Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii - Majima Goes Pirate

Yakuza Meets Pirates: The Surprise New Direction

It is once again that Sega and Ryu ga Gotoku Studio are increasing the bar for the adored Yakuza franchise with a brand-new announcement: “Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii“. Something no one expected-an unexpected spin-off that takes a fan favorite in a swashbuckling adventure that promises to be just as interesting as crazy.

From Streets to Seas: The New Adventure of Majima

He rides the waves of a storyline twist of most bizarre anime ever, but ends up getting washed onto Rich Island shores with not a clue how he got there. True to his unpredictability, he punches his way through in order to have the pirate ship because, of course, why not? The game follows Majima and his new crew as they set sail on a journey of legendary treasure located across the high seas and in a mysterious pirate city known as “Madlantis.”

Gameplay: Old Meets New

Although the setting is far from Kamurocho’s neon-drenched streets, “Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii” retains much about the experience series fans have been enjoying:

Classical Combat: The game will go back to its true time beat-’em-up heritage, returning to a different, turn-based system of the recent games.
Fighting Styles: Players will be able to switch to either “Mad Dog” or “Sea Dog” mode for good old-fashioned combat versatility.
Familiar Missions: Bike courier missions from “Infinite Wealth” return to give players that taste of familiarity in a tropical setting.

New Horizons: Naval Warfare and Exploration

But it’s not all so familiar. The game brings some really fresh new elements to tie in with its pirate setting:

Naval Combat: Engage in “exhilarating real-time cannon battles” with enemy ships.
Open Sea Exploration: While details are scarce, the game promises a shot at “exploring the open sea”, potentially offering a new level of freedom in the Yakuza universe.

A Tradition of Unconventional Spin-offs

It was not the first time that the Yakuza series did a sharp turn into the unanticipated. Fans of the franchise would remember “Yakuza: Dead Souls,” wherein our gangsters were fighting through a zombie apocalypse. “Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii” carries on this pattern of bold experimentation through the smart reuse of assets in this instance, utilizing assets found from versions of Hawaii from prior games to bring new experiences.

Release Info and Editions

Purists mark the calendar for Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, out February 27, 2025. The open-world action-adventure game launches on the following platforms:

Because no one has business getting business like Sega, the Deluxe Edition will be chock-full of DLC for players with an even deeper interest in Majima’s pirate escapade.

Our Take: A Bold New Horizon

While saying this would sound really surprising at the least, “Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii” definitely boasts good franchise ability to transform while holding onto its essential magic. The blending of what the fans know and love from the gameplay and freshness from the pirate setting could make for a unique gaming experience that both fans from ages and newcomers can enjoy.

But will sea legs prove to be as strong as his street-fighting abilities? Only time will tell, but there is one thing for certain. This is one pirate yarn we are looking to see.

Are you excited to sail the seas with Majima in this strange new pirate adventure? Let us know what you think about the wild new direction for the Yakuza series in the comments below!

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