Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza Review – Majima’s Chaos Unleashed on the High Seas

(image credit: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio)

A New Setting and Storyline

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii storms onto the scene as Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio’s boldest reinvention yet, fusing high-octane brawls, grand seafaring escapades, and the series' signature offbeat humor. This time, the spotlight falls on the ever-chaotic Goro Majima, marooned on an untamed Hawaiian isle after the dust of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth settles. With no past to anchor him, Majima seizes the moment, fashioning himself into a swashbuckling captain. He rallies a ragtag crew of misfits, commandeers a ship built for trouble, and sets sail through sun-drenched waters, hunting for buried fortunes—and the missing pieces of his own identity.

Shedding the neon glow of Kamurocho and Yokohama, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii casts players into the sun-drenched expanse of the Pacific, where danger and discovery churn beneath sapphire waves. The journey unfolds across a vivid archipelago, each island brimming with its own mysteries, conflicts, and hidden fortunes.

• Rich Island—A forgotten patch of paradise where Majima washes ashore, battered and unmoored, setting the stage for his rise as a pirate king.

• Madlantis—A pirate’s paradise where outlaws carve their own fate. Blades flash, deals change like the tides, and only the cunning survive.

• Nele Island—A sanctuary cast in secrecy with Palekana devotees guarding ancient traditions and secrets.

• Honolulu—A sprawling port city pulsing with life and filled with traders, crooks, and legends.

Every island tells its own story, dragging players into a world of danger, fortune, and the kind of madness Majima was born to rule.

(image credit: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio)

Dynamic Combat and Gameplay

Majima fights like a man with nothing to lose, and Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii lets you unleash that chaos with a brutal, up-close beat ‘em up system. Every punch, kick, and slash feels raw and unpredictable, as Majima shifts between two distinct battle styles:

• Mad Dog—His signature feral style of unpredictable footwork, lightning quick strikes, and relentless aggression.

• Sea Dog—A pirate’s playground, where Majima swings twin cutlasses, fires off pistols mid-combo, and slices through enemies.

For the first time, Majima can take his fights into the air, chaining mid-air combos and juggling enemies. But, the action doesn’t stop on land. Out at sea, Majima commands the Goromaru, a pirate ship built for war. Naval battles turn the ocean into a battleground as you steer through cannon fire, ram enemy vessels, and board them for a good old-fashioned deck-clearing brawl. The stronger your crew, the deadlier your ship—recruiting the right fighters, upgrading the Goromaru’s firepower, and mastering sea combat will make the difference between ruling the waves or sinking to the bottom.

(image credit: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio)

Engaging Side Activities

What’s a Like a Dragon game without distractions? Between treasure hunts and deck-clearing brawls, Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii throws in a wild mix of side activities that let Majima cut loose in ways only he can.

• Karaoke—Majima grabs the mic yet again, belting out new tunes with theatrical flair. Expect wild dance moves, intense ballads, and maybe even a pirate shanty, or two.

• Dragon Kart—Majima tears through wild tracks in souped-up karts armed to the teeth. Rockets fly, rivals crash, and the finish line means nothing if you don’t make it in one piece.

• Masaru’s Love Journey—Majima takes on the role of an unhinged wingman, steering Masaru Fujita through the messy waters of romance. Whether offering brutal honesty or wildly questionable advice, Majima turns every date into an unpredictable adventure.

Even a pirate needs to unwind, and Majima does it the only way he knows how—by diving into classic Sega arcade hits like Poseidon Wars 3D, Space Harrier 3D, and Star Jacker. Sometimes, even chaos takes a backseat to high scores.

A Cast of Intriguing Characters

Majima’s adventure wouldn’t be complete without a cast of misfits, mentors, and menaces shaping his journey. Some lend a hand, others sharpen their blades, and a few keep their true motives buried beneath layers of charm and deception.

• Noah Rich—A sharp-witted kid with a knack for survival, Noah drags Majima from the wreckage and sticks by his side, proving that even a Mad Dog needs a loyal first mate.

• Jason Rich—Once a legendary treasure hunter, now a man weighed down by past failures. He steers Majima toward hidden riches and hard truths, but his own story holds secrets worth digging up.

• Masaru Fujita—A chef with dreams bigger than the sea, Masaru wields knives just as well in kitchens as he does in fights. His journey is about perfecting recipes and finding his own place in the world.

• Queen Michele—The elusive ruler of Madlantis who commands fear and respect. Whether she’s a friend or a storm waiting to strike depends entirely on Majima’s choices.

And, of course, Majima’s past refuses to stay buried. Taiga Saejima, his sworn brother, steps back into the fray, along with other familiar yakuza faces, ensuring that no matter how far Majima sails, old ties still pull strong.

(image credit: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio)

Final Verdict

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii storms onto the scene with a reckless grin and a cutlass in hand, sending Goro Majima into uncharted waters. Trading neon backstreets for sapphire seas, this high energy reinvention throws players into a chaotic odyssey of ship stealing, blade dancing, and treasure hunting mayhem. Majima thrives in the lawless expanse, carving his legend across an archipelago filled with secrets, rival rogues, and fortunes waiting to be seized.

Fists fly and steel shines as Majima tears through street brawls and cutlass duels, while naval battles turn the ocean into a warzone of cannon fire and boarded decks. The islands overflow with chaos as pirate karaoke, high speed Dragon Kart mayhem, and wild encounters break out at every turn. With a crew as unpredictable as the tides, Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii cements Majima as the only captain bold enough to tame this madness.

Don’t miss your shot at pirate glory—be among the first to dive into Majima’s wildest adventure yet! Pre-order through my Amazon affiliate link and claim your spot aboard the Goromaru!