Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii Will be Much Larger than Like a Dragon Gaiden

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. Details revealed at RGG SUMMIT 2024 paint a picture of a truly expansive experience.

Majima's Hawaiian Hijinks: A Grander Scale

RGG Studio president Masayoshi Yokoyama confirmed that Pirate Yakuza's story and world will be approximately 1.3 to 1.5 times larger than Like a Dragon Gaiden. This isn't a simple expansion; it's a game of a completely different magnitude. Yokoyama hinted at the sheer size, stating (via Famitsu and machine translation), "We don’t even know the exact area of the city itself...there’s Honolulu City...and various stages, such as Madlantis, so I think the game volume is much larger than [Like a Dragon Gaiden]."

Beyond the expanded world, expect a wealth of content. The signature brawling combat returns, alongside a plethora of quirky side activities and mini-games. Yokoyama suggested the traditional "Gaiden" label as a "spin-off" or "side story" is becoming obsolete, implying Pirate Yakuza will be a full-fledged experience comparable to mainline entries.

A Tropical Twist with Familiar Faces

The game, set in and around the Hawaiian islands, offers a significant departure from previous titles. The ever-charming 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 remaining tight-lipped about plot details. He simply stated, "The information about the game has finally been announced, but there are many other elements and there is still a lot of information I want to tell you...I’ve been told not to say anything, so I’m not completely satisfied yet."

Intriguing Teasers and Live-Action Surprises

Voice actress First Summer Uika (Noah Ritchie) and Ryuji Akiyama (Masaru Fujita) offered tantalizing hints. Akiyama teased a live-action scene, recounting a humorous anecdote involving an aquarium and "a lot of beautiful women" during filming, adding an element of playful mystery. These "beautiful women" may be the "Minato Ward girls," who will appear in both live-action and CG form. Their casting process, detailed in a separate article, highlighted the studio's dedication to finding passionate actors who love the series.

Get ready to set sail on an unforgettable adventure with Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii!