"Pirate Yakuza: Elevating Comedic Manliness"

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is set to blend serious drama with comedic wildness, according to developer RGG Studio. Dive deeper to discover what this game has in store!

Featuring "Serious" Majima

But There’ll Still Be Goofing Off

The latest addition to the beloved Like a Dragon series aims to stretch the limits 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 hailed as one of the funniest characters, RGG Studio director Masayoshi Yokoyama emphasized that this iteration of Majima will adopt a "more serious" demeanor, particularly at the story's outset.

Ryosuke Horii, the producer of Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, elaborated on Yokoyama’s statement, highlighting the "manly drama" at the heart of the game. This drama will showcase Majima's passionate pursuit of his goals and the bonds he forms during his over-the-top journey. "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 that differentiate 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 promises to strike the perfect balance between realism and extravagance, as the team ensures the gameplay remains "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 themed event, Majima’s Maji Festival, in six cities across Japan. The festival kicked off on December 1, 2024, in Sapporo and is nearing its conclusion, with final stops in Nagoya on January 18th and Tokyo on January 25th. If you're in either of these cities on the specified dates, don't miss out on the festivities!

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 protagonist. With its thrilling action-packed combat system, exhilarating naval battles, vibrant cast, and passionate narrative, it promises to deliver an unparalleled 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.