The Japanese developer Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio surprised fans with an announcement of a new Yakuza game featuring fan-favorite character Goro Majima in a pirate adventure set in Hawaii, scheduled for release on February 28, 2025. A brief demo of the game, titled Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, was played in a Los Angeles office, showcasing the combat system and gameplay elements. The demo started with Majima arriving in Honolulu and engaging in a brawl with local tough guys, allowing players to experience the live-action fighting roots of the series.
Players can switch between two fighting styles, Mad Dog and Sea Dog, with Sea Dog style being more enjoyable as it allows Majima to use a grappling hook and throw swords like boomerangs. The demo also introduced a new area called Madlantis, a pirate city hidden on a mountain island, filled with neon lights, casinos, and coliseums overseen by a queen ruling from a marooned tanker. The demo included a boss battle with Keith, a pirate boss who had wronged Majima, before moving to Honolulu to engage in minigames like karaoke and food delivery.
Despite the short playtime, the demo confirmed that Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii retains the Yakuza game feel, offering tight and delightful combat. The game’s setting and tone, particularly Madlantis, align with the audacious title of the game, providing a unique and immersive experience for players. The reputation of Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio for producing great games, along with their track record of releasing expansive games annually, adds to the anticipation for Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, even though many details about the game are still unknown.
The studio’s ability to fulfill the promise of their games’ premises, combined with their disciplined approach to game development and release, instills confidence in the potential success of Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. The game promises a mix of traditional Yakuza elements with a pirate adventure twist, offering players a new and exciting experience within the Yakuza universe. Despite the limited information available, the gameplay demo and the studio’s track record indicate that players can expect an entertaining and engaging experience when the game is released.
