Info about Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii:

Official game description:
Digital Deluxe Edition
======================
Get all the booty when you upgrade to the Digital Deluxe Edition that unlocks legendary crewmates, additional ship customization parts, iconic costumes, an extra karaoke song, more music to add to your in-game playlist, and more!
\[DELUXE EDITION CONTENT\]
■ LIKE A DRAGON: PIRATE YAKUZA IN HAWAII base game
■ LEGENDARY PIRATE CREW PACK
\- Strongest Pirate Crew Set
\- Enthusiastic Supporters Set
■ LEGENDARY OUTFIT PACK
\- Legendary Character Special Outfit Set
\- Special T-Shirt Set
■ SHIP CUSTOMIZATION PACK
\- Kazuma Kiryu Special Ship Customization Set
\- Ichiban Kasuga Special Ship Customization Set
\- Daigo Dojima Special Ship Customization Set
\- RGG Studio Special Ship Customization Set
■ EXTRA KARAOKE & CD PACK
\- Extra Karaoke Song
\- CD Collection Set
_\*This product contains the base game and add-on content. Please be aware that the additional content is also sold separately._
About the Game
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A new legend begins as you step into the steel toe boots of Goro Majima, a man who has lost his memory and reinvents himself as a pirate on the open sea.
Embark on an over-the-top, modern-day pirate adventure with an ex-yakuza, now pirate captain and his crew as they engage in exhilarating combat on land and sea in the hunt for lost memories and a legendary treasure.
■ PIRATE YAKUZA ADVENTURE AHOY!
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Goro Majima, a notorious ex-yakuza suddenly finds himself shipwrecked on a remote island in the Pacific. Unable to remember even his own name, he sets sail in search of clues to his lost memories, accompanied by a boy named Noah who saved his life. Before long, they’re caught up in a conflict between cutthroat criminals, modern-day pirates, and other scoundrels over a legendary treasure.
■ GET YOUR SHIP TOGETHER
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Assemble a one-of-a-kind crew while upgrading your ship as you explore the open sea and forge your legend in the cannon fire of foes, unexpected friendships, and immense riches made along the way.
When an enemy pirate ship catches you in their sights, an exhilarating real-time cannon battle breaks out. Quickly maneuver into position while avoiding fire, then deliver devastating damage to board the enemy ship and take down the captain in all-out crew vs. crew brawls. Conquer the seas, discover hidden islands and acquire loads of loot like a true yakuza pirate!
■ KICK ARRRSS WITH CREATIVE COMBAT
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Dynamically switch between the “Mad Dog” and “Sea Dog” fighting styles to mix-up attacks and deliver explosive combos, juggles, and aerial takedowns that reward your creativity with over-the-top action.
With “Mad Dog” style, utilize speed, agility, and flair to deliver precise yet powerful blows that stun your enemies into submission.
Or make enemies walk the plank with the “Sea Dog” style that has you dual-wielding short swords and deploying tricky pirate tools to kick some serious booty.

Release date: 20 Feb, 2025

Categories: Single-player Story, Real-time Combat, Ship Combat, Exploration, Treasure Hunting, Character Progression, Mini-game Collection, Ship Customization


- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price: No data
- Playtime Metrics: No data
- Time-to-fun: No data
- Player Archetypes: No data


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Majima is a major highlight (weight 0.98): The game heavily features Majima Goro, a popular character known for his charismatic personality and unique fighting style. Players appreciate the opportunity to play as him, especially those who have enjoyed his character since Yakuza 0. Many consider this a major selling point and a highlight of the game.
- Overall fun and engaging gameplay (weight 0.84): The game is consistently described as fun and enjoyable, with engaging gameplay and a lot of content to explore. Players appreciate the variety of activities and the overall quality of the experience. The game is well-optimized and runs smoothly, further enhancing the fun factor.
- Excellent and enhanced combat styles (weight 0.78): Majima's combat style is a significant draw, with the 'Mad Dog' style being particularly praised for its speed, fluidity, and effectiveness in one-on-one encounters. The game enhances this style with new moves and abilities, making it the best version yet. The Pirate style is also appreciated for its unique moveset.
- Fast-paced, dynamic action combat (weight 0.64): The game features a return to real-time action combat, which is fast-paced, dynamic, and visually impressive. The combat system is considered one of the best in the series, with fluid movements, responsive controls, and satisfying impact. The new fighting styles and mechanics add depth and variety to the combat experience.
- Fun pirate ship combat/exploration (weight 0.57): The game introduces ship combat and pirate elements, drawing comparisons to Assassin's Creed: Black Flag. Players enjoy the ship battles, treasure hunting, and customization options. The pirate theme is well-integrated and adds a unique twist to the Yakuza formula.
- Lighthearted, humorous, and wacky (weight 0.43): The game embraces a lighthearted and humorous tone, with a ridiculous premise and self-deprecating humor. Players appreciate the game's wackiness and the developers' creativity in making the game. The game doesn't take itself too seriously, prioritizing pure fun over strict adherence to canon or genre conventions.
- Solid gameplay and improvements (weight 0.21): The game is a pleasant surprise and a return to form for the franchise, with tight gameplay and clear improvements. The reviewer finds the game enjoyable despite any issues and is enjoying the game more than expected. The game is fundamentally sound and lives up to the expectations set by the demo.
- Fun and engaging mini-games (weight 0.15): The game features a variety of well-designed and engaging mini-games, such as karaoke and cooking. These mini-games add to the game's fun and provide additional content for players to enjoy. The high level of detail and effort put into these mini-games is appreciated.
- High-quality voice acting (multiple languages) (weight 0.13): The game features great voice acting in multiple languages, including English, Japanese, and Chinese. The Chinese dubbing is particularly praised for its natural and fluent translation, with even the karaoke songs featuring Chinese lyrics. The high-quality voice acting adds to the game's immersive experience.
- Best pirate game ever (weight 0.12): The reviewer expresses strong positive sentiment towards the game, considering it the best pirate game available and better than Black Flag and Skull & Bones. The reviewer enjoyed living out swashbuckling dreams and sinking ships with laser cannons and treasure hunting. This point shows signs of review bombing due to hyperbolic claims without evidence.
- Combat is the best ever (weight 0.06): The reviewer expresses strong positive sentiment towards the game's combat, considering it the best in the series and super fun. The reviewer enjoyed the boss fights and the ability to summon a "Sharknado" to fight enemies. This point shows signs of review bombing due to hyperbolic claims without evidence.

Common complaints:
- Frequent, disruptive game crashes (weight 0.77): The game suffers from frequent and unpredictable crashes, often during cutscenes, combat, or even while idle. These crashes lead to lost progress due to infrequent autosaves and can corrupt save files. Some players report that enabling DLSS exacerbates the crashing issue, while others experience crashes regardless of DLSS settings.
- Weak, unfocused story (weight 0.3): Several reviewers found the story to be weaker and less focused compared to other entries in the series. The plot is described as dull, stretched, and reliant on convenient or far-fetched plot points. Some reviewers felt the story was unnecessary or poorly written, with underdeveloped characters and illogical motivations.
- Clunky, shallow combat system (weight 0.27): The combat system is criticized for lacking depth and polish, especially in large-scale battles. Some reviewers find the controls clunky, with shared button mappings leading to unintended actions. The combat is also considered too easy, even on higher difficulty settings, while others find it frustrating due to combo execution issues and enemy design.
- Outdated, unappealing graphics (weight 0.25): Several reviewers have commented on the game's outdated or unappealing graphics. Some describe the visuals as resembling a PS3 or PS4 game, with poor environmental textures and lighting. The overall visual quality is considered unacceptable for a game released in 2025.
- Problematic brightness, contrast, lighting (weight 0.24): Many reviewers have noted issues with the game's lighting, brightness, contrast, and color saturation. Some areas are excessively bright, causing eye strain, while others are too dark and blurry. The HDR implementation is also problematic, leading to crushed blacks, blinding whites, and distorted colors.
- Majima portrayal disappointing (weight 0.15): Some reviewers expressed disappointment with the portrayal of Majima as the protagonist, citing issues with the English voice acting and a lack of depth compared to Kiryu. There are also reports of glitches related to Majima's character, such as being spawned inside the stairs of his ship.
- Slow early pacing, short length (weight 0.1): The game suffers from slow pacing, particularly in the early chapters, which feel like extended tutorials. Some reviewers found the initial hours boring and tedious, with the first chapter failing to capture the series' signature narrative rhythm. The game's short length is also a concern for some.
- Too easy, infrequent autosaves (weight 0.09): The game is considered too easy, even on the hardest difficulty settings. Additionally, autosaves are infrequent, leading to lost progress when the game crashes.
- Overpriced, uninspired fanservice (weight 0.07): Some reviewers feel the game relies too heavily on fanservice and lacks innovation. The game is also criticized for being overpriced and not worth the full price tag.
- Awkward keyboard/mouse controls (weight 0.03): The game's controls, particularly on keyboard and mouse, are described as awkward. The shared button mapping for jump and dodge is a common complaint, leading to unintended actions.

Gameplay feedback:
- Yakuza combat meets pirates (weight 0.36): The game blends Yakuza-style beat 'em up combat with a pirate theme, featuring real-time combat and familiar mechanics. It retains elements from previous Yakuza titles while introducing new features like naval combat. This combination offers a fresh experience while staying true to the series' roots.
- Abundance of mini-games/side-quests (weight 0.15): The game is packed with mini-games and side quests, including returning favorites like karaoke, arcade games, and cooking. These activities provide a break from the main story and add to the overall gameplay experience.
- Jump mechanic is awkward (weight 0.06): The game introduces a jump mechanic and air combos, but some players find them awkward to execute due to enemy quantity and camera issues. An assist mode with one-button combos is available for less experienced players.
- Treasure hunts unlock skills (weight 0.06): The game features treasure hunts and collectible island treasures that unlock skills and enhance player stats. This encourages exploration and provides rewards for collecting items.
- Skill tree improves combat (weight 0.05): The game features a skill point system for upgrading moves and stats, which significantly improves the combat experience. The combat leans towards a Dynasty Warriors-style experience.
- Set in Hawaii, pirate adventures (weight 0.04): The game is set in Hawaii and features pirate adventures. The game features a pirate character who suffers amnesia after an accident.
- Extensive ship customization options (weight 0.03): The game offers extensive customization options for the ship, allowing players to personalize its appearance. However, some customization options may not be very noticeable unless players have a specific look in mind.
- Combat is beginner-friendly (weight 0.02): The combat system is well-designed for new players.
- Limited Goro customization options (weight 0.02): The feline companion, Goro, has very limited hat customization options, with only 4 hats available and only one being particularly appealing.
- Cultivating potatoes is core gameplay (weight 0.02): The core gameplay involves cultivating potatoes and establishing a potato-based republic.

Performance notes:
- Generally good performance and optimization (weight 0.37): Many players report smooth performance, high framerates, and good optimization across various PC configurations and on Steam Deck. Some even noted the game runs well on older hardware. Some reviewers specifically stated they encountered no crashes or bugs during their playthroughs.
- Inaccurate system requirements (weight 0.26): Some players have reported that the game's system requirements do not accurately reflect the hardware needed for high settings, and that they experienced frame rate drops even on systems exceeding the listed requirements.
- Frequent crashing issues reported (weight 0.19): A significant number of players have reported experiencing crashes, sometimes frequently. Some crashes appear to be related to DLSS or frame generation, while others occur during cutscenes. Some users have found temporary solutions like disabling DLSS or limiting framerates.
- Long loading times, especially on HDD (weight 0.03): Several reviewers mentioned long loading times, even when the game is installed on an SSD. The loading times are significantly worse on an HDD.
- Audio language bug in cutscenes (weight 0.02): Some players have encountered a bug where characters speak Japanese during cutscenes but English during dialogue boxes and combat when the Japanese dub is selected. This issue can be resolved by changing the language to English and back to Japanese.
- Limiting FPS may prevent crashes (weight 0.02): Some players suggest locking the frame rate to 60 or 120 FPS to potentially resolve crashing issues, as a similar issue existed in a previous game.
- Inconsistent graphics quality (weight 0.02): Some reviewers felt that the graphics were inconsistent, with urban environments looking good but sea sections looking outdated. One reviewer even stated that the graphics are a step backward from a previous title.

Recommendations:
- Great for Yakuza/LaD fans (weight 0.64): The game is highly recommended, especially for existing fans of the Yakuza/Like a Dragon series, offering a blend of familiar beat 'em up combat, absurd humor, and a unique pirate-themed experience. Some reviewers suggest it's a good entry point for newcomers, while others advise playing previous titles first to avoid spoilers and appreciate returning characters like Majima.
- Wait for technical patches (weight 0.35): Several reviewers report significant technical issues, particularly crashing, which prevent them from recommending the game in its current state. They advise waiting for patches and fixes before purchasing, hoping that these issues will be resolved to allow players to fully enjoy the game.
- Consider buying on sale (weight 0.09): Some reviewers feel the game is not worth the full price, especially compared to other titles in the series, citing its shorter length and potentially repetitive gameplay. They recommend waiting for a significant sale before purchasing, or considering alternative ways to experience the story.
- Better than Skull and Bones (weight 0.04): Several reviewers directly compare the game favorably to Skull and Bones, suggesting it delivers a more enjoyable and complete pirate experience. This comparison positions the game as a superior alternative for players seeking a fun pirate adventure.
- Unique, absurd pirate theme (weight 0.04): The game's unique and absurd pirate theme is a highlight for many, elevating the series' signature aesthetics to new heights. Reviewers appreciate the unexpected events, island vibes, and overall craziness that define the experience.

Other player notes:
- Majima's amnesiac pirate adventure (weight 0.17): The game centers on Goro Majima who suffers from amnesia after a shipwreck and finds himself in Hawaii. He becomes a pirate captain with a father-son dynamic with a character named Noah. The game is a spin-off set six months after the events of Yakuza 8.
- Addresses prior plot points (weight 0.05): The game's story addresses the rushed departure of the Three Swallows faction from the end of "Like a Dragon 8". Despite being a gaiden title, the game has a lot of side content.
- Refreshing pirate aesthetic (weight 0.01): The pirate aesthetic is a fresh and welcome change for the series, offering a unique visual and thematic experience.
- Evolving treasure hunt plot (weight 0.01): The initial goal is to regain memory and save Nova, but it evolves into a search for treasure, leading to a larger conspiracy.
- Predictable plot (weight 0.01): The reviewer found the plot of both main and side stories predictable, suggesting a lack of originality or surprising twists.
- Cliffhanger ending (weight 0.01): The game's ending includes a cliffhanger, leaving players anticipating a continuation or resolution in a future installment.
- Expensive deluxe edition (weight 0.01): The deluxe edition of the game is considered quite expensive, potentially deterring some players from purchasing it.

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