Like a dragon’s last entry is a weird blast

The latest expansion of the Yakuza series, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is a combat-heavy adventure that fuses the action of the classic games with a more modern goofy approach. Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is the latest spin-off in the long run Yakuza SeriesWhich has expanded over the years from a crime drama into a sprawling universe that can balance high-stakes combat with karaoke mini-games. Recent titles have embraced the inherently silly aspects of the universe, but nowhere near as much as the newly announced Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii.

The game is an open-ended adventure Where players can master different weapons while trying to rally together the most fearsome pirate crew on the open seas. It’s a quirky title and one that’s effortlessly entertaining. During a preview event in Los Angeles attended by Screen RantI got the chance to play as a returning Goro Majima and experience the pirate life for myself. Build off the combat and expansive scope of Infinite WealthThe gameplay of Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is a chaotic blast that is quick to pick up but almost impossible to put down.

The world of Pirate Yakuza is a colorful and engaging world to plunder

The pirate’s life for Majima

Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii Picks up six months after the events of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth. Washing up on the shores of Rich Island in the Pacific, An amnesiac Goro Majima finds himself embracing an extraordinary new life as a pirate captain. Able to switch between a more modern style and a literal swashbuckling high-seas adventurer at the click of a button, Majima’s adventures across bustling cities, secret pirate coves and the open seas are absolutely bonkers, and the game is all the better for it. .

During the demo, I was tasked with traveling between the comfortable Hawaiian beach of Honolulu, and a secret city of criminals and killers. Although Majima is the focus character, his brooding crew (including a fellow former yakuza, a father, his gay son and their pet tiger cub) accompany him as he embarks on the ship graveyard/criminal city of Madlantis. The settings are at once clear and exciting in their own ways, with Plenty of roving gangs of enemies for the players to defeat.

It’s an equally lively world, especially when players get the chance to run around the dark neon makeshift docks of Madlantis and explore the restaurants, casinos and coliseums that fill the city. It is here players are teased with bosses of different influence and power, ranging from the mysterious Queen Michelle to low-level captains named Keith. The latter serves as the demo’s big boss with a brawl in the city square that Showcases the importance of changing up combat styles mid-fight.

The ridiculous nature of the title is treated with the same open seriousness that’s always defined Thee Yakuza series, which just makes the straight delivery all the funnier. The name “Kit” appearing in flaming bold letters like he’s a monster that needs to be killed is quietly hilarious, and sets the tone perfectly. in execution, Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is a compelling new settingWith enough unique vibes to stand out from previous entries in the series.

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza’s combat is a bombastic blast

Two combat styles flow together for colorful fights

That bonkers “go-for-broke” approach to gameplay in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii fit the tone well, Matching the strange elements of the world with an over-the-top fighting system. Combat is brought back to an older form in this title. While Infinite Dragon Adopted a turn-based combat style that became the norm for the main line Yakuza Games, the adventures in Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii Return to the beat-em-up roots of the series.

Combat is a chaotic but entertaining mess of body parts and combos, and I found myself often surrounded but rarely overwhelmed. The demo highlighted the game’s true approach to combat, which comes in the form of two different stances. Mad Dog changes Majima into his stylish attire, and Plays more like the older one Yakuza Games. A series of combos can be delivered to knock enemies to the sky, set up further attacks or reposition.

The addition of a jump button adds a whole dimension to the combat, allowing players to string together bigger hits or suddenly escape a fight. This form also uses knives and shadow clones, providing a combo-heavy approach that can quickly start juggling enemies. rather, The Sea Dog Stance shifts weapons and changes Majima’s appearance To someone who wouldn’t look out of place alongside Jack Sparrow.

This gives players a new number of weapons, including a pair of throwable cutlasses, a grappling hook that can cover distances almost instantly, a flintlock pistol that can be charged to deliver a powerful blast. Both approaches feel unique enough to stand apartWith different combos and approaches to combat. Each form is fun, though the over-the-top fun of seeing Majima go into slow-motion kill-mode while throwing swords at people is a personal favorite.

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is everything you want from Yakuza

Pirate Yakuza is an action-packed blast

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is far from the more dramatic elements of the franchise, and that’s not a problem at all. Like a dragon was a breath of fresh air for the Yakuza series, a funny but grounded take on the franchise that adopted a strategic approach and includes several minigames that can further keep players entertained and distracted. The result is a title that Feels like the best of both worldsRetaining the goofy elements of Infinite Dragon While bringing back a bombastic gameplay style that actually fits well alongside it.

The two aspects of Yakuza Yellow health togetherThe traditional pirate visuals purposefully juxtapose against the modern setting for some understated dry comedy. There are also many minigames to experience in the two settings. In the demo, players can quickly find places to play cards, race karts or try to pull off some wild deliveries. There are also teases of other minigames, teasing that the scope of the game may try to match the massive size of Infinite Wealth. That’s on top of all the collectibles that can be acquired and crafted in other forms.

All these elements benefit from the independent approachSomething that Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaiis embrace of the strange is enhanced by. The result is a game that moves quickly but is bombastic enough to match the sudden combat and kooky elements. Fans of both the old Yakuza Titles and Like a dragon Will find a lot to love about LLike a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in HawaiiAnd plenty to do once they step into the islands.

Systems

Released

February 20, 2025

developer(s)

Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio

ESRB

Mature 17+ // Blood, intense violence, partial nudity, sexual themes, strong language, use of alcohol