As a seasoned gamer with years of Yakuza experience under my belt, let me tell you, the latest installment, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, has me all a-quiver with anticipation! The battle demo was a delightful sneak peek into the new combat system, and I can only imagine the Heat moves will leave me rolling on the floor laughing.
Fans of Majima have been eagerly anticipating the comeback of the Mad Dog of Shimano as a central figure in the storyline for quite some time now. Since his stint as the main character in Yakuza 0, and the Majima Everywhere system in Yakuza Kiwami, not to mention the brief yet fulfilling tale that concluded in Yakuza Kiwami 2, followers of this cherished character have likely spent a significant portion of their leisure time capturing and saving every instance of his appearances in these games, cherishing those small moments they share with him.
The years of waiting around have finally come to an end. Ryu Ga Gotoku (RGG) studio has released a seven-minute announcement trailer of its newest title Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii where Majima shines again, and this time as the sole protagonist. Even though RGG has been releasing full-length games almost yearly, even longtime fans probably weren’t expecting another game so soon or predicting Majima to return as a protagonist and a pirate. Plus, Yakuza’s beat-’em-up combat and the series’ best minigame both return–this is shaping up to be a great game!
Over the weekend, I had the pleasure of catching a glimpse of an upcoming game trailer, and it left me eagerly anticipating the storyline. Six months post the events of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, I find myself in an unfamiliar setting – a beach with no recollection of my past or even my identity. A young boy named Noah and his… well, let’s just say it’s a tiger disguised as a cat, appear before me on this island near Hawaii they call “Rich Island.” Not long after, we’re ambushed by pirates! Later, I meet Noah’s father, Jason, who enlightens me about Nele Island – a place where waste and pollution are callously discarded. Somehow, my past and the yakuza seem to be intertwined in this mess. I can’t wait to uncover more secrets as the story unfolds!
To regain his memories and tackle the enigma of Nele Island, Majima needs to traverse various Hawaiian islands and an additional location known as Madlantis – a secret lair for criminal elements controlled by a fresh character, Queen Michelle. In typical Majima style, he seizes command of a pirate ship and embarks on a voyage to unravel the secrets hidden within these predicaments.
In a typical RGG style, it’s essential that the title includes a far-fetched scenario. How about this: Majima wakes up on an island with amnesia and decides to become a pirate? Given his diverse career history – from running a cabaret to managing construction sites and constantly bothering Kiryu in various disguises – it’s only fitting that he takes on another unconventional profession. With his newfound eye patch, why not add “sea conqueror” to his resume as well?
After seeing the trailer and learning more about the storyline, I was curious about gameplay, especially since Majima is playable. Fortunately, I managed to try out a short demo version of the game.
It seemed like the turn-based combat style would become the norm for Like a Dragon games, but Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii brings back the Yakuza series’ original beat-’em-up roots, including the iconic Heat moves. This style of combat feels more natural for Majima, whose outrageous personality might have been stilted in turn-based combat. In the demo, we are introduced to two of Majima’s fighting styles: his signature Mad Dog fighting style and the new, Pirate “Sea Dog” style.
At sixty years old, Majima still doesn’t miss a beat when it comes to busting moves on his foes, making you feel like you’re back in the streets of Kansai once more. The action remains as flamboyant and chaotic as ever, with an exciting new twist: the ability to unleash jump attacks during combat. Majima’s Mad Dog style has been updated for today’s gameplay, offering a harmonious blend of his fighting styles from Yakuza 0, where he wields both fists and knives as weapons. To top it off, Majima now possesses the ability to generate doppelgangers, which come in handy when tackling hordes of adversaries.
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In a playful twist, the latest Sea Dog appearance of Majima seems more comical compared to his traditional style. Effortlessly adopting this pirate-like persona, Majima follows the pattern set by characters in previous Like a Dragon games, who morph into their specific roles during combat. Armed with two cutlasses, a flintlock pistol, and a wire hook, Majima can swiftly switch between these weapons for entertaining combos. I’m eager to delve deeper into this style and see how over-the-top the Heat moves will be in this new form.
In RGG games, they’re well-known for offering a wealth of additional content and mini-games apart from combat. Following the battle demonstration, my immediate action was to dash towards the karaoke bar. The playlist wasn’t extensive, but it did feature fresh tracks like “The Sun at 36.5 C,” as well as some familiar tunes from earlier games such as “As Long as You’re Happy.” I anticipate more songs will be added later, but enthusiasts of Majima will appreciate the return of the beloved “24 Hour Cinderella” in Yakuza Pirate. This time around, the rollerblading goofball who serenades us is portrayed as a 60-year-old man. I must admit, it was quite emotional seeing him in that outfit at that age.
One of the minigames I enjoy from the series, Dragon Kart, is back in Like a Dragon: Yakuza Pirate. Although I could only check out one racing track, the experience was thrilling as I zoomed around Hawaii with fresh characters. The game showcases some of its novel items, and it’s exciting! However, I noticed that the turns were a bit rough and intense, so hopefully they refine the feel before the final release.
As a gamer, I too ventured briefly into the hidden city of Madlantis. Reminiscent of clandestine urban jungles from past games, these streets pulsed with neon glow and illicit gaming dens. The craftsmanship of this sham metropolis left me in awe; the pirate-themed shipwreck and seafaring atmosphere transformed it into an enchanting realm for criminal syndicates.
Among the exciting new features, I particularly enjoy the grappling hook, allowing me to navigate around the city. In specific parts of the map, Majima can swing onto elevated platforms to gather hidden treasures and uncover new vistas. The spider grab from Like a Dragon Gaiden was a blast to use, so it’s thrilling to see this mechanic improved. This feature also opens up previously unexplored regions in the familiar Hawaii map for us to delve into.
Despite my brief taste, I enjoyed trying out numerous fresh elements in the game, and it was a delight to play Majima once more. Even though this latest installment is new, there was a sense of nostalgia as I traversed the streets, embodying the Mad Dog. I’m confident that long-time Majima enthusiasts will share the same sentiment.
Instead of delving deeply into the narrative just yet, I’ll hold off on my analysis, but let me express that it’s been quite some time since we encountered a more somber aspect of Majima, and I find myself yearning for more tender interactions with this character in future installments. Here’s hoping there will be nods to the side quests from Yakuza 0, as well as potential encounters with characters from earlier games. There might even be some touching moments involving Kiryu, or perhaps an unexpected encounter with a character who now lives abroad, a figure longtime fans are familiar with.
Will the Mad Dog’s tale ultimately reach its conclusion or not remains uncertain, but fans are bound to be thrilled by the fresh elements in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. This game also satisfies the longing for more of Majima, and the combat is incredibly enjoyable. There appears to be an abundance of side activities to discover, and most excitingly, the old Mad Dog gets another chance to shine brightly once more.
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2024-09-27 22:39