There’s an old Simpson’s gag where Homer points out that companies always listen to his demographic by showing off a can of Peanuts and Gum (“Together At Last!”) Today, I am Homer Simpson, because Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is an insanely specific collection of all my favorite things put into one game. I’m serious! I have never felt so seen by a game company before. It’s thrilling, it’s hilarious, it’s bizarre, and honestly? I’m a little scared.
If you’re a Yakuza fan, this game is everything you could need in your Japanese Mafia Beat-em-up. But it’s also perfect for fans of Dynasty Warriors. And while we’re at it, Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag! And that’s just for scratching the surface!
Like any good game in the franchise, Pirate Yakuza has an insane story, over-the-top combat, a heart-wrenching main plot, and some of the most deranged side quests ever conceived. The gameplay is constantly evolving, but in a fun and interesting way, keeping things fresh and engaging all the way through.
Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is on Steam for $59.99
Story – Yo Ho Ho and a Bottle of Crazy
An amnesiac Goro Majima washes ashore an island near Hawaii – no memory, no idea why he’s there, and no way off the island unless he barters with a bunch of cosplaying pirates. And really? That’s all you need. This is Goro Majima. Pirate Yakuza offers a deeper, rich story if you want it, but fun is paramount in this game, so if that’s all you pay attention to, you’re still good. Majima is a pirate now. Go pirate everything!
If you’re a fan of the series, rest assured that Pirate Yakuza follows the series tradition of a deep, moving main story with bonkers side quests. You quickly meet up with Noah, a young boy chained to Rich Island by fate, yearning to explore the world out there. So, of course, you adopt him, kick the crap out of thirty-something pirates, and take over as captain! Also he has a cat that is totally not a tiger. Just ask him.
There is a moe scene where you romance a tiger cub. I am not joking.
Like any good Yakuza game, Pirate Yakuza’s story goes so ham, gets so goofy, that you think you can’t possibly take it seriously. Then it punches you in the gut. In chapter one alone you go from Majima becoming captain to learning Yakuza are trying to remove nuclear waste from an island to finding out there’s an entire culture of pirates based out of a modern-day Isla Tortuga called Madlantis.
The game gives the quickest, flimsiest excuse for why you’re sailing in Spanish galleons while calling out for UberEats on your smartphone, but frankly, it doesn’t need it. If you’re willing to give Pirate Yakuza one freebie – classical pirates operate near Hawaii with laser cannons on their ships – you’re rewarded with a much more interesting plot.
No joke, making sure you have a cool Pirate pose is a plot point.
Gameplay – X Marks the Spot!
The gameplay in Pirate Yakuza is split into two parts: land and sea. On land, it’s classic Yakuza—meeting people, playing minigames, and throwing hands with anyone who so much as looks at you funny. But the real magic happens once you weigh anchor. Fight pirates, sail the open seas, and commit enough maritime crime to make Ubisoft jealous.
By Land…
First off, rest easy—every minigame you love is here. Karaoke, cooking, golf, batting cages—even Go-Karting around Honolulu. But Pirate Yakuza isn’t just a greatest-hits collection of distractions. The combat, the equipment system, and even just the way you explore all come together to make this one of the most engaging entries in the series.
Like always, Majima has multiple fighting styles. ‘Mad Dog’ plays like classic Majima, but ‘Sea Dog’ arms him with a pair of cutlasses and a flintlock pistol, making combat feel completely fresh. Gathering new gear and stacking gaudy rings on every finger like you’re cosplaying as the Mandarin lets you tear through more enemies than ever before. And without spoiling too much—yes, there is a reoccurring fight in Pirate Yakuza where your crew takes on 100 foes at once. It rules.
Speaking of your crew, Pirate Yakuza makes every single member feel unique. You start with a skeleton crew, but through classic Yakuza-style side quests, you’ll recruit the wildest bunch of misfits in the Pacific. Ninjas, chefs, J-Pop stars, literally just Nicole Kidman, S&M twins, a lumberjack—the list goes on. You’ll bond with them, throw feasts, assign them roles on your ship, and bring them along to fight and hunt treasure. Every crew member adds personality and utility, making recruitment one of the most rewarding parts of the game.
Every member of your crew is unique. Collect ’em all!
…And by Sea!
Piracy has never felt better than when the seas finally open up to you. You’re given command of the Goro-maru, a battered old galleon with ancient cannons and torn sails—but that won’t last long. With the right quests and the right crew, you’ll upgrade your ship with laser cannons, shark launchers, and anime girl decals big enough to make any weeb sob with joy.
But what good is all that firepower without someone to unleash it on? Behold… Madlantis. If hunting pirates on the open sea isn’t enough, the Pirate Queen and her king, Samoa Joe (yes, that Samoa Joe), offer a more direct way to flex your naval dominance: the Colosseum. Fire on your foes! Board their ships and wipe out their crew! Win fabulous prizes and eternal bragging rights! And did I mention your ship can drift like you’re in Fast & Furious?
Pirate Yakuza nails the thrill of naval combat, but if there’s one drawback, it’s that the sailing sections feel a bit too boxed in. Much like how Kamurocho was divided into explorable chunks in past games, the ocean isn’t one big, seamless world—you’ll use lighthouses to warp between sections. It’s not a dealbreaker, and on-ship boosts and speed gates keep things moving, but sometimes, you just wanna set sail. Let the wind take you. Instead, you’re stuck fast-traveling like some landlubber calling an Uber.
If you’re getting Black Flag vibes, that is the intention.
Graphics & Audio – A Bounteous Treasure!
The sounds and sights of Pirate Yakuza are an absolute delight. You can see the care and attention to detail that went into bringing Honolulu and the high seas to life. While the game runs smoothly enough, the real beauty is in the details – NPCs scrambling for cover when it rains, the mesmerizing fluidity of Majima’s attacks and cutscenes that feel like a wild fusion of Mad Max and One Piece.
As for the audio, the soundtrack is, of course, fantastic. And with everything from NiGHTS into Dreams to Angry Birds in the mix, it only gets better. I know purists will never budge, but if you give the English VA a chance, Matt Mercer absolutely devours the role of Majima. That lilting voice. The rollercoaster of pitches. The madness simmering even in his calm moments. It’s perfect!
If I have one complaint, it’s the repetitiveness of the voice lines. Maybe it’s easier to tune out in Japanese, but in Pirate Yakuza’s English dub, you will get tired of the same three battle quips over and over. And in minigames? Matt Mercer’s enthusiastic callouts can start to feel like a broken record. Still… hearing him belt out the Goro Pirates Anthem? It’s worth all the repetition in the world. Oh! And did I mention this game is part musical, too?
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- Not even Mario Kart is safe from being folded into this game.
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- The maps are fun, but a bit small.
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- Yes, all the minigames you expect are there plus more!
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- You didn’t really think you’d get through a Yakuza without karaoke, did you?
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii was reviewed on PC.
