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

A few days ahead of its official release, gaming journalists began sharing their reviews of Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. The PS5 version currently holds a Metacritic average score of 79 out of 100.

Reviewers widely agree that Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio has crafted perhaps the most outlandish entry in the franchise. The return to a fast-paced, action-oriented combat system— reminiscent of pre-2020 titles—has been lauded, particularly the addition of engaging naval battles which provide welcome gameplay variety.

Protagonist Goro Majima received positive feedback, though the narrative itself drew mixed reactions, with some critics finding it less compelling than mainline entries. Similarly, the game's environments were criticized for a degree of repetitiveness.

Despite these shortcomings, the consensus is that Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii will likely resonate with both veteran fans and newcomers alike.