Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii Reviews
Check out Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii Review Scores from trusted Critics below. With 54 reviews on CriticDB, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii has a score of:
Developer Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio (RGG) have committed to a breakneck pace for its Like a Dragon series since it finally began to find its global audience and the results have been consistently impressive. Upon reveal, it seemed Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii might be a smaller sidequest taking place alongside the primary franchise. That is generally true (don’t expect any gigantic character or story revelations), but protagonist Goro Majima’s adventure is deeper and denser than I ex...
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Another great entry to Like a Dragon, just don’t rely on it for hard-hitting canon lore (just hard-hitting cannon balls)!
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Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. I had to start off this review by simply rewriting the game’s (absurd) title because… well, they ain’t lying. RGG Studio decided to make a freaking pirate game set in the Yakuza / Like a Dragon universe, with as much absurdity and self-awareness one could muster… and it works. It works so freaking well it’s downright remarkable. They didn’t simply jump the shark when making this Majima-led spinoff (or sequel? Who knows or cares), they jumped...
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Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii proves that Ryu Ga Gotoku can make an exciting and well-rounded game that doesn't need to be 100 hours long at the expense of reusing assets and locations again and again.
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Pirate Yakuza is never subtle, boring, or less than ostentatiously campy. Everyone should enjoy this perfect pirate adventure from a studio at the top of their game.
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And you will miss things. Even though RGG's games are set in easy-to-explore locations, there are always hidden gems that require a careful eye or second playthrough to unearth. That alone is what makes the Like a Dragon games a worthwhile franchise to lose yourself in. I will be hanging out in Hawaii and Madlantis for a long time, just having fun, which is exactly what Majima would want, especially considering the grim future awaiting his longtime friend, and the series' main protagonist, Ka...
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Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii might seems like an incredibly outlandish idea at first glance, but once you think about it for a minute, you realise just how easily it slots into the Yakuza/Like A Dragon universe. Sure, the series is a serious crime drama, but each game has wacky encounters and over the top characters. Goro Majima, our protagonist in Pirate Yakuza, is probably the most outlandish of the main cast of the franchise, to the point that sticking him on a pirate ship and making him a captain barely even raises an eyebrow.
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The Like a Dragon series has never been afraid to take chances, but with Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, RGG Studio might have delivered its most audacious experiment yet. Placing the chaotic fan-favorite Goro Majima in a tropical pirate setting sounds like the premise of fan fiction, yet somehow it works brilliantly. This review of Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii explores how this unexpected spin-off balances the franchise’s signature elements with fresh naval mechanics, examining what wor...
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Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is a bold departure for the series. While the 25+ hours I spent through the main story may not be the most gripping narrative the franchise has delivered, its strengths lie in the myriad side activities, memorable subplots, and the unique twist of assembling a diverse pirate crew which in the end helps elevate the overall experience beyond a somewhat lackluster main storyline. I fully believe that Ryu Ga Gotoku studios could have woven a more intricate tale if they didn't rely on a cliche amnesiac protagonist. In the end, Pirate Yakuza has...
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The Like a Dragon series (originally known as Yakuza in the West) is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. In that time they’ve had countless mainline games but also spin-offs that depict detective mysteries, Edo period samurai and a zombie apocalypse. There’s little the franchise has done at this point, short of going to space. So where’s there to go next in the latest venture A sea-faring jaunt that sees pirates and yakuza collide in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, of co...
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Right off the bat, Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii makes its premise as clear as the name of the game does. You’re Goro Majima, the Mad Dog of Shimano… but through the wonders of retrograde amnesia, he’s a fresh slate who’s ready to pivot to a more nautical adventure. After washing ashore from a shipwreck, our eyepatch-wearing amnesiac is rescued by a young boy named Noah and becomes embroiled in the island’s local pirate issues.
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We often see games too big, less often games too small – and many problems pirates it results from the fact that it is a shorter story in style Gaiden happening on a huge map of Infinite Wealth. Although I have to Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii a lot of reservations – short and full of cloves plot not giving the characters time to shine, poorly distributed side content, sometimes irritating clash design – is also good enough to balance all creaks.
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Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is an amusing, if underwhelming way to kill time before Yakuza 9, but considering the speed at which RGG is releasing new games in the series, you probably don't have to wait that long for the next traditional entry.
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Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is a solid spin-off, putting fan-favorite Goro Majima front and center with a suitably eccentric diversion into buccaneering piracy. The story doesn't pick up until an excellent final chapter, and it's disappointing that the narrative doesn't delve into Majima's complex personality, but this is still a thoroughly entertaining adventure on the high seas. It's quite unlike anything else in the long-running series, and even if it falters more often than usual, it's still essential for anyone who's previously called Kamurocho home.
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So, remember when I said I started Gaiden after finishing and instantly noticed how much better I liked it? It's not just the combat. I can reluctantly forgive no longer being able to gift a cabaret club hostess a cold teriyaki burger fished out of my back pocket, but even Gaiden's opening hours are so much more gripping than anything here. The villains are better, the combat feels weightier, it looks better. To top it off, it's cheaper. I don't regret spending time with Majima again but, 'free' NG+ or no, if I'd paid full price for this thing I'd...
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Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza is a love letter to Majima's loyal fanbase, who've been in awe of his character since his original appearances. RGG has done a marvelous job capturing the old-school Pirate era with naval combat that feels arcade-like and simplistic to have fun with and sea exploration to get lost in for a few hours. Despite some reused stuff from Infinite Wealth, there's enough unique nuance to be found here from its plethora of well-written substories and the Madlantis Pirate Coliseum. Although the main story falls victim to some pacing setbacks, Majima's incredibly charismatic character, along with...
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The concept of putting Goro Majima in a pirate adventure is pretty much everything I thought it would be. This is a silly game with an enjoyable gameplay loop and adventure. Riding on the seas, ripping through ships with cannons, and then battling their crews in massive all-out brawls was always a fun time. Even if the story and side missions on land sometimes kept me from sailing, there was generally always something cool to do between the main story and copious side activities. Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii won’t take up as much of your time as...
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“Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is fun bottle episode that's a bit too invested in its schtick.”
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A thoroughly enjoyable side game that looks to offer familiar Like a Dragon action with a swashbuckling twist, Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is a flamboyant distraction between mainline entries. The story doesn’t compare favourably to the mainline entries and the new island areas quickly become repetitive, but the novelty of Goro Majima at the helm of a pirate ship never quite wears off. Stay for its frenzied action and jolly pirate ship battles and you’ll have a good time.
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Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is one of the best Like a Dragon spin-offs to date, eagerly having us looking forward to Majima’s next adventure.
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The Mad Dog of Shimano is getting up there in age, but he’s still got a few new tricks up his snake-skin sleeves that Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is worth taking to the seven seas for.
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A semi-successful pirate take on the Like A Dragon formula, held back by its lack of focus, drawn out length, and surprisingly weak story.
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Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is totally bonkers in places, but don't let that put you off; there's a surprising amount of heart in its narrative, and the game effortlessly captures the thrill and spirit of adventure. With tons of content, rewarding and cinematic combat, and a memorable cast of characters, Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is nothing less than a triumphant spinoff.
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Like A Dragon has always been synonymous with mini-games, but especially for a spinoff, Pirate Yakuza has a truly staggering amount of side content. There are your classics, like darts, karaoke, and the batting cage (which gets a delightful piratey twist), but also more recent additions like Crazy Delivery and Dragon Kart. There are even a few new ones, like the underwater arcade shooter Ocean Hunter. (No Dondoko Island, though.) I was especially impressed by the inclusion of a fully functional Sega Master System, which you can purchase games for at various vendors throughout the world. (Editor's note: this is...
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Because of its size and range of missions from serious to stupid, Pirate Yakuzain Hawaii feels like a “Best of” album from past Like a Dragon games. Its odd marriage of pirates and yakuza works and gives you a game that doesn’t take itself too seriously but knows how to impress a crowd.
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Absolutely heaving with buried treasures and varied pleasures, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is a consistently captivating voyage that kept my timbers shivering whether on land or at sea.
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The return of beat 'em up combat and Goro Majima are great, while new ship combat refreshes a wealth of side content. Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii feels like RGG Studio's most worthwhile spinoff game to date – sun, surf, and treasure hunting takes the series to new places at the right time.
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Its story may not have as much of an impact as franchise fans are used to, but Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is still an entertaining pirate adventure. I would love to see Sega and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio explore the concept in a larger-scale game because Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii shows that there is a ton of potential for a Like a Dragon game that fully embraces the pirating life.
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Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is a fantastic entry in the series, and while it doesn't reach the heights of Infinite Wealth, it's still a joy to play. The story is filled with great moments and a cast of memorable characters, along with solid gameplay mechanics and a ton of activities to partake in. The progression systems were okay, with ship navigation and crew formation feeling a little underwhelming, but the choices you have and activities to do make up for it. For a spin-off entry in this franchise, RGG Studio succeeded in creating an engaging, gripping experience...
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Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is an extremely unexpected outing for the series, but the developers have largely stuck the landing, and delivered a fun pirate adventure that I am sure will remain a fan favourite for many years to come.
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Some of the textures and models can sometimes feel a bit rough around the edges, however. Frame rates can dip in particularly busy areas, such as during intense battles or when exploring crowded regions. These minor issues are essentially negligible and didn’t detract from my time with Pirate Yakuza. It’s a beautiful game that rewards players for taking the time to explore.
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Despite the story’s short length, there are plenty of side quests, customization options, and crew members to recruit and open seas to explore and discover treasure after you’ve rolled credits. Pirate Yakuza is an incredibly fun spinoff that should be checked out if you’re a fan of sea-faring adventures, strong combat mechanics, and an over-the-top story that is an absolute blast to play through.
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Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii may not be moving the series forward in much regard to its gameplay and story, but at the end of the day, it does what it sets out to do. It’s fun and provides fans with a wild, over-the-top adventure full of eccentric characters, absurd humor, and dramatic plot twists. If you wanted to spend more time in Hawaii after Infinite Wealth, Like a Dragon Yakuza in Hawaii has you covered, offering a unique spin on the Yakuza formula while keeping things as entertaining and chaotic as ever
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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.
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Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is an okay spin-off of the Yakuza series. The story is fine, but my biggest issue is that it doesn’t really feel inventive, which is usually what Yakuza and Like a Dragon games have in spades.
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A raucous, absurd spin-off that manages to still feel like a first-rate Yakuza game despite the leftfield setting and delightfully unhinged plot.
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The series has never shied away from being a bit wacky. It’s typically the side content that injects humor and weirdness into the experience rather than the core narratives. Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii however, prioritizes all that and amps it up to 11.
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Like a Dragon is a franchise that doesn't suffer from an identity crisis, it fully embraces and revels in it. Before reverting to its original name, it was known in the western world as Yakuza, which is the name many of its older fans still refer to out of habit. Beginning as a beat 'em up in modern day Japan, it has done the opposite of Final Fantasy by going from action to turn based in Yakuza: Like a Dragon and traveled back in time to the Edo period in Like a Dragon: Ishin! Despite some of these drastic changes...
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Taking lessons learned from previous games, trimming out anything less effective, and scoring home runs with its fresh additions, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is the new gold standard for the series and an absolute treat for RPG and action game fans.
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If there’s one thing series veterans of the Like a Dragon and Yakuza series have been begging for, it’s more Majima. This Chaotic Good ex-Tojo Lieutenant has been constantly at Kiryu’s heels and only really got his time in the limelight as the deuteragonist in Yakuza 0 and one of the four playable heroes in Yakuza: Dead Souls. For more than twenty years, the Mad Dog of Shimano has yet to take center stage in his own game and all of that is about to change in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii.
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With an engaging story, endless minigames, always-entertaining characters, and a great blend of series mechanics old and new, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is an excellent entry into the franchise. Now we just need a patch for that lighting issue…
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Goro Majima's swashbuckling adventure is a ton of fun to play with some of the series' most thrilling beat 'em up combat and compelling side distractions, despite its messy main narrative.
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What if Like and Dragon and One Piece had a baby? Well you'd get Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, and what a bouncing baby she is! While the game sets sail for the high seas, it retreads some familiar ground that may or may not disappoint. What matters is the following question: would Monkey D. Luffy and Majima be best friends? I think so!
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Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza In Hawaii is a great addition to this legendary franchise, that looks to set itself apart in some meaningful ways. That said, the game does get held back by some issues that have plagued the franchise for years. Thankfully, these issues don’t stop this pirate-themed adventure from being a boatload of fun.
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Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii delivers a great pirate adventure for the series, with the spotlight once again shining on Goro Majima.
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Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii brings Goro Majima's unique brand of loony brutality to a treasure-hunting adventure. The levity of the overall adventure makes it easy to sink into this game, and despite repetitive ship combat, the hand-to-hand action makes it a blast to play. And with a conclusion worth seeing, the overall narrative makes this another success in Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio's repertoire.
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RGG Studio’s latest spin-off somehow pulls off being both a great pirate game and a pretty damn good Yakuza game.
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Flawed and overfamiliar, but still as joyously OTT and hilarious as ever.
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Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza is a wonderful new addition to the series, offering a huge game with plenty to do, all while allowing players to dive into the mind of the anti-hero and Mad Dog himself, Goro Majima.
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It's Goro Majima's time to shine, and shine he does in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. This ridiculous adventure has the typical Like a Dragon gameplay you've come to expect, as well as fast-paced real-time combat that's more electrifying than ever. Add in being able to sail across numerous maps, engaging in naval battles and disembarking to plunder legendary treasures, and you have the most varied entry in the series yet.
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Don’t be put off by its absurd name or ridiculous premise; Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii provides a sincere and heartfelt adventure that successfully marries the series’ penchant for engaging power struggles with high-octane swashbuckling action. For existing fans, it’s a superb follow-up to Infinite Wealth. And for newcomers, it’s an excellent onboarding experience thanks to its myriad of fun and accessible gameplay systems.
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Like a Dragon Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is an excellent addition to the Yakuza franchise and has enough content and polish to qualify as one of the best Yakuza games. Pirating on the high seas has never been this fun before.
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Like a Dragon Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is one of the best Like a Dragon/Yakuza spin-offs, joining the likes of Judgment and Like A Dragon: Ishin. It’s a fast and frenetic pirate adventure that constantly calls the player back to its high seas, and it’s an adventure you won’t want to miss.
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We see Majima at his lowest, but then get to witness him rise to his finest.
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