Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii Review – One Piece meets GTA

Better than Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag, with the style of the Yakuza series and the charm of One Piece.

The Yakuza series, known as Like a Dragon in Japan, has been punching, kicking, and karaoke-singing its way into gaming history since 2005. Often lazily compared to Grand Theft Auto, this franchise stands apart with its theatrical storytelling, bone-crunching combat, and an outrageous smorgasbord of side activities that can turn even the most serious crime drama into a delightful fever dream.

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Over the years, it has taken players from the gritty backstreets of Kamurocho to the vibrant streets of Yokohama, evolving into a genre-defying juggernaut. But now, Like a Dragon is setting sail for uncharted waters—quite literally. Released earlier this month, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii swaps neon-lit alleys for golden beaches, gang wars for naval battles, and yakuza suits for pirate coats, delivering one of the most delightfully unhinged adventures in the series’ history.

When Sega first teased Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, I wasn’t sure whether to laugh, cry, or check the calendar to make sure it wasn’t April 1st. Was this an elaborate joke? A wacky DLC tacked onto the last Like a Dragon game? No—this is a fully-fledged, full-throttle, full-craziness game, packed with an epically wild story, unforgettable characters, and deeply immersive, dangerously addictive gameplay.

A Story That’s as Wild as the High Seas

The game centers on none other than Goro Majima, the one-eyed man and fan-favorite of the Yakuza series. He wakes up marooned on a sandy shore with no memory of how he got there—classic Majima luck. Rescued by a plucky young local named Noah Rich, he soon learns that he’s far from Kamurocho. Welcome to Hawaii, where the waves crash as hard as the brawls, and a new kind of underworld rules the islands.

The two set off on a grand adventure across diverse locales: the lively cityscape of Honolulu, the shadowy pirate haven of Madlantis, and the sacred, mysterious Nele Island, home to the enigmatic Palekana religious group. Each place is teeming with life, from bustling street markets to sketchy back-alley dealings, making exploration just as thrilling as the main storyline.

A Gameplay Loop So Addictive, You’ll Forget to Eat

If you’ve played a Yakuza game before, the opening hours of Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii feel comfortingly familiar. Brawls in the streets, absurdly dramatic cutscenes, and plenty of side distractions. But then—oh boy—things open up. Majima isn’t just punching punks in alleys anymore; he’s captaining his own ship, the Goromaru, engaging in exhilarating naval battles, and hunting for lost treasure across the Pacific.

The combat system blends traditional Yakuza street fighting with swashbuckling swordplay and pistol duels. Majima has two main fighting styles: the classic breakneck-speed “Mad Dog” and the new “Sea Dog” style, which lets him dual-wield cutlasses and unleash devastating pirate-style attacks.

And then there’s the ship combat. Imagine if Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag and Mario Kart had a chaotic, drunken love child—that’s what it feels like. It’s not as overly technical as Black Flag but puts Ubisoft’s Skull and Bones to shame with its perfect mix of arcade fun and strategic depth. Your ship is fully customizable, from its cannons to its color scheme. Love cute anime girls? Slap some anime girl sails on it. Want an all-cat crew? You can probably do that too.

A World Stuffed with Side Activities and Mini-Games

Of course, it wouldn’t be a Like a Dragon game without an overwhelming buffet of things to do. You can belt out karaoke in Honolulu, play blackjack, darts, or a dozen variations of pool. Need extra cash? Deliver food for a side hustle or take on bounty-hunting missions. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can embark on treasure-hunting expeditions to uncharted islands, which essentially means brawling through waves of enemies before unlocking a chest containing a unique treasure. These valuables get recorded in the Treasury of Treasures, a codex catag all your plundered loot. Some treasures even grant special buffs, like rings that enhance your swordsmanship or necklaces that improve your luck in gambling.

Recruiting crew is equally chaotic and charming. While some rough-and-tumble pirates will if you best them in a brawl, others have more… unique requirements. There’s an emo K-pop star who won’t until you’ve collected enough music CDs, a five-star chef who demands you eat at his restaurant enough times, and even an underwear model who challenges you to a high-stakes game of darts. One of the most heartwarming recruits? A young girl who dreams of a pirate’s life, but she’ll only if your ship is pristine and highly rated because, hey, safety first.

A Symphony of Swords and Sea Shanties

From its roaring battles to its quietest moments, Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is an audio-visual treat. The soundtrack is a bold and swashbuckling masterpiece, seamlessly blending the series’ signature jazz-funk sound with high-seas adventure melodies. And the sing-along before the title screen? Pure magic—better than anything Disney has put out in years. Voice acting is, as always, stellar, bringing each character to life with the perfect balance of sincerity and absurdity. The sound design pulls you into the world, from the rhythmic creaking of your ship’s deck to the bustling ambiance of Honolulu’s markets.

Graphically, the game doesn’t push any boundaries, but what it lacks in next-gen realism, it makes up for in rich detail and expressive character animations. The textures are crisp, the lighting is warm, and the vibrant environments feel alive.

Final Verdict: A Swashbuckling Sensation

So, does Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii live up to its wild premise?

Absolutely. It’s a brilliantly bonkers fusion of high-seas adventure and classic Like a Dragon storytelling. The combat is sharp, the activities are endless, and the world begs to be explored. Whether you’re gambling in Little Japan, hunting treasure on the high seas, or obliterating enemy ships in gladiator-style naval battles, the game never runs out of ways to surprise and delight.

With its bold new setting, ridiculously fun mechanics, and unforgettable cast, this game proves that the Like a Dragon series can thrive anywhere—even in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. It’s a game that doesn’t just let you live out your pirate fantasies—it lets you do it Yakuza style.