Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii Review

Over the years, since his introduction in the first Yakuza game on PlayStation 2, Goro Majima has held fans of the Like a Dragon series spellbound. His unpredictable behavior added an edge to Kazuma Kiryu’s escapades as Majima’s loyalties appeared to change frequently. The character’s popularity skyrocketed when Yakuza 0 delved into his backstory, allowing him to share the spotlight with Kiryu as one of the two playable protagonists.

In addition to Yakuza 0, there were only a handful of instances where Majima was a playable character – these include the newly incorporated “Majima Saga” side story in Yakuza Kiwami 2 and the zombie shooter spin-off, Yakuza: Dead Souls. However, he wasn’t the main protagonist in any of these titles; it was only in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii that Goro Majima received his standalone game where he was the exclusive playable main character.

Although Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii isn’t referred to as ‘Gaiden’ in its western version, its Japanese title positions it as the following installment in the Gaiden sub-series, which started with The Man Who Erased His Name. The story of Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii unfolds several months after Infinite Wealth, and while you don’t strictly need to have played Infinite Wealth to grasp the main narrative, I strongly suggest doing so. This game provides valuable insights into secondary plot points from Infinite Wealth, particularly the Palekana group that was introduced there.

In the opening hour of this game, it’s not particularly engaging as Majima washes up on an island, losing his memories. A young boy named Noah later stumbles upon him. Eventually, Majima is brought to Noah’s settlement, where he encounters Noah’s father Jason and older sister Moana. With no hope of finding answers on the island, the legendary character suffering from amnesia starts seeking escape routes instead.

This sets the stage for an introduction to Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, featuring elements of survival that are somewhat tenuous. The story gradually reveals Majima’s diminishing choices and Noah’s curiosity about the world beyond his known surroundings. Although the game appears slow-paced initially due to its brief runtime on paper, this opening segment seems prolonged and showcases some of Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii’s less robust systems. However, it should be noted that the entertaining cooking minigame is an exception. Despite a somewhat unimpressive first impression, the game soon demonstrates its potential once Majima unexpectedly earns a chance to captain a pirate ship.

I’m quite ambivalent about the way Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii structures its primary plot and selects what aspects it emphasizes. The second chapter immediately throws players into acquiring a pirate ship, which progressively reveals a significant portion of the game’s locales, mechanics, and core features. This encompasses side quests, mini-games, key characters, an abundance of new naval components, and much more. As I delve further into the gameplay aspects of Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, I aim to express my reservations about its story developments as clearly and spoiler-free as possible.

What sets Majima apart in RGG Studio’s main series is his ability to hide his cleverness with an eccentric appearance; he often has a larger plan he’s working towards, although he isn’t always straightforward about it. A Majima without memories doesn’t necessarily take away from the fun aspects of his character, but there seems to be a certain charm or depth that is noticeably absent in the game as a whole.

Majima chose to live as a pirate for a while as a way of expressing gratitude towards Noah for rescuing him. This lifestyle also allows him to act independently. However, most of his pirate activities are aimed at fulfilling Noah’s dreams. Because of this, any background information about Majima before the events in Hawaii’s Pirate Yakuza take a back seat. He often mentions that he has no memories and isn’t eager to recover them since he is enjoying his new life as a pirate so much.

Despite the fact that the game “Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii” centers around Majima as the main character, it’s challenging to ignore the sensation that he is still supporting another character’s narrative. For most of the game, his encounters with familiar faces essentially amount to them reminding him who they were, yet Majima repeatedly denies knowing them at all. This somewhat diminishes the significance of Majima’s journey throughout the series.

In the core storyline of Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, two primary themes are emphasized: the struggle for power among different groups hunting for the enigmatic treasure of Esperanza, and the impact this decades-long search has had on Noah’s family. However, as the game concludes, it seems that the emotional depth of Noah’s family story could have been further explored, leaving a sense of unrealized potential. This observation extends to the main antagonists whose significance is not fully established throughout the game, making their final confrontations less impactful. Consequently, the narrative’s inconsistencies become more apparent during the closing chapter of Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, as many climactic moments feel unsatisfying due to underdeveloped characters and plotlines.

I find myself at odds with the storyline direction taken by Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, which might seem unusual to criticize. A substantial portion of the player’s everyday tasks aligned with the main plot often appear rather ordinary or unnecessary filler. Frequently, major plot developments nearly occur – only for the narrative to demand players retrace their steps yet again to complete a quick task before moving forward.

In brief, a crucial confrontation is imminent with one of the main villains at the Pirates Coliseum within the latest Madlantis setting. Many key storylines have been building up to this pivotal moment. However, just as it’s about to unfold… Majima and his team must make a hasty trip back to Honolulu to acquire a potent cannon said to be capable of harming that foe’s vessel, despite the fact that my current weapons are already equipped with lethal laser beams. Such abrupt departures have occurred in previous installments, but none as noticeable as Pirate Yakuza’s escapade in Hawaii.

Although I have some reservations about the main plot, it remains satisfactory overall. There’s a good balance of intense yakuza action mixed with an oddball premise to keep things interesting. It does seem peculiar that Noah consistently follows Majima so closely, even when Majima is headed towards potentially dangerous situations and Noah just tags along without question.

Personally speaking, among my suggestions for an engaging gaming experience, I’d advise diving into Infinite Wealth before Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, largely due to the captivating subplots. This game offers a rich tapestry of subplots that continue the narratives from Infinite Wealth. Although it’s not strictly necessary, revisiting these characters post their past ordeals makes their subsequent appearances even more poignant and immersive.

One unexpected new subplot within the game has left me quite surprised. It’s a sequence of interconnected subplots leading up to a shocking finale, which could potentially be one of the most cringe-worthy and awkward endings in the entire Yakuza/Like a Dragon series – that’s saying something! I can’t reveal too many details to avoid spoilers, but I’m eager to see how players react when they reach this point. While I’m not sure if the delivery of this subplot was perfectly executed, its message was clear to me.

Similar to The Man Who Erased His Name, RGG Studio returns to the real-time brawling genre with Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. Much like Kiryu from his spin-off game, Majima has two combat styles: Mad Dog, a traditional one reflecting his fighting legacy, and Sea Dog, a fresh style packed with new weapons. The battle flow is swift and nimble, mirroring the rhythm of the combat system in Lost Judgment. Players can seamlessly switch between these combat styles even during ongoing attack sequences to keep enemies on their toes.

In this new game installment, one standout feature is the inclusion of a jump button in combat situations – something that has never been present in the series before. Now, players have the ability to manually jump during battles for the first time. Certain powerful attacks send enemies flying, and Majima can automatically pursue them to keep up the attack. There are also abilities that propel an enemy skyward even quicker; one of these is humorously similar to the Electric Wind God Fist move from the popular game _Tekken_.

In the game Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, Mad Dog (Shimano) represents the most comprehensive expression of Majima’s modern combat technique following his storyline in Yakuza 0. Due to the short duration of the Majima Saga in Yakuza Kiwami 2, Mad Dog didn’t have a chance to fully display his fighting prowess when players controlled him. The Mad Dog style features some of the quickest animations ever seen in the series, blending rapid punches, kicks, and knife skills to make players feel like Majima is powerful from the get-go.

In the game, all the familiar aggravating techniques that players have encountered while battling Majima throughout the years are still present and ready to use now. That lightning-fast stab attack? It’s included. The whirling tornado slash? Absolutely. Now, Majima can also summon his duplicates using the new Madness Gauge, a power that seems to be an ultimate move that builds up by causing damage and performing Heat Actions. When this ability is activated in Mad Dog, Majima will temporarily summon his duplicates to aid him, as they attack autonomously or boost his other moves since they can act as echoes of his actions; in essence, a replica of the V-ISM from Street Fighter Alpha 3.

Instead, the pirate-themed Sea Dog combat method introduces a refreshing twist with a host of exciting new gadgets. Majima’s dual cutlasses enable him to deflect attacks from any angle and throw them like boomerangs. Over time, he also acquires additional weapons such as a reliable pistol and chain hook. These tools significantly enhance the Yakuza brawler genre with their unique charm. Moreover, some of the enhancement options for the Sea Dog style suggest that it could be one of the most powerful styles the series has introduced so far.

In the Sea Dog style, the Madness Gauge certainly earns its moniker. Throughout an optional extended tale, Majima has the chance to gather as many as four cursed “dark instruments.” Once the Madness Gauge becomes accessible, players can pick one of these instruments for gameplay, summoning a beast to wreak havoc on enemies. For instance, the initial violin dark instrument summons a swarm of sharks that feast on Majima’s adversaries. It’s absolutely preposterous, and I adore it!

In simpler terms, Majima’s fighting strategies eventually outshine the game itself. His stat and skill enhancements require money and reputation points, and once you reach a certain level early on, these resources become easy to accumulate. Instead of using the numerous combo options, I found it more efficient to dash across the battlefield with fast-moving abilities, as they deliver massive damage in quick bursts.

As a dedicated fan, I can tell you that this game offers an action-packed route filled with danger, especially when it comes to battling the relentless swarms of armed Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii who are always on the attack against Majima. These groups appear at consistent intervals, making it necessary for the game to include a visual and auditory warning system that signals when an enemy is about to shoot at Majima, giving players just enough time to dodge. Consequently, standing still against these groups becomes risky, pushing us to devise strategies that not only inflict damage but also allow for agility and maneuverability – tactics that the game initially didn’t seem to anticipate.

Despite the adversary AI appearing more hostile than usual for Yakuza games, it struggles with complex strategies, like repeatedly executing heavy attacks following a chain hook approach. As a result, I effortlessly overpowered standard fights and bosses without taking any damage, suggesting the game’s mechanics couldn’t handle the pace. However, I must admit that I found the combat in Pirate Yakuza set in Hawaii quite engaging due to the variety of options it offers. Over time, some strategies proved more effective than others.

Absolutely, an essential aspect of any pirate game is battling on the high seas. To elaborate, Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii isn’t an open-world game; instead, each significant location has a small sea map connected to it, allowing players to sail through the waters surrounding Honolulu or Madlantis before reaching the landmass itself. The landmarks and some lighthouses scattered across these sea maps can be used as fast travel points, so players don’t have to sail everywhere if they’ve previously unlocked those locations for quicker travel.

Ship-to-ship battleplay is generally satisfactory; I wouldn’t call it outstanding or poor. It has a game-like quality, as its simplicity is bolstered by flair rather than being a downside. The bow of the ship is equipped with machine guns that shoot forward exclusively, while cannons are placed on the left and right sides.

In this game, each of the three weapons you see can be improved or replaced with various other types of armaments. Should you prefer to trade your standard cannonballs for laser-shooting turrets or flamethrowers, you’re more than welcome – just make sure you have the required materials to unlock them at Julie’s Gearworks shop. Also, there’s no need for both sides to carry the same type of weapon; one side could have lasers while the other has flamethrowers, for example. Regrettably, the front-facing machine guns are fixed and must always be machine guns, but you do get a variety of machine guns to select from.

Navigating battles against other ships feels slower than expected. The base speed of our ship is very slow without the boosters propelling it to a tolerable pace. However, the boosters recharge on their own over time. Players can also quickly activate the pirate ship’s thrusters again by using a fuel barrel resource, even if the booster gauge isn’t fully charged yet. These fuel barrels can be acquired while exploring, defeating enemies, or entering safe zones near fast travel points.

In the boost phases, players can navigate Majima’s pirate ship skillfully to execute tight turns. Destroying enemy ships involves ramming into them, lining them up alongside Majima’s vessel for a weapon attack, and spraying them with machine gun fire in between. Maintaining a high level of boost movement is beneficial due to the base speed being relatively sluggish. If Majima’s ship sustains excessive damage, a crew member may faint, causing the corresponding weapon to malfunction. Players can switch to “pirate deck” mode during combat to quickly revive these teammates. A smokescreen feature offers temporary reinforcement, offering protection and giving players some respite knowing their damaged ship won’t be destroyed immediately.

It was disappointing not to find any way to enhance the pirate ship’s speed, as it currently stands. Instead, they’ve chosen to boost the number of fuel barrels the ship can carry, but even when at maximum capacity, it doesn’t seem sufficient. Despite this, I haven’t disliked the naval combat in Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, though I wouldn’t say it’s exceptional. There are wind current rings that aid navigation, but they’re only accessible outside of combat situations.

In some pirate battles, there’s a lead ship that offers extra challenge due to enhanced combat. When the health of this main ship is exhausted, players can team up with up to 20 NPC crew members to storm the boss ship and eliminate all the adversaries simultaneously. This action instantly concludes the battle, regardless of the number of remaining enemy ships. While it’s possible to neglect the other vessels, their continuous cannon fire may hinder the invasion by momentarily disrupting Majima’s group.

One of Pirate Yakuza Hawaii’s key features is the ability to enlist optional characters for Majima’s fresh pirate gang. You can find some of these individuals scattered around Honolulu and Madlantis. They usually have a minimal condition to meet before they join Majima. Additionally, crew members are also available in most minigame stores, making it even more appealing to test out numerous minigames in this latest Like a Dragon installment. Substories often grant new crewmates as well.

On a pirate ship, team members can be assigned diverse positions, ranging from handling weaponry or engaging in boarding actions. Their effectiveness in these roles varies according to their distinct attributes; some excel in seafaring battles, whereas others demonstrate superiority in head-on encounters.

Despite the fact that higher rarity crewmates are theoretically assigned a maximum level, it doesn’t diminish the worth of lower rarity ones due to their unique abilities. For example, the Crazy Delivery minigame NPC may be bronze-ranked, but they possess an exclusive area-of-effect ability that involves the bike. Conversely, the Alo-Happy mascot unexpectedly wields a flamethrower capable of friendly fire damage.

Players can bring up to four teammates during optional island exploration sections found on the sea maps with hidden treasures and artifacts. These sections offer substantial rewards in both money and reputation. Typically, these areas are compact and labyrinthine, featuring a final boss battle or an area where enemies spawn in waves. These mini-adventures encourage players to explore different zones within each sea map.

Enthusiasts of Role-Playing Games (RPG) might find themselves in a risky situation due to the existence of an extensive guide detailing all the treasures. Acquiring every item calls for active participation in nearly every mini-game. To lure players towards this potentially perilous route, RGG Studio strategically positions enormous treasure chests next to almost every Non-Player Character (NPC) who sells a unique item in their individual shop. This tactic prompted me to delve into shogi for the first time in this series. Consequently, I familiarized myself with the movement of each piece and subsequently visited a site that provided optimal moves for each turn to outsmart the shogi CPU opponents, thereby accruing enough points to acquire not only the shogi minigame’s treasure but also its unique crewmates.

In Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, there were several other gameplay elements I found enjoyable beyond what I’ve already discussed. For instance, there’s the intriguing system where Majima wears ten rings on each finger, which boost his stats. This is interesting because if you wear certain combinations of rings, they offer set bonuses – a feature that’s similar to how progression systems in isometric loot-driven action RPGs work.

Additionally, the costume customization seen in The Man Who Erased His Name is taken to new heights in Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. Not only can Majima change the style of his outfits, but you can also modify his pirate ship as well, adding a whole new layer to the customization options.

During my playtime with the pre-release version of Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii on my PC, I encountered several game crashes. However, it’s unclear how widespread this problem is as my peers who have also been playing the game haven’t reported any such issues. My crashes usually occurred during story cutscenes, particularly after the game had run for about 3-4 hours. This was more noticeable in the latter stages of the game, making it frustrating because there wasn’t much autosave or manual save options in those sections, leading to repeated playthroughs of certain parts. In total, I experienced around six crashes during my extensive 40-hour gaming session.

Pirate Yakuza” presents some challenges for me to assess. The storyline’s flow seems inconsistent and occasionally off-target. However, its combat system is smooth, particularly with the innovative Sea Dog style, but it appears that Majima holds too much power, making enemy AI struggle to keep pace. Many of the pirate-related systems seem versatile yet lack depth, delivering a superficial satisfaction at best. I appreciate several aspects of “Pirate Yakuza” in Hawaii, but I can’t overlook the numerous major flaws either.

In addition to the PC version, “Like a Dragon: Ishin!”, which takes place in Hawaii with pirates and yakuza, can also be played on the PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One gaming platforms.

2025-02-18 18:29

Read More