Summary
Sega and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio have announced thatLike a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaiiwill be launching a week earlier than expected: Jul 01, 2025.Pirate Yakuza in Hawaiiis a brand-new spin-off game in the long-runningLike a Dragonfranchise, being another project in the style ofLike a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name.Pirate Yakuza in Hawaiistars the fan-favorite Goro Majima as its protagonist, with the former yakuza having washed up on a beach with no memory of his previous life.
In true Majima fashion, the Mad Dog of Shimano becomes a pirate lord and recruits his own crew, as he finds himself in the middle of a pirate feud.Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii’s gameplaygoes back to the series' original arcade-action beat-em-up style, as opposed to the turn-based JRPG genre of the mainline titles starring Ichiban.Pirate Yakuza in Hawaiialso takes place six months after the recently releasedInfinite Wealth, as stated in its announcement trailer.Pirate Yakuza in Hawaiirecently got another trailer, which not only highlights the story and combat, but also reveals its new release date.
Following this trailer,Like a Dragonseries director, Masayoshi Yokoyama, commented onPirate Yakuza in Hawaii’s new release date. Yokoyama touched on some ofPirate Yakuza in Hawaii’s new combat mechanics, as well as how the release date has been moved up by a week to June 09, 2025. According to Yokoyama, this change was made mainly due to development of the game progressing much smoother than expected, but also because the developers want fans to play the game soon. Yokoyama also teases how players will be able to play “what comes after it” with peace of mind, implyingPirate Yakuza in Hawaiimight be connected to another game in the future.
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii’s Release Date
Originally,Pirate Yakuza in Hawaiiwas going to launch on July 17, 2025. Othergames set to release in Feburary 2025includeMonster Hunter Wilds, which is set to launch on thePirate Yakuza in Hawaii’s original release date. Some fans joked thatPirate Yakuza in Hawaiibeing moved up a week ahead of schedule was done so that gamers could play both games within the same timeframe, though Yokoyama didn’t comment on Capcom’s title in the video.
The naval combat trailer forPirate Yakuza in Hawaiibriefly touched upon some of the gameplay, such as ship building, and characters that will be appearing in the story. Some of the characters that Majima will encounter include a returning Taiga Saejima, Madlantis Leader Queen Michele, and the Pirate King Raymond Law,who is modeled after former WWE and AEW champion Samoa Joe.
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.
