This article contains SPOILERS for Yakuza 0 and Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth.
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is set to see Goro Majima headline a game once again, this time as an amnesiac pirate captain sailing around the Hawaiian islands. The wacky premise and tone of Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii are fitting for the character, and serve as a nice contrast to the much more emotional stories of the previous games in the series, Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name and Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth. However, this doesn't mean a serious game starring Majima could never work, and one fan-favorite entry in the franchise proves this.
Recently, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio chief producer Hiroyuki Sakamoto claimed in an interview with TheGamer that "you can't make a serious Majima game" and that any game made around him is going to be over the top. While it's largely true that Majima is one of the franchise's most over-the-top characters, Yakuza 0 showed a much more subdued side of him that helped elevate him to the fan-favorite character he is today. Ignoring the success of Majima's story in Yakuza 0 does a disservice to the character, and he shouldn't be disqualified from having a more serious game again in the future.
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii Can't Be Majima's Swan Song
If LAD: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii follows in Kiryu's footsteps, it could be Majima's swan song, and I'm not sure if I'm ready for that.
While Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii's Wacky Nature is Welcome, A Serious Majima Game Shouldn't Be Off the Table
Majima's Yakuza 0 Portrayal Shows the Character Can Be at His Best with a Serious Tone
While fans have become accustomed to Majima's antics over the years due to his portrayal as the Mad Dog of Shimano, he hasn't always carried this persona. Yakuza 0 serves as a prequel to the series wherein Majima is forced to play the role of cabaret club owner as a punishment for his failure during the infamous Ueno Siwa Hit. During this time, Majima takes on his Lord of the Night persona, leaning into the suave club owner and bowing to the whims of club patrons in order to earn enough money to wipe away his debut and rejoin the Tojo Clan.
Despite first portraying Majima as a wacky side character through his Majima Everywhere side quest in the original Yakuza game, the growth his character undergoes during the events of Yakuza 0 shows he has the potential to be far more well-rounded than the one-dimensional over-the-top character the series tends to portray him as. In fact, it's through his efforts to protect Makoto Makimura, rather than assassinate her as he was ordered to do, that Majima grows into a character that many fans find far more interesting than he was previously. His Mad Dog persona largely grew out of a response to feeling caged by his duties at the Grand Cabaret in Sotenbori, and other glimpses of a serious Majima can be seen in flashbacks throughout the series.
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii's Amnesia Plot Would Have Been Perfect for a Serious Majima Game
The Mad Dog persona has started slipping again in the post-Great Dissolution era of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, and an aging Majima working as a fisherman alongside Saejima and Dojima in Hokkaido looks far different from the zany character of the series' past. With Majima waking up on Rich Island with amnesia at the start of Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, it would make sense for his Mad Dog persona to have slipped away even more. Instead, Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii seems to double down on this persona, which while fun for many fans, misses the opportunity to tell another serious Majima story.
Without the knowledge of his past to motivate the Mad Dog, seeing Majima regress into his pre-Yakuza 0 personality would have delivered an interesting take on the character. It's not often that players get to see that version of Majima, so even if Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii does not embrace that side, another prequel game starring Majima should still be on the table in the future.
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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
WHERE TO PLAY
A new legend begins as you step into the steel toe boots of Goro Majima, a man who has lost his memory and reinvents himself as a pirate on the open sea.
Embark on an over-the-top, modern-day pirate adventure with an ex-yakuza, now pirate captain and his crew as they engage in exhilarating combat on land and sea in the hunt for lost memories and a legendary treasure.
PIRATE YAKUZA ADVENTURE AHOY!
Goro Majima, a notorious ex-yakuza suddenly finds himself shipwrecked on a remote island in the Pacific. Unable to remember even his own name, he sets sail in search of clues to his lost memories, accompanied by a boy named Noah who saved his life. Before long, they’re caught up in a conflict between cutthroat criminals, modern-day pirates, and other scoundrels over a legendary treasure.
GET YOUR SHIP TOGETHER
Assemble a one-of-a-kind crew while upgrading your ship as you explore the open sea and forge your legend in the cannon fire of foes, unexpected friendships, and immense riches made along the way.
When an enemy pirate ship catches you in their sights, an exhilarating real-time cannon battle breaks out. Quickly maneuver into position while avoiding fire, then deliver devastating damage to board the enemy ship and take down the captain in all-out crew vs. Crew brawls. Conquer the seas, discover hidden islands and acquire loads of loot like a true yakuza pirate!
KICK ARRRSS WITH CREATIVE COMBAT
Dynamically switch between the “Mad Dog” and “Sea Dog” fighting styles to mix-up attacks and deliver explosive combos, juggles, and aerial takedowns that reward your creativity with over-the-top action.
With “Mad Dog” style, utilize speed, agility, and flair to deliver precise yet powerful blows that stun your enemies into submission. Or make enemies walk the plank with the “Sea Dog” style that has you dual-wielding short swords and deploying tricky pirate tools to kick some serious booty.
- Engine
- Dragon Engine
- Franchise
- Yakuza
- Number of Players
- Single-player
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Unknown
- PC Release Date
- February 21, 2025
- Xbox Series X|S Release Date
- February 21, 2025
- PS5 Release Date
- February 21, 2025
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC
- X|S Optimized
- Yes
