A legendary member of the Yakuza’s Tojo clan wakes up on a beach with no idea how they got there. Clothing optional. Hijinx ensue. It might sound like our initial look at Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth at the Xbox Games Showcase in 2023, but it is in fact a brand new adventure.
Our first look at Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii purposely played on that now-iconic introduction, but it’s taking a unique direction. At least Goro Majima – the “Mad Dog of Shimano” and fan-favorite anti-hero of the Yakuza/Like a Dragon series – is wearing pants here, for a start. In Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, Majima has lost his memory (making this a perfect place to start for those who haven’t played before) and has no idea why he’s on this beach, or what’s going on. That makes two of us, friend!
In today’s Xbox Partner Preview, we saw a whole new trailer, which (among many other things) gave us a first look at the game’s brand-new naval battles, and a new, earlier-than-anticipated release date of February 21, 2025. Between the two looks at the game, this Yakuza fan has a lot of questions. And fortunately, Like a Dragon series Chief Producer Hiroyuki Sakamoto has sailed to our rescue to answer them.
Xbox Wire: Waking up on a beach is becoming *a thing* for Like a Dragon characters, huh? What can you tell us about the circumstances leading up to the opening moments of this trailer? Is this taking place after the events of Infinite Wealth?
Sakamoto-san: Yes, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii takes place around 6 months after the events of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth. While we don’t want to reveal too much, we can say that there’s a deep story to unravel the mystery surrounding Majima’s memory loss during an accident and setting off on an adventure with a boy he meets on a tropical island.
Xbox Wire: OK, I have to know: where did this idea come from?
Sakamoto-san: We actually came up with the idea for this game while we were still creating Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, and we wondered what the three main characters, Majima, Saejima and Daigo would do after the story ended. The idea came from compiling a history that would explain what happened to them after the events of Infinite Wealth, into a big side story.
Xbox Wire: Goro Majima has featured in at least a dozen Yakuza/Like a Dragon games, wearing an eyepatch in all of them – was it always his destiny for us to see him as a pirate?
Sakamoto-san: Although Majima’s eye patch has become his signature look, he did not always have to wear one. While we don’t want to spoil this for fans who are new to the series or looking to play all titles from the very beginning, they can find out how he gets his eye patch in the first place in Yakuza 0. He has always forged his own path and popped up in unexpected places, so whether destiny or not, it’s very Majima-like to take the helm of this new adventure.
Xbox Wire: What can you tell us about the naval gameplay seen in this new trailer?
Sakamoto-san: In this game, Majima and his crew will take to the high seas and explore different areas beyond Hawaii, including Rich Island, Madlantis and other hidden islands. While we cannot reveal details just yet, players can expect exciting cannon battles and a whole lot of action, both between ships and brawls. We will share a more in-depth look at the naval combat system in the future, but we hope the new trailer has got you excited for the open sea adventure you’ll embark on.
Xbox Wire: Aside from ship-to-ship battle, we get glimpses of what Like a Dragon is known for: brawling. Are roles reversed in this game, where naval combat is the primary gameplay mode, with action/fighting almost in a ‘minigame’ role?
Sakamoto-san: While naval battle will be new, real-time action combat will still play a significant role in the game. In addition to Majima’s Mad Dog style focused on speed, agility, and knife fighting, he also has a Sea Dog style where players can dual-wield cutlass short swords, pistols and other pirate tools in combat. We encourage players to mix-up attacks by switching between both styles and getting a feel for the fast, fun kind of action that is unique to Majima, as well as the ability to do air combos to deal even more damage. We hope that players will enjoy the fighting combat just as much as the new naval combat, which we will unveil more details about in the near future.
Xbox Wire: Tell us more about Madlantis; how is it different from The Castle, the floating casino/arena, which was a key setting in Like a Dragon: The Man Who Erased His Name?
Sakamoto-san: They’re very different. Madlantis is a ship graveyard dug into a cave on a secret island. It has a sprawling pleasure district where criminals go to blow off steam and do battle in the Pirates’ Coliseum, where ships duke it out in exhilarating real-time naval battles. There’s lots more to enjoy and explore as you confront those who oversee this expansive hideout. The map is also larger than The Castle.
Xbox Wire: A pirate is only as good as their crew: who is Majima running with in this trailer? What can you share about new characters like Queen Michelle and Raymond Law?
Sakamoto-san: Noah Rich, the boy who discovers Majima on the beach of Rich Island, his pet cat Goro and father Jason Rich along with ship cook Masaru Fujita form the core of his crew. Facing them down are Queen Michelle and Raymond Law (played by pro wrestler Samoa Joe), the pirate queen and king of Madlantis, who rule the island with an iron fist.
Xbox Wire: I don’t want to ruin any surprises for players of the game, but should we expect to see some familiar faces, besides Taiga Saejima, also seen in the trailer?
Sakamoto-san: Yes, we hope longtime fans of the franchise will look forward to seeing familiar faces turn up throughout Majima’s adventures. Today fans can also pre-order the game to add Ichiban Kasuga and his pet crawfish Nancy to their crew!
Xbox Wire: Finally, in this trailer we see Majima playing a golden fiddle, wailing on a guitar, sharks in battle, a giant monkey uppercutting somebody. Am I having a fever dream?
Sakamoto-san: If by fever dream you mean an over-the-top pirate yakuza adventure unlike anything you’ve experienced before, then yes! We can’t wait for players to discover all the surprises out on the open seas.
Thanks Sakamoto-san! In a game whose very existence took everyone by surprise, here’s another: players will be able to unlock Majima’s chest of secrets earlier than previously announced – Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is now shipping out on February 21, 2025.
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii
SEGA