Summary
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaiiintroduces a vast number of new elements to the longstanding series, but one of the most significant evolutions can be witnessed in its combat. WhileLike a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaiimaintains the fundamental principles of the series' combat, it also builds on that foundation with new features and fresh mechanics — like its increased emphasis on aerial combat. One change made toLike a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii’s combat, in particular, is something the series has entertained before but never fully leaned into: large-scale battles that only Majima’s new Sea Dog combat style can hope to compete with.
TheLike a Dragon/Yakuzaseries has incorporated elements of large-scale battles into past entries, but never to the level thatLike a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaiidoes. As players explore the game’s world, they will frequently encounter absurdly large groups of enemies that are reminiscent of those found inWarriors-style games likeHyrule WarriorsandDynasty Warriors. As such, perhaps more than ever,Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaiimakes a strong case for aLike a Dragon: Warriorsspin-off, especially in light of the fact that the series already has all the right elements for one.
Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii Makes a Strong Case for a Like a Dragon: Warriors Spin-Off
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii’s Large-Scale Battles Are Reminiscent of ‘Warriors’ Games
Warriorsgames likeDynasty WarriorsandHyrule Warriorsare known for their chaotic, large-scale battles in which players often engage in combat as a sole protagonist, fending off massive hordes of enemies at once. The battlefields in these games are typically filled with waves of weak enemy soldiers that can be defeated fairly easily using wide-range and fast-paced attacks, and progression often looks like players capturing enemy bases, defeating enemy leaders, and completing specific objectives, all while mowing down each wave of enemies along the way.
TheLike a Dragon/Yakuzaseries has incorporated elements of large-scale battles into past entries, but never to the level thatLike a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaiidoes.
WhileLike a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaiidoesn’t quite take its combat to the same chaotic heights as aWarriorsgame, it does show promise in that area by frequently pittingGoro Majimaagainst large groups of enemies that only his new Sea Dog fighting style is capable of defeating. With Majima’s Sea Dog style, players can execute rapid attacks that can also affect multiple enemies at once, making it perfect for those large-scale battles. Ultimately, this simulates a traditionalWarriorsexperience and effectively shines a light on theLike a Dragon/Yakuzaseries' potential to make a truly engaging game in the genre.
The Like a Dragon Series Has All the Right Pieces for a ‘Warriors’ Spin-Off
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaiimay have large-scale battles that are reminiscent of aWarriorsgame, but that’s not all it takes to be one.Warriorsgames generally have a host of diverse playable characters for players to choose from, as the gameplay loop would likely be too repetitive if there were only one or a few characters available. Coincidentally, theLike a Dragon/Yakuzaseries has featured a diverse array of characters that would be the perfect fit for aWarriorsspin-off — from Kiryu to Majima, Saejima, Zhao, and even moreeccentric characters like Akiyamaand Nanba.
EachLike a Dragon/Yakuzacharacter in aWarriorsspin-off could have unique weapon styles and signature moves akin to games likeSamurai WarriorsorOne Piece: Pirate Warriors.
TheLike a Dragon/Yakuzaseriesalso emphasizes faction-based storytelling, which would be perfect for aLike a Dragon: Warriorsspin-off. A game focusing on the turf wars between the Tojo Clan, Omi Alliance, and other factions would fit the large-scale battle structure of aWarriorsgame. This would also potentially allow players to experience the game from multiple perspectives, thereby adding to its variety and increasing its replay value.
WhileLike a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaiistops short of fully embracing theWarriorsformula, it can’t be denied how much it highlights the series' potential to produce one. The large-scale battles ofLike a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaiiand the Sea Dog combat stylesuggest that the franchise is more than capable of pulling off the fast-paced, chaotic combat that definesWarriorsgames. With its diverse roster of playable characters, faction-based storytelling, and a history of over-the-top action,Like a Dragon/Yakuzaalready has all the right ingredients for a greatWarriorsspin-off.
