Though he first mistakes the pirates on Rich Island for a bunch of cosplayers, Goro Majima quickly becomes entangled in the pirate life himself. The conceit is at the very foundation ofLike a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii’s story, buttressing its gameplay in a way that consistently centers on what it means to be a pirate. Freedom on the open seas, searching for treasure, and engaging in cannon fights are just some aspects of the role, but what is most accentuated is community; no pirate can steer a ship without his crew, and as Majima quickly gains members who support his cause inPirate Yakuza in Hawaii, the stark contrast between his role and Kiryu’s inLAD Gaidenbecomes clear.
Players need not look pastLike a Dragon Gaiden’s opening to see how lonely Kiryu is. He, like Majima, is separated from his past, but instead of his divide being a lapse in memory, it is a physical one. His life in the Daidoji is one that keeps him from his loved ones, and as much as he attempts to endure this fact, his isolation inevitably whittles away at him. That is why having him as a secret agent is more than just a clever gimmick that ties into the game’s gadgetry-centered combat; the life of a spy is a life lived alone, and the role is thematically resonant withKiryu’s narrative.
How Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii Centers on the Community of Being a Pirate
The Man Whose Memories Were Erased
Off the bat,Pirate Yakuzashows that Majima is, in contrast to Kiryu, not alone. As Noah extends compassion by offering him some water, he returns that compassion in equal measure, defending him from Keith and his crew through a barrage of aerial combos, dagger slices, and counters. Alongside little tiger cub Goro, Majima quickly finds himself ingratiated inRich Island’s community, and though his appearance isn’t without scrutiny at first, he is able to find allies in Masaru and Jason, showing his prowess at building a community. This is, naturally, a byproduct of his charisma and fighting abilities, as the Mad Dog is as quick with his dagger as he is with his words, setting him up as the perfect pirate captain.
Though the endearing dynamic betweenMajima and Noahis most central toPirate Yakuza, the game reminds players of others who look up to the ex-Yakuza legend, both in his present and his forgotten past. When word of Majima returning to Nele Island reaches the crew, Saejima drops everything to follow; when Majima is rejoined with members of his ex-Tojo faction, including the karaoke king Minami and bomb-diffusing Nishida, their disappointment at his lack of memory is apparent. Even with those he cannot recall, Majima is not without community, a feat that ties in perfectly to his role as a pirate captain.
The Man Who Erased His Name
Like a Dragon Gaidenis, by contrast, built on its sense of isolation. Though Kiryu finds an ally in Akame and Hanawa (the latter’s relationship being somewhat dubious), the creeping feeling of his loneliness is felt not just by his character, but by the player, too. While not exactly great at keeping his identity a secret, Kiryu leans into the secret agent role all the same, a job born out of necessity rather than desire. It is through this secret agent lens thatGaidenprops up its emotional beats, as the role requires Kiryu to remain taciturn in his interactions with others.
At first blush, it might seem like the secret agent and pirate conceits are simply vehicles for compelling combat, the former letting Kiryu glide around with rocket-powered shoes chucking cigarette bombs at enemies, while the latter seesMajima slashing at enemies with dual cutlassesand firing cannons out on the open seas. In truth, the roles wind up going far beyond their gimmicks, serving to mirror the characters' personalities and circumstances, as well as the divides between their pasts and their presents.
