Gameplay & Story
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii throws you right into the action with a wild premise. The game opens with your protagonist (Majima) washing up on a beach, seemingly after a shipwreck, with no memory of who he is, how he got there, or what happened. Faced with the unknown, he makes the only logical choice—"Screw it, I’ll be a pirate." Honestly, I can't blame him. The idea of sailing the seas without any ties or expectations sounds exhilarating. Soon after, you meet Noah, the child who saves you. For reasons only he seems to understand, he takes you under his wing and tries to convince his father to help out a complete stranger. This is just the beginning of the madness to come. The story is as over-the-top as you’d expect from a Yakuza game, with moments that range from laugh-out-loud absurdity to genuinely heartfelt drama. The characters are incredibly lovable—or, in the case of those you’re meant to hate, perfectly despicable. But what truly gives the game its soul is the sheer intensity of their personalities. Speaking of soul, don’t worry—this game still embraces Yakuza’s signature musical moments, and the first one is absolutely stunning, feeling like something straight out of a Disney movie.
Combat retains the signature Yakuza fighting style but is noticeably faster and more accessible than usual. Since this is a Majima game, the chaotic and over-the-top beatdowns have been cranked up to an 11, and it's absolutely glorious. If you're looking for a hyper-realistic pirate simulation, this isn't it (and trust me, don’t go searching for that in Skull & Bones either). But if you want fast, flashy, and downright ridiculous fights—whether against bosses or random pirate thugs—you’re in for a treat. Every encounter is fun, and I mean a lot of fun. There have been plenty of great games releasing lately, but Pirate Yakuza turns the fun factor up to the max—I can't help but smile every time I play. Beyond the brawls, you'll sail the seas, dive into mini-games, and even play full-fledged video games inside the game (yes, there’s a working in-game console). Despite only having five chapters, it feels almost endless with everything there is to do. As a Yakuza spinoff, this one is absolutely worth playing.
Graphics & Design
Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii has a distinct visual style that really stands out. While the graphics aren’t hyper-realistic or groundbreaking, they have a charm that perfectly suits the game’s tone. It almost feels like an arcade shooter, which I think works in its favor. On my PC with a 4070 Super, the game runs incredibly well—smooth, responsive, and without a hitch. Honestly, I believe the stylized visuals are exactly what this game needs. Given how over-the-top and goofy the gameplay is, a more realistic art direction might have made it feel off-balance or taken away from its fun, chaotic energy.
Feedback
I can genuinely say that I love this game, but that doesn’t mean it’s without its quirks. One of the first things I noticed when I booted it up on PC was the strange color issue—characters appeared with an unnatural orange hue. At first, I thought it was an intentional artistic choice, but after a little time with the game, it became clear that it was just a lighting issue. If you’re experiencing the same problem, don’t worry—there are a couple of easy fixes. Switching from HDR to SDR should resolve it in most cases, but if you prefer to keep HDR on, there’s even a mod available that corrects the lighting. It’s a minor hiccup in an otherwise fantastic experience, and once it’s fixed, the game’s vibrant world looks as stunning as it was meant to.
Verdict
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is pure, over-the-top fun. From the moment Majima washes ashore and decides, “Screw it, I’ll be a pirate,” the game delivers a wild mix of hilarious storytelling, heartfelt moments, and chaotic action. The combat is fast, flashy, and completely unhinged, making every fight a blast. Beyond the brawls, there's plenty to do—sailing, mini-games, and even fully playable video games within the game.
The stylized, arcade-like visuals fit perfectly, though some PC players may notice a lighting issue, easily fixed by switching from HDR to SDR or using a mod.
This isn’t a realistic pirate sim—it’s a non-stop ride of absurdity and fun. If you love Yakuza’s signature chaos, this spinoff is a must-play.
