Yakuza Adventure "Like a Dragon: Pirate" Vastly Expanded

Prepare for a swashbuckling adventure unlike any other! The upcoming Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii promises a significantly larger and more ambitious experience than its predecessor, Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name. Discover the details revealed at RGG SUMMIT 2024.

Majima's Hawaiian Hijinks Set Sail in 2025

A Pirate's Life for Majima: Scale and Scope Soar in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii

The Yakuza/Like a Dragon series is charting a course for uncharted waters with Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. RGG Studio President Masayoshi Yokoyama announced at RGG SUMMIT 2024 that the game's world and story will be a substantial 1.3 to 1.5 times larger than Like a Dragon Gaiden.

For players who found The Man Who Erased His Name relatively concise, Pirate Yakuza aims to redefine expectations. This isn't a simple expansion; it's a completely different scale of adventure.

"We don't even know the exact area of the city itself," Yokoyama revealed in a Famitsu interview (machine translation). "Of course, there's Honolulu City, seen in Infinite Wealth, and various stages like Madlantis, making it far larger than Like a Dragon Gaiden."

The game's content is equally expansive. Expect the series' signature brawling combat, alongside a plethora of quirky side activities and minigames. Yokoyama hinted at a shift in the "Gaiden" concept, stating that the idea of it being a mere spin-off or side story is "gradually disappearing." This suggests a full-fledged experience comparable to mainline entries.

Set in and around the Hawaiian islands, the game promises a significant departure from previous titles. The charismatic Goro Majima, once again voiced by Hidenari Ugaki, takes center stage in this unique seafaring adventure. The narrative begins with Majima washed ashore, inexplicably becoming a pirate. The specifics remain shrouded in mystery, even Ugaki, while excited, remains tight-lipped:

"The game's information is finally out, but many elements and details remain untold," Ugaki commented. "I tend to be talkative, but I've been instructed not to reveal anything, leaving me somewhat unsatisfied."

Adding to the intrigue, voice actor First Summer Uika (Noah Ritchie) teased a live-action scene featuring Ryuji Akiyama (Masaru Fujita). Akiyama himself offered a cryptic hint: "There was an interesting recording scene; when I used the restroom, there was an aquarium with a clownfish...and many beautiful women...It's not a dating show, but that scene created an exciting, almost popular feeling."

These "beautiful women" may refer to the "Minato Ward girls," who will appear in both live-action and CG form. The studio held auditions for these roles earlier this year, with Ryosuke Horii noting the applicants' enthusiasm and love for the series.

For more on the auditions, see our related article!