Naval Combat in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii Explained

Mastering Naval Combat in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii introduces thrilling naval combat, a significant departure for the Yakuza series. This guide details the mechanics of this engaging new system.

Early game provides a small ship, the Goromaru, equipped with two cannons (port and starboard) and a front-mounted turret. Encounters with enemy ships are frequent. While fleeing is an option, the Goromaru's slow speed makes this risky, particularly against ships with ranged attacks. Direct confrontation is recommended.

Three primary attack types exist:

• Turret Gun Attacks: Ideal for mid-range engagements. Damage is inflicted while approaching, setting up for cannon fire at close range. Direct turret control is possible but riskier.
• Left and Right Cannons: The Goromaru's most powerful attacks (L2/R2). Effective only at close range (indicated by illuminated cannon icons). Each cannon requires a reload period, necessitating strategic ship maneuvering.
• RPG Missile: Switching to a deck perspective (risky at close range) allows Goro to use an RPG for long-range attacks. This is often a beneficial opening strategy.

Ship control utilizes the left stick, with a boost function for speed increases. Boosting while pressing the drift button (O/B) allows spinning maneuvers for dodging cannon fire or repositioning for optimal cannon usage.

Two-Stage Naval Battles and Boarding Parties

Many battles, especially boss fights and Pirate Coliseum encounters, are two-phased. The first phase involves destroying the main enemy ship (higher health than smaller ships). Focusing solely on the boss ship is key to progressing to the second phase.

Once the boss ship's health is depleted, a boarding party prompt appears. Naval combat transitions to a Yakuza-style beat-'em-up. These are often outnumbered engagements, highlighting the importance of crew member leveling and morale boosting. Crew captains possess stat-boosting abilities, adding to the challenge. Players can assign support crew with their own stat boosts. Victory requires eliminating the enemy crew before your own is defeated.

Mastering two-stage naval battles is crucial for progression, especially in the latter half of the game and the Pirate Coliseum. Frequent ship encounters during exploration further emphasize the importance of understanding naval combat mechanics. The innovative ship mechanics and combat offer a refreshing twist to the Yakuza formula. With strategic crew management, upgrades, and customization, the Goromaru can dominate the seas.

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.