"Like a Dragon: Yakuza Pirates in the Naval Battles of Hawaii Are Much More Than Just Mini-Games."

In recent years, interest in pirate-themed games has resurged, although the quality of these titles has varied significantly. In this context, Rare's Sea of Thieves stands out as the undisputed leader, offering an adventure-filled experience ripe with exploration. On the other hand, Ubisoft's Skull and Bones has been criticized for its repetitive design, resulting in a rather tedious experience. Amid this competition, the Like a Dragon series is presenting its new installment, Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. Unlike its predecessors, which focus on epic naval battles, this new title incorporates those confrontations as a complement to the gameplay of the Like a Dragon universe.

Recently, during a presentation event, there was an opportunity to play Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii for two hours. While much of the experience centers around the typical gameplay of the series, the naval battles were the most striking element. The movement and combat dynamics turned out to be more exciting than expected.

This spin-off, which derives from Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, focuses on Goro Majima, who embarks on an adventure as a pirate. In Madlantis, a place where corsairs of various origins gather, Majima can engage in coliseum-style naval battles. Majima's ship, named Goromaru, faced off against three other opponents. From the start, the ship was optimized, with various weapons and crew members available. Besides traditional cannons, it featured a rapid-fire machine gun, giving a sense of being in a space battle rather than a pirate game.

The naval combat system allows for ship customization by swapping out different heavy weapons. Initially, standard cannons and a flamethrower were selected, but later, the Super Shark Cannon was tried out, a device that fires freezing projectiles to immobilize enemy ships. This, along with a powerful laser cannon, gives the game a unique flair, setting it apart from more serious titles in the genre.

In these confrontations, evasion is crucial. The importance of dodging flamethrower attacks was quickly learned, as they could significantly damage the ship. When the Goromaru succumbs to fire, Majima must briefly leave the helm to extinguish the flames, leaving him vulnerable to enemy attacks.

Upon defeating an enemy ship, players can board it and engage in a deck battle, where Majima and his crew face off against rivals in a Like a Dragon-style fight. This mechanic reinforces the connection to the core gameplay of the series.

Players also have the option to recruit NPCs to join Majima's crew, bringing unique skills to naval battles. In the demo, various characters were unlocked, such as Natasha, a pirate with an intriguing past, whose inclusion enhances the use of smoke screens and the ship's recovery rate.

Traveling Naval Battles within the game world allow Majima and his team to explore islands such as Hawaii and Nele Island. During navigation, the group will encounter smaller ships that provide quick challenges. The navigation mechanics aboard the Goromaru add an extra allure to the game and promise players an immersive experience.

As the release of Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii approaches on February 21 for PC, PlayStation, and Xbox, anticipation grows as it feels increasingly likely that this game could offer a fun and unique pirate experience within the legacy of the series.