Summary
There are plenty of things to like aboutLike a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, but nothing stands out quite like its emphasis on naval exploration and combat on board Majima’s ship, the Goromaru. Much like they can inAssassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag, players can sail the sea inLike a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaiiaboard the Goromaru, which Majima acquires early on in the story. However, while the gameplay benefits of doing so are clear — likeexploring uncharted islands for treasureand engaging in action-packed combat with other ships — the Goromaru serves as a reflection of Majima’s character arc more than anything else.
The highlight ofLike a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii’s story is the evolution of fan-favorite character Goro Majima as his amnesia opens the door for an unprecedented look at his character. Previously, Majima had been portrayed as a chaotic, brutal, and unpredictable individual, butLike a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaiieffectively wipes his notorious slate clean using the classic amnesia trope. From the moment he washes up on a beach on Rich Island, his character arc is developed in such a way that is parallel to the development of the Goromaru, and his new role as captain of the ship even reflects his newfound freedom to control his destiny.
Majima’s Connection to the Goromaru in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii Says a Lot About His Transformation
Both Majima and the Goromaru Are Broken and Aged But Have Heart
There’s quite the symbolic connection between Goro Majima and the Goromaru inLike a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, most notably in the way both of them transform throughout the game. Majima washes up on the shores ofRich Islandthis broken version of himself, 60 years old and having completely forgotten who he was. The Goromaru, as they point out later in the game, is in a similar state when Majima acquires it, and a big part of gameplay progression is restoring it. This is a significant element of the game’s narrative involving Majima as well, which is all about him restoring his lost memory.
Previously, Majima had been portrayed as a chaotic, brutal, and unpredictable individual, butLike a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaiieffectively wipes his notorious slate clean using the classic amnesia trope.
However, something Clark says to Majima in Chapter 2 ofLike a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii’s story is that, even though the Goromaru is in terrible condition, what really matters is whether the ship has a “heart,” which he then confirms to be the case. In the same way,Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii’s story reveals thatGoro Majimadoes, in fact, have a heart, despite being old and having a checkered past. Much of this is made evident in his relationship with Noah, especially, who pushes him to be a better man in many ways than he has been in the past.
Majima’s Role as the Captain of the Goromaru Is Symbolic of His Freedom to Shape His Future
Upon acquiring the Goromaru inLike a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, Majima simultaneously becomes its captain, as the ship’s crew is fed up with the way their previous captain treated them. While Majima being the captain of the Goromaru does come with gameplay perks, it also serves as a parallel with his new role in his own journey. As the captain of the Goromaru, Majima can use it to go wherever he wants to go. In the same way, thanks toLike a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii’s amnesia trope, Majima is now in charge of his own destiny and who he becomes, since the affiliations and biases from his past are now both behind him and forgotten.
By making the Goromaru central to itsgameplay and narrative,Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaiireinforces its focus on the reinvention of Majima’s character. Majima’s journey, which was once defined by chaos and unpredictability, takes on a new layer as his amnesia forces him into unfamiliar territory. Just as the Goromaru must be restored, Majima is in the process of rebuilding himself, and the game effectively draws that parallel. Furthermore, while Majima has often been portrayed as a heartless villain,Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaiiproves that, like the Goromaru, he does indeed have a heart.
