Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii,the latest entry in the long-runningYakuzaseries, puts the spotlight on recurring character Goro Majima. Typically appearing as a rival or ally to Kazuma Kiryu, Majima finally takes center stage in this high-seas adventure, in which he will journey to Hawaii and lead his own pirate crew.Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaiiis both a new direction for the series with its nautical theme and a return to past traditions, such as fast-paced, action-heavy combat and the Hawaii setting first introduced inLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth.
Pirate Yakuza In HawaiiWill Blend Old And New
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaiiis scheduled to release on June 12, 2025, for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. It is currently available for pre-order. The game will take place six months after the conclusion ofLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealthand will seeGoro Majimawashing up in Hawaii with amnesia and forming his own pirate crew to fight both pirates and ex-yakuza members. The details of how and why Majima lost his memory have not yet been revealed, but he genuinely seems not to recall his yakuza past.
UnlikeLike a Dragonand its follow-upInfinite Wealth,which were turn-based RPGs,Pirate Yakuza in Hawaiiwill return to the beat ‘em up combat style of previousYakuzagames. Majima will be able to switch between theMad Dog style, reminiscent ofYakuza 0,and the new pirate-themed Sea Dog style. The two styles each have distinct Heat Actions, and Mad Dog focuses primarily on speed, defense, and hand-to-hand combat, while Sea Dog sees Majima able to wield two swords in battle as well as pistols and even a grappling hook. In addition to combat on land, there will also be crew vs. crew pirate battles taking place at sea.
The Game Will Be Rich With Side Content
Like previousYakuzagames,Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaiiwill not just feature a gripping main story, but also a plethora of side content. Confirmed new and returning activities includeCrazy Delivery,a fast-paced delivery game which first appeared inInfinite Wealth,Sicko Snap, a photography game also fromInfinite Wealth,and Dragon Kart racing, returning from the originalLike a Dragon.Quiz-taking at the Vocational School will also return, and will presumably allow Majima to raise his stats in some way. Due to its return to the Hawaii setting ofInfinite Wealth,it is possible that that game’s Aloha Links social app could come back as well.
These returning activities will join the series staples of gambling, batting practice, karaoke, and the ability to play retro games in arcades. Developer RGG Games recently confirmed several classic games which will be appearing inPirate Yakuza in Hawaii: The Ocean Hunter, Poseidon Wars 3D, Space Harrier 3D,andStar Jacker.The Ocean Hunter,a deep-see shooter in which players take down sharks and other marine predators, had never been ported to consoles prior to its appearance inPirate Yakuza.
In addition to its returning side content,Pirate Yakuza in Hawaiiwill feature some brand-new side activities. Players will be able to participate in crew vs. crew and captain vs. captain battles in the pirate hangout of Madlantis, with the Goro Pirates pitting themselves against tough crews from all across the seven seas. Also debuting in this game is “Masaru’s Love Journey,” in which Majima has to help a young man named Masaru find a date. Plus, players will be able to customize Majima’s appearance both in and out of combat, choosing from over 200 items, including brand-new pirate gear, his classic Mad Dog printed jackets, and his “Goromi” hostess disguise.
Multiple Special Editions Are Available
In addition to the base version of the game, several special editions ofPirate Yakuza in Hawaiiare also available to purchase. Each of these comes with different in-game bonuses, includingnew outfits for Majimaand new characters who players can recruit to join their pirate crew. The three different versions of the game currently announced are as follows:
Players who pre-order the game before June 23, 2025, can unlock a nostalgic bonus.Like a Dragon’sIchiban Kasugabecomes a crew member, while his loyal pet crayfish Nancy joins the Backup Crew. In addition, two Ichiban-themed outfits - one based onLike a Dragonand one onInfinite Wealth -will be available for Majima to wear.
The Digital Deluxe Edition features the following:
The Collector’s Edition includes a physical copy of the game, all the downloadable DLC contained in the Deluxe Edition, and exclusive physical bonus items. Bonus items vary between the Western and Japanese versions of the game but can include Majima’s eye patch, a Goro Pirates flag, and an acrylic standee ofMajima in all of his pirate finery.
WillPirate Yakuza In HawaiiHave Additional DLC?
At this time, the only DLC revealed forLike A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaiiare the bonus crew member, karaoke, outfit, and ship customization packs bundled with the Digital Deluxe edition. It is possible that more DLC will be released in the future, such as additional story content, more pirate crews to battle, or aNew Game+mode.
However, RGG’s strategy for the past fewYakuzagames has been to announce all DLC up front, such asInfinite Wealth’sNew Game+, and make it purchasable from day one. If they continue to use this strategy, it is unlikely - but not impossible - that there will be further DLC forPirate Yakuza in Hawaiithat will be released later in 2025.
