Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is set to blend serious drama with comedic wildness, according to developer RGG Studio. Here's a detailed look at what fans can expect from this exciting new game.
Featuring "Serious" Majima
The latest addition to the beloved Like a Dragon series aims to stretch the boundaries of reality while delivering a "manly drama" storyline, as revealed by RGG Studio in an interview with Automaton Media.
Although the series is renowned for its humor and gags, with Majima often cited as one of its funniest characters, RGG Studio director Masayoshi Yokoyama emphasized that this iteration of Majima will adopt a "more serious" demeanor, particularly at the beginning of the story.
Ryosuke Horii, the producer of Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, elaborated on Yokoyama's comments, highlighting the "manly drama" at the heart of the game. This narrative focuses on Majima's passionate pursuit of his goals and the bonds he forms during his extraordinary journey. Horii stated, "The goofing off isn’t the main point – there’s a manly drama at the center of things. Of course, there are some crazy parts to take detours to, but overall, I think it’s a straightforward tale about a passionate man."
Horii also pointed out Majima's unique qualities, which distinguish him from the series' long-time protagonist, Kazuma Kiryu. As translated by Automaton, "So, if we didn’t take proper advantage of that, there would be no point in having Majima as the main character. That’s why we blurred the lines of reality a little more than we would with Kiryu, hoping to offer players rich action that’s full of variety. … I wanted to strike a good balance between the pirate-ness, Majima-ness, and ‘Ryu ga Gotoku’-ness, so I think that was a difficult part."
The game is designed to achieve an optimal balance between realism and extravagance. The team at RGG Studio aimed to keep the gameplay "wilder" while preserving a serious and compelling drama.
Majima Maji Festival In Japan
To celebrate the game’s upcoming release, RGG Studio is hosting a special event called Majima’s Maji Festival across six cities in Japan. The festival kicked off on December 1, 2024, in Sapporo and is nearing its end, with stops planned in Nagoya on January 18th and Tokyo on January 25th. If you're in either of these cities on those dates, don't miss out on the fun!
The latest installment in the Like a Dragon/Yakuza franchise, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, features the recurring character "The Mad Dog of Shimano," Goro Majima, as the lead. With its action-packed combat system, thrilling naval combat, vibrant cast, and passionate story, it promises to deliver a unique modern-day pirate adventure.
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii will be available on PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One starting February 21st.
