In an era where players must wait a full console cycle for a sequel to a hit, Ryu Ga Gotoku (RGG) manage to rapid-fire game releases yearly in their Yakuza and Like a Dragon series. The art of re-using assets to create a fresh voyage may not always spark excitement, yet RGG continue to find innovative ways to build on character arcs in similar locations. Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is the latest example of their successful model, returning to Honolulu and the island surrounds with a series favourite as captain. This isn’t just a new coat of paint on a sturdy vessel. Here, we have pirate tales and a different combat system. We have naval combat, a full crew to assemble and a ship to kit out. While the same city from last year’s Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth plays a core role in the game – with many returning sub-plots – the overall package is crammed full of countless new features and locales that create the wildest, wackiest Yakuza game yet. This is rums-down the best Gaiden (Japanese for side-story) in the series and serves as a bridge to the next mainline title with action-packed flair.
If one remembers when Pirates of the Caribbean first released in 2003, you’ll recall the cultural pirate boom that followed thanks to Captain Jack Sparrow and his wild sea escapades. Pirate Yakuza invokes this feeling, from the swashbuckling soundtrack to the focus on reputation and even the language (savvy?). The pirate theme is not just a cosmetic. The series blends so well with high seas treasure hunting one would expect from a pirate title, and the follow-up to Infinite Wealth sees it connect seamlessly in the wider narrative. A must-have in pirate adventure is the companions we meet and fight alongside during the heights of havoc. While this is not a JRPG, party management remains key (weapon types, strengths and weaknesses) and ensures Majima always has sidekicks of his choosing to assist any pillaging. Raiding islands for booty with a band of buccaneer misfits is thrilling, especially early, rewarded through useful upgrades and all-in boss brawls that become addictive. Any reservations are removed a few hours in, when you find yourself saying ‘maybe the pirate life is for me’.
Majima is a fan favourite and has not been playable since Yakuza 0. He’s renowned because of his mad dog fighting style, straightforward attitude and general mystique that may not apply to other playable characters in the prolonged series. In Pirate Yakuza, Majima has amnesia and cannot remember who he is (outside of the hints via Yakuza tattoos all over his body). Convenient, but this provides an entry point for new and old players. Washing up on the shore of an island, Majima is found by a 10-year-old boy named Noah and his pet tiger cub. Story builds from here as our lead tries to figure out who he is and why he’s suddenly marooned in Hawaii. The story is much tighter than expected. While there are many detours along the way – through choice or design – a seriousness in plot juxtaposed against the wild pirate goodness is a balance the series thrives within: high stakes narrative interlinked with its own history. Still, most will be here for the island-hopping adventures of Majima the pirate. And oh, what a pirate he is (the eye patch was a clue all along).
In terms of gameplay, any veteran of Yakuza would expect the vast array of mini-games and in-depth character building through an extensive list of stylish items. But the combat takes a slightly different approach, providing Majima’s old school mad dog style with the dual-cutlass sea dog style. These stances can be swapped with the press of a button in-fight (even during a combo) and provide options in how to tackle the many, many foes on screen. Fights are frequent, requiring both a proactive and reactive button mash depending on difficulty. There are light and heavy attacks, grapples, use of guns and hooks, and even the calling of animals to turn the tide of battle. All healing items can be accessed in the pause menu during a fight. Just when you’re comfortable with the fast-paced movement and button layout, another technique such as long-range firearms will pop up and change the way you play. This happens constantly across the game’s 20+ hour runtime and ensures a freshness to each chapter, though the sea dog style quickly becomes the better option. The thrill of completing a Dynasty Warrior type situation with dozens of enemies on screen through the list of skill moves remains a joy right up until the final boss, even if repetition can creep in – demonstrating why the change from turn-based was decided upon for Majima’s adventure. This is not a man that stands back and waits his turn, encouraging an aggressive mindset befit of any reputable pirate. The naval combat is comparable to the style of earlier Assassin’s Creed games, though more intuitive and streamlined. Most battles are short, loud and hectic. A perfect summation of the title.
Madlantis, a pirate hub in the same mould as Tortuga, is home to the Pirate Coliseum and a range of other opportunities to make money. The visuals of this home to scum and villainy are a delight on the senses, lit by neon signs and crawling with all manner of delinquents, ladies of the night and pirates ready to brawl. Compare this to the expansive streets of Honolulu, the seclusion of Rich Island and the open seas, and the change is location means a change of gameplay. While nowhere near the length of Infinite Wealth, Pirate Yakuza was surprisingly packed with activities and places to get lost within if you so choose. Make your own zoo, recruit countless different crew members, play retro games on the Sega Master System, cook a feast or scale a roof with a grappling hook – it’s up to the player how time is spent, and not all of it needs to make sense. The narrative urges attention for those interested in the grander arcs, especially in the early hours, but playing baseball for two hours is a perfectly understandable way to spend a session. Even pool and poker invoke that ‘just one more game!’ feel. While the game is deep in available mechanics, the freedom can be more perceived than realised due to this being a smaller title than the mainline series. Progression can be on rails, but there are enough detours along the way to extend playtime with a glut of rewards.
Pirate Yakuza respects your time. Honolulu is a large area, but the player is given multiple means of traversal and fast-travel to quickly access the opposite end of the map. Moving through the sea is the same, and most fights end quickly (which is not the case with the turn-based titles). While fetch quests are part of the Yakuza fabric, the fun and inventive methods used ensure that the wackiness never really departs. Even taking photos of landmarks or collecting fortune slips around the city was absorbing thanks to the dialogue and interesting NPCs that pop up in a sweat. Noah and Majima bounce off each other very well, such as Noah’s jest at the pirate captain for being tricked by a researcher claiming to have found technology to talk to animals. This will be no surprise for veterans of the series – the character banter is a staple – but the weirdness is pushed to 100 here. Just when the narrative settles and being a Pirate Yakuza makes sense in Hawaii, a completely random mechanic, character or situation will arise to add more levels to the peculiar. It all just works and achieves its purpose: a fun time that puts a smile on the face.
With so many serious, lengthy games crammed into the first half of 2025, Pirate Yakuza is the ideal title to let one’s imagination run free and embark on an island-hopping adventure featuring a protagonist deserving of the spotlight. After a 2-3 hour tutorial, the game opens up when Majima has his sea legs and starts to hornswaggle every son of a biscuit eater that gets in his way (pirate slang is a hell of a time). The game does not reach the heights of Infinite Wealth in terms of storytelling, length or series importance – that’s not its purpose. Instead, a plank to the next mainline title is set on solid foundations that will take the player between 20 and 30 hours to complete. The diverse mini-games, larger-than-life characters and delightful surprises are all there for veterans and newcomers alike. And by the end, the emotion still shines through on credits as we sail into the sunset wondering what RGG could possibly create next to one-up this wild ride.
Highs
- Wide range of activities on land and sea
- Deep customisation
- Great length without bloat
- Soundtrack!
Lows
- Freedom is more perception than reality
- Bouncing straight off Infinite Wealth may feel repetitive
