Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii | Review Thread
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Humdinger
Gold Member
I'm about 12 hours in, goofing around in Ch. 2. I'm enjoying it, although I miss some of the old Yakuza elements.
This is definitely much "cozier" than the Yakuza games I've played before, with all the activities like taking photos, making friends, planting and harvesting, feeding people, building bonds through conversation, rescuing animals, etc. It still has an "adult" feel, though, with the cursing and violence. It's an odd combo. Yakozy.
The activities are densely packed on the map. I'm not sure I like that. In Kamurocho, it was nice talk to walk leisurely through town without too much interruption, but here there are icons everywhere. I find it easy in Yakuza games to focus on the main mission while picking up occasional side-stories, but here, the side activities are so plentiful, it's hard to walk a block without something calling for my attention.
It's a more relaxing game than your standard Yakuza. The tense melodrama is gone, combat is easier, and most of the activities are pretty simple. The side stories still crack me up, and combat is fun.
This is definitely much "cozier" than the Yakuza games I've played before, with all the activities like taking photos, making friends, planting and harvesting, feeding people, building bonds through conversation, rescuing animals, etc. It still has an "adult" feel, though, with the cursing and violence. It's an odd combo. Yakozy.
The activities are densely packed on the map. I'm not sure I like that. In Kamurocho, it was nice talk to walk leisurely through town without too much interruption, but here there are icons everywhere. I find it easy in Yakuza games to focus on the main mission while picking up occasional side-stories, but here, the side activities are so plentiful, it's hard to walk a block without something calling for my attention.
It's a more relaxing game than your standard Yakuza. The tense melodrama is gone, combat is easier, and most of the activities are pretty simple. The side stories still crack me up, and combat is fun.
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rubik's dude
Member
The Masaru dating storyline was the best fucking thing ever. 10/10 for that alone.
Windle Poons
Made a crappy phPBB forum once ... once.
Kacho
Member
Yeah the way Majima points at them like a smartass lol. Dude oozes charisma
Feel Like I'm On 42
Member
Only thing to do is raise the brightness, unless it has sliders for white point/black/mid etc
Some games just have a broken implementation where even if you raise brightness it'll just make everything feel over brightened and this is probably one of those. Crazy that HDR hasn't been figured out by developers in 2025. MH Wilds HDR is totally broken too except in the opposite direction ...raises blacks and its like a fake hdr that doesn't give you real highlights. Both cases are annoying then you have to wait and hope devs fix it which has about a 10% chance of happening.
Feel Like I'm On 42
Member
Have you noticed how they keep making combat easier in this series? What is up with that?
Humdinger
Gold Member
I haven't noticed a trend, no, but then I haven't played all the games (only 0, 1, 2, 6, and LAD: Gaiden), so I don't have a clear sense of the full sequence.
This game's combat is certainly easier than every other Yakuza game I've played. I think that's part of this game's intention to be more comfortable, casual, and relaxing.
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rubik's dude
Member
Just finished the game. Aside from being short, it was absolutely a joy from start to finish.
Have to say, the epilogue cutscene almost got me crying in the club: Majima being so adamant on finding the Elixir of Life because he was subconsciously hoping to find a cure for Kiryu.
I was like...... GET OUTTA HERE WITH THAT SHIT
Have to say, the epilogue cutscene almost got me crying in the club: Majima being so adamant on finding the Elixir of Life because he was subconsciously hoping to find a cure for Kiryu.
I was like...... GET OUTTA HERE WITH THAT SHIT
DeVeAn
Member
Bro, I was a little lost then I put it together when he enters that room I was like whoa?!Just finished the game. Aside from being short, it was absolutely a joy from start to finish.
Have to say, the epilogue cutscene almost got me crying in the club: Majima being so adamant on finding the Elixir of Life because he was subconsciously hoping to find a cure for Kiryu.
I was like...... GET OUTTA HERE WITH THAT SHIT
same, i'm trying to get through yakuza 5 and 6 before they leave gamepass this month and they kind of remind of soap operas, there so many cutscenes
Humdinger
Gold Member
There doesn't seem to be much of that here, fwiw. I'm 18 hours in now, and I would estimate I've sat through maybe an hour of cutscenes. I'm sure there are more ahead, but there don't seem to be half as many here as in most Yakuza games.
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xrnzaaas
Member
Finally finished the game after about 45 hours (a lot of time was spent on exploration and side activities). The ending was shaping up to be "only" decent with a rather weak main antagonist, but the post credits scene definitely elevated it.
Overall it's a solid 8/10 even with the clearly lower production values and less dubbed dialogues. What I love about Yakuza games is that they generate various emotions - in this case a lot of happy ones, but some sad ones as well. They're not soulless (semi)open world games like many other titles.
Overall it's a solid 8/10 even with the clearly lower production values and less dubbed dialogues. What I love about Yakuza games is that they generate various emotions - in this case a lot of happy ones, but some sad ones as well. They're not soulless (semi)open world games like many other titles.
zokie
Member
Notice of Patch 1.12 Release for Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii ｜NEWS｜Like A Dragon Web Portal｜SEGA
Discover the latest announcements related to the Like a Dragon series here! Learn more about the games, events, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio's upcoming releases, exclusive bonuses, and more!
Windle Poons
Made a crappy phPBB forum once ... once.
In the coliseum fights is there any way to top up your health or is that the point?
Some of the later 4 or 5 fights in a row I'm struggling with.
Some of the later 4 or 5 fights in a row I'm struggling with.
Humdinger
Gold Member
About 25 hours in now, just finishing up with Honolulu (Ch. 2). I did most of the side quests, although I skipped a few that felt like busywork (e.g., snapping photos). I recruited most of the available crew, although I left behind a dozen whose requirements I didn't care to meet. I clobbered all the fugitives from justice, none of whom calmly surrendered. With the cash from that, I bought a bunch of upgrades. I cooked up a ton of meals, although I've only eaten a few of them so far. My pantry is definitely overstuffed.
I'm enjoying it. It isn't going to end up being my favorite Yakuza game, but it's a pleasant diversion, occasionally touching or hilarious.
I'm enjoying it. It isn't going to end up being my favorite Yakuza game, but it's a pleasant diversion, occasionally touching or hilarious.
Humdinger
Gold Member
I'm about 38 hours in, still plugging away. Just finished the "Pirate" story, which took quite some time. I enjoyed it, although I spent the last couple days battling Devils Fleet ships, and I'm a little fatigued with that.
If you pursue side content, it's easy to over-level. I'm nearly maxxed out on everything, and I know I still have a fair distance to go before the end.
If you pursue side content, it's easy to over-level. I'm nearly maxxed out on everything, and I know I still have a fair distance to go before the end.
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phant0m
Member
I gotta say, the pacing on this and density of content in open world areas in this is damn near impeccable.
14 hours in on Act III and it feels like there's always something exciting happening - a new story twist, new characters, new type of gameplay, it's just relentless in the best way.
In the open world areas (Honolulu esp) the map is the perfect size and super dense with interesting activities that are quick but rewarding to engage with and so much variety available.
Might be my favorite in the series since 0 (though I still need to play Infinite Wealth)
14 hours in on Act III and it feels like there's always something exciting happening - a new story twist, new characters, new type of gameplay, it's just relentless in the best way.
In the open world areas (Honolulu esp) the map is the perfect size and super dense with interesting activities that are quick but rewarding to engage with and so much variety available.
Might be my favorite in the series since 0 (though I still need to play Infinite Wealth)
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Mhmmm 2077
Member
So I just wanted to notice one thing: Kiryu Gaiden had unexpected FMV stuff. Majima Gaiden also had unexpected FMV stuff. I hope this trend continues and every other Gaiden game that we might get, will have some sort of FMV stuff in it too.
Humdinger
Gold Member
When you say Kiryu Gaiden had FMV, are you referring to the Cabaret girl stuff? If so, I didn't progress far in that. Doing it the first time made me feel like a simp and a sucker - "I paid 10K for that?" - so I never went back.
The FMV in this game was on another level and really made me laugh. I'm not familiar with the actor who plays Masura, but I assume he's a comic actor in Japan. Great stuff. I thought it was very creative. I've never seen anything like that in a videogame before.
adamsapple
Or is it just one of Phil's balls in my throat?
Playing this now.
The whole premise for this game is so fucking insane, lol. Probably best tongue-in-cheek humor and dialogues in a while.
Majima straight up saying that we don't need to worry about how they overcame the language barrier between the characters had me laughing.
The whole premise for this game is so fucking insane, lol. Probably best tongue-in-cheek humor and dialogues in a while.
Majima straight up saying that we don't need to worry about how they overcame the language barrier between the characters had me laughing.
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adamsapple
Or is it just one of Phil's balls in my throat?
This is the kind of absurd game I need right now.
Hope the franchise never changes.
Hope the franchise never changes.
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adamsapple
Or is it just one of Phil's balls in my throat?
--
adamsapple
Or is it just one of Phil's balls in my throat?
Oh my god, they're really doing a 10 minute FMV interlude mimicking The Bachelor.
ahahahaha
ahahahaha
adamsapple
Or is it just one of Phil's balls in my throat?
The FMV sequence was way longer and more elaborate than I could have expected, lol.