Colossal Expansion: Yakuza Pirates Set Sail for Hawaii

Prepare for a swashbuckling adventure unlike any other! 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. Discover the details revealed at RGG SUMMIT 2024.

Majima's Hawaiian Hijinks Set Sail in 2025

A Bigger, Bolder Pirate Adventure Awaits

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is set to be a massive leap forward for the series. RGG Studio President Masayoshi Yokoyama confirmed at RGG SUMMIT 2024 that the game's world and story will be 1.3 to 1.5 times larger than Like a Dragon Gaiden. This isn't just a minor expansion; it's a whole new scale of adventure.

Yokoyama hinted at the game's expansive scope in an interview with Famitsu: "We don’t even know the exact area of the city itself," he teased. "Of course there’s Honolulu City, which appeared in Infinite Wealth, and there are various stages, such as Madlantis, so I think the game volume is much larger than Like a Dragon Gaiden."

Expect a substantial increase in content, from the signature brawling combat to the series' beloved 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 scope and depth.

The Hawaiian setting provides a dramatic change of pace, even more so than Like a Dragon Gaiden. The charismatic 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 (though he’s been sworn to secrecy!). "The game information has finally been announced, but there are many other elements, and I still have a lot of information I want to tell you," Ugaki stated. "I have a tendency to talk a lot about various things, but I’ve been told not to say anything, so I’m not completely satisfied yet."

Intriguing hints have also emerged regarding potential cameos and unexpected scenes. Voice actor First Summer Uika (Noah Ritchie) teased a live-action scene featuring Ryuji Akiyama (Masaru Fujita), adding a layer of mystery and anticipation. Akiyama himself cryptically described an interesting recording scene involving an aquarium and "a lot of beautiful women," leaving fans to speculate.

These "beautiful women" may be connected to the "Minato Ward girls," who will appear in both live-action and CG form. Ryosuke Horii commented on the auditions held earlier this year, noting the enthusiasm and dedication of the participants.

For more on the auditions, check out our related article!