Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii – A Swashbuckling Adventure with Majima

A game centered around Majima rampaging through the seas of Hawaii as a wild pirate sounds like a dream come true for fans of the Like A Dragon series. But does Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii live up to expectations, or is this adventure better left at the bottom of the ocean?

Story & Setting

The game kicks off with Goro Majima waking up on a deserted beach, dazed, confused, and with a mouthful of sand. To make matters worse, he has no memory of how he got there. However, after a brief scuffle with some unlucky pirates, it becomes clear that his fighting instincts and wild personality remain as sharp as ever.

Majima soon finds himself on Rich Island, where he meets:

  • Noah, a young boy who quickly befriends him.
  • Jason, Noah’s father, a tough islander with his own secrets.
  • Moana, Noah’s sister, who helps guide Majima along his journey.
  • And Goro, a tiny cat that, despite its size, is clearly a tiger—a perfect nod to the series’ trademark humor.

From there, Majima embarks on a high-seas adventure, battling pirate crews, hunting for treasure, and engaging in massive ship battles. Despite the pirate theme, the game retains everything fans love about the Like A Dragon franchise—from its wacky characters and action-packed gameplay to a vast amount of side activities.

Exploration & Activities

If you played Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth, then Hawaii will feel familiar. RGG Studio reuses many assets from its predecessor, but instead of feeling lazy, it’s a fresh new take on the location with plenty of new content to keep players engaged.

Some of the main activities include:
✅ Bounties – Take down powerful enemies in exchange for high rewards.
✅ Treasure Hunts – Scour Hawaii and surrounding islands for hidden treasures, but be prepared to fight for your loot.
✅ Crazy Eats – The popular delivery minigame returns!
✅ Classic Minigames – From Shogi to arcade cabinets (including Virtua Fighter 3), there’s plenty to keep you distracted.
✅ Sujimon Battles – Recruit Sujimon as your pirate crew, adding a fun twist to team-based combat.

No matter what you do, every activity helps strengthen both Majima and his crew, making it worth exploring everything the game has to offer.

Combat & Fighting Styles

Like previous Like A Dragon games, combat is fast, fluid, and deeply satisfying. In Pirate Yakuza, Majima can switch between two distinct fighting styles:

  • Mad Dog Style – The classic Majima experience, complete with lightning-fast strikes, brutal kicks, and his signature knife. His special ability allows him to summon clones of himself to help in battle.
  • Sea Dog Style – A brand-new pirate-themed combat mode where Majima wields dual swords and a grappling hook. The hook isn’t just for combat—it can also grab collectibles and even fish!

Switching between these styles adds a fun layer of strategy, allowing players to adapt to different enemies and situations seamlessly.

Naval Battles – A New Twist on Yakuza Combat

One of the most exciting additions in Pirate Yakuza is ship battles. These large-scale fights take place both on the open sea and in the colosseum, requiring players to outmaneuver and outgun enemy galleons.

  • Smaller ships can be disabled with cannons, machine guns, flamethrowers, or even lasers.
  • Larger ships must be boarded, leading to traditional Yakuza-style melee combat.
  • Crew members can be recruited and leveled up, adding a progression system to naval warfare.

The naval combat system is a refreshing departure from standard Yakuza brawls, bringing a new sense of scale and adventure to the game.

Game Length & Replayability

If you’re wondering how long it takes to complete the game, here’s a rough breakdown:

⏳ Main Story – Around 15-16 hours if you only focus on the narrative.
⏳ Full Completion – 30+ hours if you tackle all side quests, minigames, and upgrades.

For my playthrough, I finished the game in 28 hours, having:
✅ Unlocked all of Majima’s abilities
✅ Fully upgraded my ship
✅ Completed nearly all side quests

There are still a few extra challenges, but after defeating Amon, the hardest fights are usually behind you.

Final Verdict – Is Pirate Yakuza Worth Playing?

While Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii isn't as long as Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth, it never compromises on quality.

👍 What Works:
✔️ Majima as a pirate is pure gold – It’s a natural fit for his over-the-top personality.
✔️ Engaging combat – The two fighting styles offer variety, and ship battles add a fun new dynamic.
✔️ Tons of activities – From bounties and treasure hunting to minigames and Sujimon, there’s always something to do.
✔️ Signature Yakuza humor and charm – Wacky characters and hilarious side quests make the experience unforgettable.

👎 What Could Be Better:
❌ Not as lengthy as Infinite Wealth – While packed with content, some players might wish for a longer main story.
❌ Reused assets – Hawaii is well-designed, but veteran players will recognize a lot from Infinite Wealth.

Final Score: 8.5/10

Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is a wild, action-packed spin-off that delivers fun, chaos, and plenty of Majima madness. If you love Like A Dragon, this is a must-play.

Are you ready to set sail with Majima, or does this pirate adventure not grab your interest? Let me know in the comments below!