September 26th 2024.
The latest release from the Yakuza series has got everyone talking. GameCentral was lucky enough to get a hands-on experience with the first standalone game featuring Goro Majima, the ex-yakuza turned pirate. If you've played any of the previous Yakuza games, you'll surely remember Majima. Although he may not be the face of the series, his appearances have always been a highlight, stealing the show with his wild and unpredictable antics. Many fans consider his origin story in Yakuza 0, where he shares the spotlight with Kazuma Kiryu, to be one of the main reasons why the game is still considered one of the best in the series.
Despite being a fan favorite, Majima has taken a backseat in recent entries, only making brief appearances towards the end of the game. This dedicated spin-off is long overdue, but it begs the question of whether there is enough depth to his character beyond his exaggerated persona. As the title suggests, Pirate Yakuza In Hawaii doesn't take itself too seriously. Majima is at his most camp, channeling the swagger of Captain Jack Sparrow and wielding cutlass swords on a tropical island called Madlantis. Based on our hands-on preview, this spin-off is full of fun and eccentricities, staying true to Majima's larger-than-life personality. However, the real question is whether there is enough substance to elevate it from a mere quirky extension to Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth.
The game starts with Majima being washed up on a remote island in the Pacific, with no memory of who he is or how he got there. He is rescued by a young boy named Noah, and the story follows Majima as he tries to piece together his lost memories while living the life of a pirate captain, just for the thrill of it. Although we didn't get to see much of the story, our session began with Majima, Noah, and their crewmates arriving on the shores of Hawaii, only to be greeted by a group of thugs looking for a fight. Pirate Yakuza In Hawaii returns to the action brawler combat style of the original games, with Majima sporting two fighting styles - Mad Dog and Sea Dog. The former builds on Majima's nimble style seen in previous entries, with lightning-fast dagger strikes and a fierce, kinetic presence. However, this time he has some new tricks up his sleeve.
The biggest change to the combat system is the addition of a jump button - a first for the series. Not only does it provide another way to dodge attacks, but it also allows for aerial combos and attacks from above. It may seem like a minor addition, but it adds a new layer of flexibility to the otherwise rigid battle mechanics of Like A Dragon. In fact, it took some getting used to when facing larger groups of enemies. Additionally, there is a "Madness gauge" that gradually fills up during battles. When it's full and Majima is in Mad Dog mode, he can unleash a wave of doppelgangers to take out any remaining enemies. It may seem overpowered, but it's incredibly satisfying to watch a horde of Majima's decimate a group of pirates.
On the Sea Dog side, the combat takes on a more Long John Silver vibe. Majima dons a feathered pirate hat and wields cutlass swords that can be thrown like spinning blades, a charged pistol that can take out multiple foes at once, and a wire hook to latch onto enemies and move around the battlefield. It takes some practice to find the perfect timing for each attack, but the frenetic energy of the combat is enjoyable and feels like a natural extension of Kiryu's "gadget fighting" style from Like A Dragon Gaiden.
Apart from the combat, we also got a glimpse of Madlantis - this game's equivalent of the Castle area in Like A Dragon Gaiden. In the final game, players will be able to freely sail to Madlantis, but in our preview build, we had to fast travel. Therefore, it's still unclear how much freedom players will have on the open sea. Madlantis is a bustling hub for the local pirates, offering various activities such as poker, blackjack, shopping, and the series' staple Coliseum. Although the fighting arena was closed off in our preview, a pop-up message hinted that the promised ship battles will also be part of the Coliseum experience. It seems like they will play a significant role in the overall game.
While we couldn't try out the ship battles or open sea traversal, we did get to explore part of the Hawaii map from Infinite Wealth and try out some mini-games. Dragon Kart makes a return from Yakuza: Like A Dragon, with new courses set on the tight streets of Hawaii. Crazy Delivery also makes a comeback, with new routes through the Anaconda shopping center. In Hawaii, Majima can also use a new "Search mode" to find hidden treasures and items in certain areas. For those who have played previous games in the series, this may seem familiar, but the best new addition is the expanded customization. In the safe house at the Revolve bar, players can dress up Majima with a variety of eye patches, facial make-up, and ear jewelry, split between "casual" and "pirate" outfits. This level of customization is a first for the series and extends to Majima's companion, a baby tiger named Goro, who can also be dressed up in a cute captain's hat and eye patch.
Unfortunately, the demo's limitations meant that we spent some time exploring the menus for additional information. In a nice pirate-themed touch, attack and defense upgrades are tied to rings that players can equip on Majima's hands. We also found collectible materials related to the creation of rings and cannons, presumably for ship upgrades. Beyond that, standard upgrades are also available, and players can modify or swap out their weapons - the cutlass swords, pistol, and wire hook - as they please.
Without trying out the ship battles or open sea traversal, it's hard to say whether Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza In Hawaii will offer enough new ideas to do justice to Majima's character. The combat has the potential to be the best in the series, but so far, there isn't much else to go on that we haven't already seen in the franchise. For now, we can only hope that hidden treasures will reveal themselves when the mad dog sets sail.
Formats: Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC
Price: £54.99
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio
Release Date: 28th February 2025
Age Rating: 18
The map from Infinite Wealth makes a return
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