revolve around building relationships, enduring hardships, and overcoming challenges. Infinite Wealth delved more profoundly into the psychological aspects of a life marred by violence than most previous Yakuza Like a Dragon games. Although Pirate Yakuza might seem like a shift towards absurdity, there’s no indication that these characters won’t still grapple with themes such as hardship, loyalty, trust, and betrayal. In other words, Yakuza Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii appears to be striking a unique equilibrium between the unusual and the heartfelt.
Please remember that the opinions presented within this article belong solely to the writer. These views may not align with the perspectives of GamingBolt as a collective entity, and should not be attributed to the organization.
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2025-02-11 22:12