SEGA and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio bring back the Yakuza action with Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii! Fans of the Like a Dragon series, formerly Yakuza outside of Japan, will be thrilled with this over-the-top Pirate twist on a favorite franchise. The demo went live for Steam Next Fest, so we got a chance to check it out for you.

Kick Arrrs Combat 

Goro Majima, a notorious ex-yakuza and protagonist of the Like a Dragon franchise, has taken up life on the high-seas with Jason, Noah, and a whole crew of miscellaneous miscreants. The demo starts you off mid-story as you sail into the harbor of Honolulu, Hawaii. Your barnacle encrusted sailing ship contrasts ridiculously against the polished high-rises and yachts in the bay. Honestly, so does your pirate gear, so you dress up in your best Hawaiian shirt civvies and hit the beach.

Apparently this docking is meant for you to stock up on supplies before you sail for the mystical Madlantis. However, for the purposes of the demo it’s both a tutorial and exploration level. In your civvies you have access to the Mad Dog fighting style that Majima is known for in previous entries. You’ve got good, ol’ fisticuffs and knife-skills to wield against any opponent. Don your pirate gear again, however, and you access your Sea Dog style, wielding sabres and flintlock pistols. 

You also get access to ocean deity ultimates! They charge like your mad meter, and change depending on the instrument you play to invoke them. Don’t ask me, ‘cause I am just as confused as you. But hey, rule of cool, right?

Adventure Ahoy!

Once you’re done gathering collectables, playing darts, and drinking with the best of them you’re leaving Hawaii for the hallowed halls of Madlantis. Hidden in an ocean cave, Madlantis gives modern Tortuga meets Disneyland. A graveyard of ships strung up with lights where pirates can carouse to their hearts’ content. We get a cameo of the creeptastic Mad Queen of Madlantis before we disembark, not knowing anything except that Majima is trying to find some guy named Keith.

Before we even get there, though, you get dragged into the Pirate’s Colosseum. Did any of you like Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag? ‘Cause if you did, you’re going to love this. Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii’s demo doesn’t let you sail on the open seas like the full game, but it does give you endless oceanic arena combat. 

The demo ends when you finally do catch up with Kieth and engage in a full early-game boss fight, but between exploring Honolulu beach and the Pirate’s Colosseum there’s plenty to do.

A Great Game in Ship-Shape

As expected from a Like a Dragon game, the graphics are true AAA quality. You have realistic textures mixed with fantastic flame-like particle flares. The pirate-core ship really doesn’t mix well with the well-polished Honolulu, but that may be part of the point. Your ship and Madlantis could just as easily feature in a Pirates of the Caribbean game. 

I also really respect SEGA and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio keeping the original Japanese voice acting, rather than getting an English cast for the English release. This is something that the Like a Dragon series is known for, particularly after they left the Yakuza naming behind for their international releases. Yet even then there are moments that the lip flaps don’t match up, which is both hilarious and face-palm worthy. It gives Asian live-action from the 90’s, you know?

Overall, though? This spin-off title really makes me want to get back into the franchise. I fully expected this to be an off-the-wall indie game and was surprised to find it was actually a cannon game from the Yakuza franchise. I’m dating myself a bit there, but genuinely, as wild as the concept and title are Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii promises to be an absolutely stellar game.

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is out now on PS4/5, Xbox Series X/S/One and PC through Steam. It retails starting at $ 59.99 USD for standard.