Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii Reviews
Like a Dragon Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii sees Goro Majima in a splendid role, with an incredible acting from his VA Hidenari Ugaki. While the story starts a bit late and the new cast is not so interesting, the game give us a funny experience, with some intriguing plot. The gameplay is so shaped and frenetic, an hybrid between the iconic brawler system and stylish action that looks so fine. All the elements related to the ship - Goromaru - done very well and the navigation is smooth. This is another goal for SEGA.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Whether you're interested in building your perfect pirate crew for hours on end, or just want to see the story through, there's a ton of things to do and with Majima around, it's a riot. It trades in some of its sentimentality for the bizarre and the brash, but finally having Majima playable again after so long feels like a breath of fresh sea air.
I really enjoyed Pirate Yakuza. I’m still fairly new to the franchise but playing this has actually made me want to go back and play the rest. I currently have a play time of over 55 hours and you know what? I’m not even finished! I still have so much to play, explore and enjoy. While I don’t get all the references to the previous games, I was still able to pick up a few. I think if you’re someone who’s been on the fence about starting the franchise, this is a perfect jumping in point if you don’t care about playing them in chronological order.
As a spin-off that leaves us wanting more for the next mainline entry, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii definitely checks a few boxes. Character development is once again stellar, with Majima deservedly being spotlighted, and the various nautical elements infused into combat, exploration, and the world help to breathe new life into Hawaii and its surroundings. Yet, there are still rough edges to this adventure, such is the pirate life, but the crests of the waves most certainly outshine the troughs.
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is the definition of a spinoff game, but it's also the gold standard for games like it. Majima's Hawaiian adventures are a little shallower than I wanted, but when compared to the likes of the last two mainline games, anything would seem shallow. But being a pirate captain for a "short" 40 hours in the Like a Dragon universe is a dream I never knew I had, and RGG Studio showed me why it was a worthy fantasy.
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii brings a lighthearted twist to the saga, favoring freedom and humor over deep storytelling, and thrives on agile combat and open exploration.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is everything I thought this game was going to be and I enjoyed the ride immensely. It’s possible purists may not like the tone of the game too much but as a fan I can always get behind Majima being the main protagonist. His attitude and antics from previous games suit the farfetched nature here and you don’t even need to have played any of the previous game to dive in and enjoy this title.
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii pushes the boundaries of the term "quirky", even for its own standards. It's just a shame it doesn't make better use of the entire pirate setting for an unforgettable sea experience.
Review in Unknown | Read full review
If you love Like a Dragon games and want a little more Majima in your life, this game is worth playing. If you're new to the series, it might not be the best entry point, but it's not the worst either. And if you've always wanted to watch Majima sing karaoke on a pirate ship while firing an RPG – this is the game for you.
Review in Unknown | Read full review
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is a fantastic spin-off that successfully blends the Yakuza series’ brawler roots with fresh pirate-themed mechanics. Majima’s larger-than-life personality carries the story, while naval combat, varied environments, and deep side content keep the experience engaging. The game isn’t fully open-world, and the occasional lip-syncing issues can take you out of the moment, but these are minor complaints in an otherwise stellar package.
Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza In Hawaii isn’t without its issues, especially with how it handles performance transitioning from a key battle back to the campaign, but it’s a B-level game that totally embraces that role with the love and care obviously put into it. The industry needs more B games, and I absolutely loved this one.
'Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii' doesn't go all the way with its nautical ambitions, but its infectious energy and oddball premise are big swings that I wish every big-budget game series would take with their spin-off titles.
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is an additional provocative and bold move from the series. Its purpose is to bring together the Yakuza and the pirates in a manner that is as farcically absurd as possible.
Proves that the Yakuza series can still surprise us. The combination of crazy action, an engaging story, diverse gameplay, and characters you can’t help but love makes this entry one of the franchise’s most unique experiences. Naval battles, an extensive customization system, stunning graphics, and flawless voice acting all come together to turn Majima’s adventure into an absolute riot—one of the most unforgettable journeys in the series. If you’re looking for a thrilling, hilarious experience free from sentimentality, this game is exactly what you’re waiting for.
Review in Persian | Read full review
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is a great game, if one that doesn’t live up to those that came before it. It’s the same as several of its predecessors in many ways and can be incredibly fun at times as a result, but it falls down on certain new or unique elements. If you enjoyed Yakuza: Like a Dragon and Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth for their gameplay or want to see what happens after the events of those stories, then you’ll likely enjoy this.
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is a bold, must-play experience for fans of the saga. The introduction of pirate mechanics adds freshness to the gameplay, while the compelling narrative and iconic characters ensure a memorable adventure. However, the PC version needs some fixes to address performance issues. Despite these flaws, the game offers hours of fun and once again confirms Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio's ability to innovate without betraying the roots of the series.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawai is, for me, what an alternative adventure in a major franchise should be like. As well as being linked to the franchise, you're plunged into the story without even questioning what exactly you're doing. The idea of using Goro Majima as the protagonist allows players to quickly become attached to him, but also to assume this zany side. Despite some repetition in terms of gameplay and activities, the title can satisfy old and new players alike. In fact, it's a good opus for those who've never played a Yakuza before. The shorter lifespan is also a good way of attracting another community. However, don't expect a game that reinvents the concept developed by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio!
Review in French | Read full review
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii adds to the series' legacy and claims its spot as one of the most entertaining wild fantasies, flaws included.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii doesn't take itself too seriously, the story is light-hearted and some of the characters you come across are ridiculous, but in a good way, you can also find moments throughout the game that can increase the bond between Majima and his crew. In the beginning the game can feel a little repetitive, but the world soon opens up when you get your ship, and with the introduction of subplots to complete, mini-games to play and treasure to find there is always something to do if you want to take a break from the main story.
If you liked the Yakuza series I think you will love Yakuza Like a Dragon: Pirate in Hawaii, especially if you liked the 'Like a Dragon' part with Ichiban and his gang. The atmosphere is very similar to these, contains seriousness but with a good dose of humor and lightness.
Review in French | Read full review