Like a Dragondeveloper Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio has a lot on its plate in 2025. While the recently announced projects of anewVirtua Fighterand the mysteriousProject Centuryare enough to get fans speculating, one of the more concrete titles players have to look forward to is releasing early in the new year. WithLike a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaiilaunching in February 2025, players will soon be thrust back into the shoes of fan-favorite character Goro Majima, but the Mad Dog of Shimano isn’t the only familiar face the game should feature.
According to the developers,Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaiiwill not be on the same scale as a mainline title like 2024’sLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, but will still be more robust than 2023’sLike a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name. With this in mind, it’s possible thatPirate Yakuza in Hawaiimay follow a similar narrative structure to that ofGaiden, opening the door for a hefty amount of side content. This gives the game the perfect chance to replicate one of the best side quests inLike a Dragon Gaiden, which featured a cameo from another RGG series.
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii Should Feature a Judgment Cameo
Its status as a spin-off game allowedLike a Dragon Gaidento include references to the larger RGG universe, including theJudgmentseries, which hadn’t previously crossed over withLike a Dragondespite being set in the same universe. InGaiden, players can take on the Akame Network Request End the Destruction, which seesKiryu team up with Masaharu Kaito, one of theJudgmentseries' protagonists. This side quest is a fun crossover for fans of both RGG series to experience, andPirate Yakuza in Hawaiishouldn’t miss the opportunity to do the same.
Like a Dragon Gaiden’s End the Destruction quest not only features Kiryu interacting with Kaito, butJudgment’s Toru Higashi and Fumiya Sugiura, the latter of which can be recruited to the Joryu Clan in the game’s Colosseum.Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaiiwould be a great chance to see Majima interact with these same characters, allowing for a dynamic that hasn’t been seen in either of the two series up to this point. Perhaps Sugiura and Makoto Tsukumo could appear in the game as representatives of the Yokohama 99 detective agency following theevents ofLost Judgment.
Sugiura and Tsukumo appear as cameos inLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, so there’s the possibility they make their way intoLike a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaiias well.
A Third Judgment Game Could Be Teased in Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii
Following the originalJudgmentand its sequel,Lost Judgment, many fans are hoping to see a third game in the series set in Hawaii, following the pattern set byLost Judgmenttaking place in Isezaki IjinchoafterYakuza: Like a Dragon. If this type of thirdJudgmentgame were to ever come to fruition, setting it up by placing some of its characters in Hawaii for aPirate Yakuzacameo makes a lot of sense. It would also establish a president for other “Gaiden” games in theLike a Dragonfranchise to feature cameos from other RGG Studios series.
WithMajima’s ability to recruit his own pirate crewinLike a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, the perfect opportunity exists for some of theseJudgmentcharacters to show up as recruitable pirate allies, similar to how players can recruit Sugiura for the Colosseum inGaiden. While it might be a stretch to justify why some ofJudgment’s cast would show up in Hawaii, it could lay the foundation for the franchise’s future. It could also help satiate fans hoping for a newJudgmentgame while RGG works onVirtua FighterandProject Century.
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii
WHERE TO PLAY
A new legend begins as you step into the steel toe boots of Goro Majima, a man who has lost his memory and reinvents himself as a pirate on the open sea.Embark on an over-the-top, modern-day pirate adventure with an ex-yakuza, now pirate captain and his crew as they engage in exhilarating combat on land and sea in the hunt for lost memories and a legendary treasure.PIRATE YAKUZA ADVENTURE AHOY!Goro Majima, a notorious ex-yakuza suddenly finds himself shipwrecked on a remote island in the Pacific. Unable to remember even his own name, he sets sail in search of clues to his lost memories, accompanied by a boy named Noah who saved his life. Before long, they’re caught up in a conflict between cutthroat criminals, modern-day pirates, and other scoundrels over a legendary treasure.GET YOUR SHIP TOGETHERAssemble a one-of-a-kind crew while upgrading your ship as you explore the open sea and forge your legend in the cannon fire of foes, unexpected friendships, and immense riches made along the way.When an enemy pirate ship catches you in their sights, an exhilarating real-time cannon battle breaks out. Quickly maneuver into position while avoiding fire, then deliver devastating damage to board the enemy ship and take down the captain in all-out crew vs. crew brawls. Conquer the seas, discover hidden islands and acquire loads of loot like a true yakuza pirate!KICK ARRRSS WITH CREATIVE COMBATDynamically switch between the “Mad Dog” and “Sea Dog” fighting styles to mix-up attacks and deliver explosive combos, juggles, and aerial takedowns that reward your creativity with over-the-top action.With “Mad Dog” style, utilize speed, agility, and flair to deliver precise yet powerful blows that stun your enemies into submission. Or make enemies walk the plank with the “Sea Dog” style that has you dual-wielding short swords and deploying tricky pirate tools to kick some serious booty.
