In a series that has been praised for its realistic graphics and attention to detail, enough to cause a frenzy over a scene of Ichiban breaking a piece of bread inLAD7, it was a given thatLike a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaiiwould lean similarly into its cinematic flair. Thedynamic nature ofPirate Yakuzaand its predecessors has long emphasized style in accordance with player input, weaving its way into battle choreography and its music themes, giving even its title menus impact. With Majima in the fray and real-time combat back to boot, the spotlight on these dynamic transitions is as delightful as ever, going so far as to be woven directly into its storytelling.
Amnesiac or not, Goro Majima’s fighting moves are a second sense, andLike a Dragon:Pirate Yakuza in Hawaiispares no time in showing his skills. Soon after washing up on the shores of Rich Island, he’s defending Noah against the pirates that inhabit the land, doing aerial combos and Heat Actions that have him catching an enemy’s sword between his teeth and sending it flying back at them. As the Mad Dog with no memory but the Mad Dog all the same, Majima must work to restore what he’s lost, but he’s also content with having fun as a pirate, keeping his promise to Noah of showing him the world on the open seas. This is relayed both as the events unfold, and also as Majima recounts the tale, adding another layer to the game’s scene transitions.
How Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii Continues the Series' Dynamic Storytelling
“Alright, Let’s Set Things Straight”
As Majima sits on a throne with a spotlight on him, he speaks to the player about his journey, moving back and forth between his present-day monologue and the events six months prior. It is soon revealed that he isn’t just speaking to the player, though; after a full musical number between him and his newfound pirate’s crew,Pirate Yakuzareturns to Majimaon his throne as he requests fifteen minutes from filming, urging both the player and the in-game audience to get in a bathroom break while they can. It’s a clever set-up that works to the benefit of the game’s chapter transitions, complete with “previously on…” sections that add a meta layer to the way his tale is told, considering the cinematic nature of how players move through the story.
Pirate Yakuza’s Dynamic Menu
Of course,Pirate Yakuzaisn’t content with just that; its main menu, beyond the incredible music theme that drops its beat as players press x to start, oscillates with player progression; what begins as just Majima sitting on the throne evolves to show him,Noah, Masaru, and Jason all togetheras his crew forms. The way in which they end up joining his cause, however, takes time throughout the game’s first chapter, which leads into its dynamic fight intros and transitions. As fans will know, most major fights in theLike a Dragonseries are a build-up, complete with enemy title cards and phenomenal choreography that leads players into the battle, often including mid-fight transitions that occur when bosses are low enough on health.Pirate Yakuzashows this through both Masaru and Jason, giving a sense of their characters.
Dynamic Battle Intros, Transitions
UnlikeLAD Gaidenwhere QTEs were largely absent in its dynamic mid-battle cutscenes,Pirate Yakuzabrings them back, working more closely to their sense of tension. The fight against Masaru, for example, has Majima just barely dodging an attack from his cleaver by sneezing and then rolling out of the way, having been hit with a vial of black pepper from the cook. In the following fight against Jack the Collector, whoMajima usurps as the ship’s captain, a successful QTE prompt has him deflect the pirate’s bullet with the blade of his dagger after showing off the sheer speed of his fighting style. The cutscenes are testament to how well RGG Studio crafts its fight choreography while demonstrating its characters' attributes, putting emphasis on both their weaponry and means of defense, like Jason’s wrist cuff that he uses to block against attacks.
The same goes forPirate Yakuza’s Heat Actions, which are as brutal as ever. Because characters like Masaru can fight alongside Majima, the return of dual Heat Actions makes for even more combat flair, working as a way to showcase their synergy together while tying into the game’s humor. Heat Actions are just one part ofPirate Yakuza’s moveset, though, and the same flashiness that is afforded to the game’s dynamic cutscenes is evident in its playable combat as well. Like its past,Pirate Yakuzaknows how to blend its style with substance, and having its dynamic approach consider both its characters and the player continues to be worthy of praise.
