Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii scored 79/100 on first reviews

Pre-release reviews for Like a Dragon: Ishin! (the Hawaii pirate Yakuza game) are in, and the PS5 version currently holds a Metacritic average of 79/100. Many critics agree that Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio has delivered perhaps its most outlandish spin-off yet.

The game's return to a fast-paced, action-focused combat system – reminiscent of pre-2020 entries in the franchise – has been lauded, particularly the addition of exciting naval battles which add considerable variety to the gameplay.

While protagonist Goro Majima received positive feedback, the narrative itself has drawn mixed reactions, with some reviewers finding it less compelling than the main series entries. Similarly, the game's environments were criticized for a degree of repetitiveness.

Despite these shortcomings, the consensus is that Like a Dragon: Ishin! will likely resonate with both veteran fans and newcomers alike.