"Pirate Yakuza: Elevating Comedic Manliness"

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is set to deliver an intriguing mix of serious drama and wild comedy, 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 weaving a "manly drama" into its storyline, as shared by RGG Studio in an interview with Automaton Media.

While the series is renowned for its humor, with Majima often highlighted as one of the most amusing characters, RGG Studio director Masayoshi Yokoyama has revealed 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 comments, emphasizing the "manly drama" at the game's core. This drama showcases Majima's fervent journey towards his objectives and the meaningful connections he forms along the way. "The goofing off isn't the main focus – at the heart of it all is a manly drama. Sure, there are some wild detours, but fundamentally, it’s a straightforward narrative about a passionate man," Horii explained.

Horii also highlighted Majima's unique qualities, which set him apart from the series' long-time protagonist, Kazuma Kiryu. As translated by Automaton, "If we didn’t leverage that uniqueness, there would be no point in making Majima the lead. That's why we've pushed the boundaries of reality a bit more than we would with Kiryu, aiming to provide players with a rich, varied action experience. ... Balancing the pirate elements, Majima's character, and the essence of 'Ryu ga Gotoku' was a challenge."

This game promises a perfect harmony of realism and extravagance, as the team has strived to avoid a dull experience by infusing the gameplay with a touch of "wildness," all while maintaining a serious and compelling drama.

Majima Maji Festival In Japan

To celebrate the game's upcoming release, RGG Studio is organizing a special event, Majima’s Maji Festival, in six cities across Japan. The event kicked off on December 1st, 2024, in Sapporo and is nearing its end, with final stops in Nagoya on January 18th and Tokyo on January 25th. If you're in either of these cities on those dates, don't miss out on the festivities!

The newest installment in the Like a Dragon/Yakuza series, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, puts the spotlight on the recurring character "The Mad Dog of Shimano," Goro Majima. With its thrilling combat system, exciting naval battles, vibrant characters, and passionate storyline, it promises to offer a unique modern-day pirate adventure.

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is set to launch on PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One on February 21st.