He’s finally the lead. Goro Majima. The Mad Dog of Shimano. For years, fans of Sega’s long-running Like a Dragon franchise (formerly Yakuza) have begged Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio to give the eyepatch-wearing chaotic neutral icon his own full-scale adventure. They did it. But honestly, nobody expected it to involve a pirate ship, a talking cat, and a case of amnesia on a remote island near Honolulu.
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is a massive swing. It’s weird. It’s flashy. It’s also exactly the kind of tonal whiplash that makes this series a cult favorite.
If you’ve played Infinite Wealth, you know Hawaii is the new playground. But Majima isn’t here for a vacation. He’s washed up on the shores of Rich Island with no memory of how he got there or why he’s dressed like a swashbuckler. It’s a brawler, not a turn-based RPG like the recent mainline entries. That’s a huge deal for the old-school fans who miss the crunch of real-time combat.
Majima’s Memory Loss and the Pirate Pivot
The story kicks off with a kid named Noah saving Majima from the surf. Majima has zero clue who he is. For a guy with a history as bloody and complicated as his, maybe that’s a blessing? Not really. The "Mad Dog" persona is built on trauma and a very specific set of skills, and watching him rediscover his own brand of insanity while navigating a literal pirate hierarchy is a trip.
The game is set after the events of Infinite Wealth. The Yakuza world is in shambles. The "Great Dissolution" left thousands of former gangsters adrift. Some went legit. Others? Well, they ended up in "Madlantis."
Madlantis is basically a graveyard for old ships and a hub for the criminal underbelly of the Pacific. It’s a neon-soaked pirate cove. Think Tortuga, but with slot machines and Yakuza tattoos. This isn't some historical drama like Like a Dragon: Ishin!; it’s a contemporary pirate fantasy where Majima captains the Goromaru.
The Combat: Mad Dog vs. Sea Dog
Sega didn’t just copy-paste the combat from Yakuza 0. Majima has two distinct fighting styles here.
First, you’ve got "Mad Dog." This is the classic Majima. He’s fast. He uses his dagger. He moves like a blur. If you liked his legendary style from previous games, this is that, but tuned for 2026 hardware. He can clone himself mid-fight now. It's ridiculous and visually spectacular.
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Then there’s the "Sea Dog" style. This is the "Pirate" part of Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii.
In Sea Dog mode, Majima dual-wields short swords. He’s got a grappling hook for closing distances. He can even pull out flintlock pistols. It’s a lot more vertical than previous games. You aren't just punching guys in a narrow alley; you’re swinging from rigging and using tools that feel borderline magical. The flow between these two styles is what keeps the 40-hour runtime from feeling like a grind.
The "Jump" button is also back. It sounds small. It’s not. Being able to actually jump in combat changes the geometry of the fights, allowing for aerial combos that weren't possible in the Kiryu era.
Naval Warfare: Not Just a Minigame
You actually get to sail. The Goromaru is your base of operations, and ship-to-ship combat is a core pillar of the experience.
It’s surprisingly deep. You have to manage your crew, upgrade your hull, and actually aim your cannons. When you disable an enemy ship, you don't just sink it—you board it. This triggers a massive melee battle on the enemy deck. It feels like a chaotic, high-stakes version of the "Dynasty Warriors" style brawls we've seen in the past.
Rich Island and Madlantis aren't the only stops. You’ll spend time in Honolulu, though it’s a more focused version of the map from Infinite Wealth. The focus is on the ocean and the secret islands scattered across the Pacific.
Why the "Pirate" Theme Actually Makes Sense
On the surface, it looks like a joke. A meme that went too far. But if you look at the themes Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio has been playing with lately, it fits.
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The Yakuza are dinosaurs. They are "outlaws" in a world that no longer has a place for them. What is a pirate if not the ultimate outlaw? By moving the setting to the sea, the developers are leaning into the idea of "freedom" versus "structure." Majima has always been the personification of chaotic freedom. Putting him on a pirate ship isn't just a gag; it’s a literal manifestation of his character arc.
Also, let’s be real: Majima in a pirate hat is just good marketing.
Minigames and the "Dragon" DNA
It wouldn’t be a Like a Dragon game without the side content. Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii brings back some staples but adds a tropical twist.
- Dragon Kart is back: And it’s been overhauled with new tracks in the jungle.
- Outfit Customization: You can dress Majima up in some truly cursed clothing. We're talking more than just pirate gear—there are some deeply weird Hawaiian shirts and mascot suits.
- The Colosseum: Located in Madlantis, this is where you go for the hardest fights in the game. It’s where the series’ signature "hidden bosses" usually lurk.
The "Delivery Help" system (summons) returns too. Because Majima is a pirate, these often involve sea creatures or bizarre nautical themed attacks.
Technical Performance and Visuals
Running on the Dragon Engine, the game looks incredible. The water physics are a standout—essential for a game about sailing. The lighting in Madlantis, specifically the way the neon reflects off the rusted metal and ocean spray, shows how far this engine has come since Yakuza 6.
On PS5 and Xbox Series X, the 60fps target is stable, which is crucial for a brawler this fast. If you're on PC, you're going to want a decent GPU to handle the particle effects during the Sea Dog special moves.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Release
A lot of people think this is a "side story" or a smaller DLC expansion. It’s not. Sega is treating this as a full-blooded entry. While it might be shorter than the 100-hour behemoth that was Infinite Wealth, it’s a meaty, standalone experience. You don’t technically need to have played every single previous game to enjoy it, though the emotional weight of Majima’s amnesia hits way harder if you know his history with Kiryu and Saejima.
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There’s also a misconception that the series is "leaving Japan behind." While Hawaii is the focus here, the soul of the game is still deeply rooted in Japanese noir and melodrama. It’s just wearing a lei and holding a cutlass.
Actionable Tips for Players
If you’re planning to dive into the Pacific with Majima, keep these things in mind to avoid frustration early on:
Focus on Crew Recruitment Early
Your ship is only as good as the people on it. Don't just rush the main story. Spend time in Madlantis and Honolulu looking for side quests that reward you with legendary crew members. A high-tier cook or a better gunner makes the naval battles significantly less punishing.
Master the Grapple Hook Combo
In Sea Dog style, the grapple isn't just for movement. You can use it to pull smaller enemies toward you or sling yourself into heavy bruisers. It breaks guards. Use it constantly.
Don’t Ignore the "Life Links"
Even though Majima has amnesia, there are "Memory Fragments" scattered throughout the islands. These function like the "Bucket List" from Infinite Wealth. They provide massive stat boosts and, more importantly, fill in the gaps of Majima’s legendary past for newer players.
Invest in Ship Armor
The ocean is dangerous. You will get ambushed by random pirate fleets. If you haven't upgraded your hull strength, you’ll get sent to a game over screen before you even get a chance to board the enemy.
The Future of the Series
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii proves that RGG Studio is willing to take massive risks. They aren't afraid of being "cringe" or "too weird." By blending serious themes of displacement and aging with the absurdity of pirate battles, they’ve created something that feels fresh in a crowded market of sequels.
Whether this leads to more Majima-led games or if this is his "final flourish" remains to be seen. But for now, having the Mad Dog back in the driver's seat—or the captain's chair—is exactly what the franchise needed to stay unpredictable.
To get the most out of your playthrough, start by clearing the initial tutorials in Rich Island as quickly as possible to unlock the Goromaru. The game truly begins once you have the freedom to navigate the open sea. Map out the ports of call in the archipelago early so you can fast-travel and manage your resources effectively between the high-octane story beats.