Games from Japan occupy a unique position in the video game industry. Most of the time, they feature both Japanese and English audio. However, some hardcore fans consider playing them in any language other than the original to be blasphemous.
There's no denying that the native voice track offers a more immersive experience, but not everyone wants to read subtitles while playing. Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is in the same boat. The game features Japanese, English, and Chinese localizations, so which one should you choose? Read the guide below for the recommendation.
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Should You Choose English Or Japanese in Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii
Who Should Select Japanese
If you've played any previous Yakuza game with Japanese audio, the choice is simple — stick with the Japanese voice track. Additionally, for players seeking the most authentic experience and complete immersion, the original language is the best option. However, the answer isn’t as straightforward for everyone else.
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Who Should Select English
While Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is developed in Japan, it also features an outstanding English dub. The main character, Goro Majima, is voiced by none other than the talented Matthew Mercer, known for his roles as Levi Ackerman in Attack on Titan and Ganondorf in Tears of the Kingdom. The rest of the cast also delivers strong performances, and the English dub rarely disrupts immersion.
The main reason for choosing the English dub is if players want to focus solely on playing the game rather than reading subtitles. It can be extremely distracting when exciting moments are unfolding on the screen while your eyes are glued to the bottom of the monitor. Additionally, while many lines aren’t voiced, there is plenty of background dialogue that won’t make sense if players don’t understand the language.
For most players, the first playthrough of Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii should be in English. Once they’ve rolled credits, they can try the original Japanese dub — and why not enable New Game Plus while they’re at it?
You can change both the audio and display language from the Settings menu, but doing so will return you to the Main Menu, meaning you will have to reload your latest save.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 81 /100 Critics Rec: 84%
- Released
- February 21, 2025
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Blood, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio
- Publisher(s)
- Sega
