Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii Will be Much Larger than Like a Dragon Gaiden

Prepare for a swashbuckling adventure! The upcoming Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii promises a significantly larger and more ambitious experience than its predecessor, Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name. RGG Studio revealed details at RGG SUMMIT 2024, highlighting the game's expansive scale.

Majima's Pirate Adventure Sets Sail in 2025

A Grander Scale for Pirate Yakuza

RGG Studio President Masayoshi Yokoyama confirmed that Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii's story and world will be approximately 1.3 to 1.5 times larger than Like a Dragon Gaiden. This isn't a minor expansion; it's a substantial leap in scope. Yokoyama hinted at the game's vastness, mentioning Honolulu (seen in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth) and other locations like Madlantis, contributing to a significantly larger game volume. He even stated, "We don’t even know the exact area of the city itself."

The game's content is equally expansive. Expect the series' signature brawling combat, alongside a plethora of quirky side activities and mini-games. Yokoyama suggested that the traditional "Gaiden" label as a spin-off is becoming obsolete, implying this title will rival mainline entries in scale and depth.

The Hawaiian setting provides a fresh backdrop, further differentiating it from previous titles. Goro Majima, voiced again by Hidenari Ugaki, takes center stage in this unexpected pirate adventure. While the specifics of Majima's transformation remain shrouded in mystery, Ugaki expressed his excitement while remaining tight-lipped about the plot. He teased, "The information about the game has finally been announced, but there are many other elements and there is still a lot of information I want to tell you...I’ve been told not to say anything, so I’m not completely satisfied yet."

Voice actor First Summer Uika (Noah Ritchie) even hinted at a live-action scene featuring Ryuji Akiyama (Masaru Fujita), adding another intriguing layer to the game's production. Akiyama playfully commented on a memorable recording experience, mentioning an aquarium with a clownfish and a surprising number of "beautiful women" present, adding a touch of humor to the anticipation. These "beautiful women" are likely the "Minato Ward girls," who will appear in both live-action and CG form within the game. Their casting process, detailed in a separate article, showcased the enthusiasm and dedication of the selected actresses.