Prepare for a swashbuckling adventure unlike any other! The upcoming Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii promises to be significantly larger and more ambitious than its predecessor, Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name. Discover what RGG Studio revealed at RGG SUMMIT 2024.
Majima's Pirate Adventure Sets Sail in 2025
A Bigger, Bolder Yakuza Experience Awaits
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is set to be a truly epic adventure, exceeding expectations in both scale and scope. RGG Studio president Masayoshi Yokoyama confirmed at RGG SUMMIT 2024 that the game's story and world will be approximately 1.3 to 1.5 times larger than Like a Dragon Gaiden.
For players who found The Man Who Erased His Name relatively concise, Pirate Yakuza offers a massive expansion. It's not merely an extension, but a completely new level of adventure.
"We don't even know the exact area of the city itself," Yokoyama playfully hinted in a Famitsu interview. "Of course, there's Honolulu City, which appeared in Infinite Wealth, and there are various stages, like Madlantis, so I think the game's volume is much larger than Like a Dragon Gaiden."
This increased size translates to a wealth of content. Expect the signature brawling combat, alongside a plethora of quirky side activities and mini-games. Yokoyama suggested the traditional understanding of "Gaiden" as a spin-off or side story is evolving, "gradually disappearing," hinting at a fully realized experience comparable to mainline entries.
Set against the vibrant backdrop of the Hawaiian islands, the game promises a significant departure from previous titles. The charismatic Goro Majima, voiced again by Hidenari Ugaki, takes center stage in this unexpected pirate adventure. The details of Majima's transformation remain shrouded in mystery, even Ugaki himself remaining tight-lipped despite his excitement:
"The game information has finally been announced, but there are many other elements and much more I want to tell you," Ugaki shared. "I tend to talk a lot, but I've been told not to say anything, so I'm not completely satisfied yet."
Intriguing hints emerged from other voice actors. First Summer Uika (Noah Ritchie) teased a live-action scene featuring Ryuji Akiyama (Masaru Fujita), who added cryptic comments about an aquarium and "a lot of beautiful women" during recording.
These "beautiful women" may refer to the "Minato Ward girls," set to appear both in live-action and CG. Ryosuke Horii commented on the July auditions, expressing delight at the applicants' passion for the series.
For more on the auditions, explore our related article!
