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

Prepare for a swashbuckling adventure! The upcoming Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii promises a significantly larger and more ambitious experience than its predecessor, Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name. Details revealed at RGG SUMMIT 2024 paint a picture of a bolder, more expansive game.

Majima's Maritime Misadventures in 2025

A Grander Scale for Pirate Yakuza

RGG Studio President Masayoshi Yokoyama confirmed that Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii's story and game world will be approximately 1.3 to 1.5 times larger than Like a Dragon Gaiden. This isn't a minor expansion; it's a substantial leap in scale. Yokoyama hinted at the sheer size, stating (via Famitsu and machine translation), "We don’t even know the exact area of the city itself...Of course there’s Honolulu City, which appeared in [Infinite Wealth], and there are various stages, such as Madlantis, so I think the game volume is much larger than [Like a Dragon Gaiden]."

The increased scale extends beyond the game world. Expect a packed roster of activities, from signature brawling combat to the series' renowned quirky side content and mini-games. Yokoyama indicated a shift in the "Gaiden" concept, suggesting it's evolving beyond a simple spin-off or side story, becoming a more substantial experience comparable to mainline entries.

The Hawaiian setting offers a significant departure from previous titles, placing the charismatic Goro Majima (voiced by Hidenari Ugaki) at the heart of a unique pirate adventure. While the specifics of Majima's transformation remain shrouded in mystery, Ugaki expressed his excitement, though remaining tight-lipped about details.

Intriguing hints emerged from voice actors. First Summer Uika (Noah Ritchie) teased a live-action scene featuring Ryuji Akiyama (Masaru Fujita). Akiyama added cryptic comments about an aquarium scene and numerous "beautiful women" during recording, fueling speculation about the game's content. These "beautiful women" may be connected to the "Minato Ward girls," who were cast earlier this year and will appear in both live-action and CG form.

The sheer scope of Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii promises a memorable and expansive experience for fans. Stay tuned for further updates!