Prepare for a Yakuza adventure unlike any other! 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. Discover the exciting details revealed at RGG SUMMIT 2024.
Majima's Pirate Adventure Sets Sail in 2025
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii – Bigger, Bolder, and More Absurd
The Yakuza/Like a Dragon franchise is setting sail for a hilarious, high-seas adventure in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. RGG Studio President Masayoshi Yokoyama announced at RGG SUMMIT 2024 that the game's world and storyline will be a substantial 1.3 to 1.5 times larger than Like a Dragon Gaiden.
For players who found Gaiden relatively concise, Pirate Yakuza aims to redefine expectations. This isn't a simple expansion; it's a massive leap in scale.
"We don't even know the exact area of the city itself," Yokoyama revealed in a Famitsu interview (machine-translated). "Of course, there's Honolulu City, seen in Infinite Wealth, and various locations like Madlantis, making it considerably larger than Like a Dragon Gaiden."
The game's scope extends beyond sheer size. Expect a wealth of content, from the series' signature brawling combat to a plethora of quirky side activities and minigames. Yokoyama hinted at a shift in the "Gaiden" concept, stating that the idea of a spin-off or side story is "gradually disappearing." This suggests a full-fledged experience comparable to mainline entries.
The Hawaiian islands provide a unique backdrop, a departure even from Gaiden's setting. The charismatic Goro Majima, once again voiced by Hidenari Ugaki, takes center stage in this unexpected pirate adventure. Majima's transformation remains a mystery, even to Ugaki, who expressed excitement while remaining tight-lipped about the details.
"The game's information is finally out, but so many elements remain unannounced," Ugaki commented. "I'm usually quite talkative, but I've been instructed not to spoil anything, so I'm a bit frustrated."
Voice actress First Summer Uika (Noah Ritchie) even teased a live-action scene featuring Ryuji Akiyama (Masaru Fujita). Akiyama playfully hinted at a memorable recording experience: "During a break, I went to the restroom and found an aquarium with a clownfish... and there were a lot of beautiful women on set... It wasn't a dating show, but the scene was exciting enough to make you feel unexpectedly popular."
These "beautiful women" likely refer to the "Minato Ward girls," who will appear in both live-action and CG form. The studio held auditions earlier this year, attracting passionate fans eager to contribute. Ryosuke Horii shared, "It was wonderful to see many applicants, unaware of their specific roles, demonstrate their love for the series and enthusiasm for working with us."
For more details on the auditions, check out our related article!
