A pirate's life for me, and a pirate's life for Goro Majima, the eye-patch-wearing anti-hero of the Yakuza series. He's the star of the newly announced Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza In Hawaii, a game I can only applaud for the brazen frankness of its title. Whatever Sega was smoking when it confirmed Metaphor: ReFantazio, they weren't smoking when it confirmed this. They were definitely smoking Somethingbut. Here's the trailer.
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Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii begins with Goro washed up on a strange island, looking a lot like Link from Link's Awakening, except Goro has a full back tattoo, stylish leather pants, and a little tiger wearing a neckerchief. [SCENE MISSING] Now Goro wears a triangular hat and commands a galleon. Madlantis is mentioned. [SCENE MISSING] Now there are ninjas in bulletproof vests and Goro throwing his machetes like boomerangs.
I guess this still takes place in the present day? The fight looks real time. What matters most is that Goro is having so much fun, God bless him.
The Steam page helps clear the fog a bit. Look, there's a whole sailing element! “Assemble a unique crew as you upgrade your ship as you explore the high seas, and forge your legend through enemy cannon fire, unlikely friendships, and vast riches earned along the way,” the blurb explains. Expect real-time cannon battles, boarding action, and hidden treasure islands.
As for combat, there are at least two fighting style options. “Use your speed, agility, and skill to deliver precise but powerful blows that stun your enemies into submission with the 'Mad Dog' style,” the blurb continues. “Or make your enemies walk the plank with the 'Sea Dog' style, which requires you to two-hand short swords and use trick pirate tools to kick some serious loot.” Three pirate slang words in one sentence isn't bad. But I can do better: sink me, this is a s**thole-worthy catch, or my name isn't Davey Jones's Locker.
Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza In Hawaii is out February 28, 2025. I think I liked Goro better when he was an incredibly suave nightclub manager, but I welcome this new nautical phase of his career. If you’re new to the expansive LAD series, you might want to check out Ed Thorn’s write-up on playing them in the correct order.