Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii charts a thrilling new course for the Yakuza series, introducing exhilarating naval combat. Mastering this system is key to success, and with its multiple layers of ship control, understanding its mechanics is crucial. This guide breaks down how naval combat works in Pirate Yakuza.
How Naval Combat Works in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii
Early in the game, you'll command the Goromaru, a small pirate ship initially equipped with two cannons (port and starboard) and a forward-mounted machine gun turret. While sailing, you'll frequently encounter enemy ships. You can choose to engage or attempt to flee, but escaping can be risky, especially against stronger ships with ranged attacks. Facing enemies head-on is generally the best strategy.
Naval combat offers three primary attack types:
Turret Gun Attacks: The turret is your mid-range weapon of choice. It allows you to deal damage while approaching, setting you up for a close-range cannon barrage. You can also manually control the turret, though this is riskier.
Left and Right Cannons: These are your most powerful weapons, activated using L2/R2 (depending on your platform) to fire from either side. They're effective at close range only; a lit-up cannon icon indicates a guaranteed hit. Remember, cannons need time to reload, so strategically maneuver your ship to use both sides effectively. 
RPG Missile: Shifting the camera to the ship's deck allows you to freely control Goro. This is best done at a safe distance, as it halts your ship's movement. From here, equip an RPG for long-range attacks, ideal for weakening enemies before closing in.
Pirate Ship Maneuvering
Use the left stick to control the Goromaru. A boost function temporarily increases speed. Combine boosting with a drift maneuver (O on PS5 DualSense, B on Xbox) to spin your ship, evading cannon fire or repositioning for optimal cannon attacks.
Boarding Parties
Many naval battles, particularly boss fights and Pirate Coliseum encounters, are two-stage affairs. The first stage involves destroying the main enemy ship (which has more health than smaller ships). Focus your fire on the boss ship to progress to the second stage.
Once the main ship's health is depleted, a prompt will appear to initiate the boarding party. This transitions the combat to a familiar Yakuza-style beat-'em-up. You'll often be outnumbered, so leveling up your crew and boosting their morale is crucial. Captain enemies possess stat-boosting abilities, adding to the challenge. Assign support crew to enhance your stats. The goal is to defeat the enemy crew before your party is wiped out. 
Mastering these two-stage naval battles is essential for progression in the Pirate Coliseum and later story chapters. Regular encounters at sea will also demand a solid understanding of naval combat. This new pirate system adds a refreshing dimension to the Yakuza formula, offering a compelling alternative to traditional gameplay. Upgrade and customize your Goromaru to become the most formidable ship on the waves.
That's naval combat in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii explained.
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
