Welcome back to Hawaii! This time we are doing something entirely different. We will be a Pirate yakuza??? Oh my, how does this happen, and why does it happen to Goro Majima? Let’s take a look at our review for Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii!
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii
Release date: February 21, 2025
Developer: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio
Series: Yakuza
Publisher: Sega
Platforms: PlayStation 5 (reviewed), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Series S, Microsoft Windows
Genres: Role-playing game, Action-adventure game, Fighting game, Adventure
*Special thanks to Sega PR for providing a Review Key*
Intro/Story:
From the official website:
A new legend begins as you step into the steel toe boots of Goro Majima, a man who has lost his memory and reinvents himself as a pirate on the open sea.
Embark on an over-the-top, modern-day pirate adventure with an ex-yakuza, now pirate captain and his crew as they engage in exhilarating combat on land and sea in the hunt for lost memories and a legendary treasure.
Six months after the events of Infinite Wealth, Majima wakes up shipwrecked in Hawaii with amnesia. He quickly acquires a pirate ship (the Goromaru) and a ragtag crew, forging bonds with a plucky orphan, the boy’s father, and a machete-wielding chef. These relationships give the plot heart, and Majima becomes a reluctant captain and surrogate father figure during a race to find a legendary treasure. The narrative is entertaining and heartfelt, with a swashbuckling finale delivered pretty well. However, compared to other titles, it’s a simpler, more straightforward tale than mainline Yakuza entries.
Regardless of the simpler aspect, Pirate Yakuza retains all the charm of other Like a Dragon/Yakuza games. From the screenshot above, it explains how the language barrier is overcome in the most Majima way possible. This is perfect. However, how is the gameplay? Let’s take a look at the gameplay aspect.
Gameplay:
Like other Like a Dragon (Yakuza) entries, Pirate Yakuza mixes beat-’em-up action with new naval mechanics. On land, Majima fights using two distinct styles: the familiar Mad Dog brawling (knives, punches) and the new Sea Dog sword style. Both are fluid and satisfying, letting him unleash wild combos and hilarious Heat attacks. Combat flows smoothly and always feels brutal and chaotic. At sea, commanding the Goromaru adds a unique twist: fast-paced ship battles where you fire cannons, use machine guns, flamethrowers, and even boost/ram on enemy vessels. You also recruit crew and upgrade your ship’s weapons, adding strategy to the mix.
Maneuvering your pirate ship is a highlight. The Goromaru responds like a souped-up speedboat – you can boost and drift to dodge enemy fire – and boarding enemy ships launches frantic brawls with your ragtag crew. This sea combat is fast and fun, and done surprisingly well compared to other games in the “sea battle” genre. Back on land, Pirate Yakuza retains all the mini-games and side activities of a typical Yakuza game (karaoke, kart racing, delivery missions, cooking, etc.), which unlock new crew members and rewards. These diversions keep the action fresh and encourage exploration.
On PlayStation 5, Pirate Yakuza is generally smooth and responsive. The game locks to a high framerate mode (around 60 FPS) with no low-resolution mode, and I experienced very few technical issues. Transitions and loading screens are fast thanks to the SSD. The DualSense controller adds nice touches: its haptic feedback rumbles impressively during combat and sea breezes.
Audio and Visual:
Audio:
The sound design and music fit the bizarre pirate setting. Majima’s English voice actor (Matthew Mercer) delivers his manic lines with enthusiasm, and even the side characters are fully voiced in both Japanese and English options. The soundtrack mixes jaunty sea shanties and orchestral swells with the series’ familiar funky rock and jazz tunes. Background effects (waves crashing, cannon booms, sword clashes) sound crisp and help immerse you in each scene. However, as with Infinite Wealth, this is when the music does take place. If it does not, you will hear nothingness unless you use your MP3 player/phone to play a variety of songs from previous games. A small problem that is fixed easily.
Visual:
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza runs on the series’ Dragon Engine (as used in Infinite Wealth), and on PS5, it generally maintains a smooth 60 FPS. Character models are highly detailed, from Majima’s tattoos, costumes, and the expressive faces of his crew, all shine. The Hawaiian locales are colorful, with bright beaches, lush forests, and clear ocean water. Sailing at dusk or night adds mood, as lighting and weather effects (rain storms, fireworks) play out.
Despite solid models and effects, the graphics show the engine’s age. Even at the highest settings, some textures appear flat and dated. On PS5, you may notice small artifacts. For example, character hair can look slightly blurry. In short, it isn’t pushing next-gen visuals; it’s comparable to the last console generation.
Replayability:
There’s a wealth of content to enjoy beyond the main story. The game brims with side activities: dozens of oddball sub-stories, treasure maps to hunt down, and challenge modes. For example, uncovering hidden treasures turns Honolulu upside-down and yields valuable rewards. Completing just the main plot takes around 20–25 hours, but fully exploring every corner (100% completion) can easily reach 30–40 hours. After finishing the game, a New Game Plus (Premium Adventure) mode is even being added, letting you carry over Majima’s stats and crew to tackle late-game battles again.
Wrap-up/conclusion:
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is a goofy, heartfelt spin-off that delivers on its wild premise. On PS5, it runs smoothly and looks serviceable, with its strengths in varied, explosive combat and endearing characters. Its story is light compared to the main series, but full of charm. Fans will enjoy seeing Majima in this swashbuckling role, and newcomers will find the accessible adventure fun. The game’s few technical and pacing flaws are minor in a romp this enjoyable. Overall, it’s a recommended pirate vacation for Yakuza fans, just be ready for a hearty dose of madness and a satisfying, albeit straightforward, tale.
*Special thanks to Sega/RGG studios for the review key*
Score: 8/10 – Pirate Yakuza does not add much in terms of the story in the grand scope of things. However, it is a simple game that is fun, entertaining, and does pirating much better than any other game out there to date. It is a Like a Dragon game through and through, and there is nothing wrong with that.