Days before its official launch, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii garnered early reviews from various media outlets. The PS5 version currently holds a Metacritic average score of 79 out of 100.
Reviewers widely agree that Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio has crafted a wildly absurd, yet undeniably entertaining, spin-off. The return to a fast-paced, action-oriented combat system—a style reminiscent of earlier franchise entries—has been lauded, particularly the addition of engaging naval battles which provide welcome gameplay variety.
While protagonist Goro Majima received positive feedback, the narrative itself drew mixed reactions, with some critics deeming it less compelling than mainline entries. Similarly, the game's environments were criticized for a degree of repetitiveness.
Despite these shortcomings, the consensus is that Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii will likely resonate with both longtime fans and newcomers alike.
