Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio (RGG Studio), the masterminds behind the Like a Dragon franchise, have revealed exciting details about their latest spin-off, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. The upcoming title, featuring fan-favorite character Goro Majima, will be significantly larger than last year’s Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name, and promises players a thrilling new adventure with fresh environments to explore.

Expanding the Like a Dragon Universe

In recent years, RGG Studio has been experimenting with smaller spin-off titles between their main Like a Dragon entries. 2023 saw the release of Like a Dragon Gaiden, which brought series icon Kazuma Kiryu back into action while connecting the narrative from Yakuza 6 to his reappearance in Yakuza: Like a Dragon and the upcoming Infinite Wealth. These side stories have allowed players to explore the broader Yakuza universe, offering additional context to the mainline games.

Now, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii takes this concept a step further. Set one year after the events of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, the game introduces Goro Majima’s unexpected journey through Honolulu and beyond, giving players a swashbuckling experience unlike any in the series to date.

A Bigger World to Explore

In a cast interview during RGG Summit 2024, Studio Director Masayoshi Yokoyama confirmed that Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii will be about 1.5 times larger than Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name. While Gaiden’s explorable areas were relatively modest, with Sotenbori and the unique “Castle” party town, Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii promises a more expansive world. Yokoyama specifically highlighted Honolulu City, which players may recognize from Infinite Wealth, along with a new area called Mad Lantis—an exotic and intriguing locale for Majima’s adventure.

Yokoyama mentioned that these “Gaiden” spin-off games are gradually growing larger in scope than originally intended. While Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii won’t match the scale of mainline titles like Infinite Wealth, which spans massive areas like Honolulu, Ijincho, and Kamurocho, the upcoming game still presents an exciting, robust world for players to dive into.

Game Size and Content

Though Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii will offer a bigger world than Gaiden, it’s important to note that Yokoyama’s comments about the game being “larger” refer specifically to the physical size of the environments, not necessarily the length of the game itself. Gaiden’s relatively small-scale areas didn’t make it a lengthy title, and this new pirate-themed spin-off could follow a similar structure. Fans should expect a highly detailed, immersive experience, but not necessarily one that mirrors the vast, lengthy mainline games like Yakuza: Like a Dragon or Infinite Wealth.

What to Expect in Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii

With Goro Majima taking center stage, players are eager to see how his character’s unique personality and chaotic fighting style will be translated into the pirate setting. The game is expected to blend the series’ iconic mix of intense combat, quirky side stories, and deep character development. Honolulu and Mad Lantis provide intriguing new environments that will no doubt be filled with plenty of challenges, mysteries, and side activities for players to explore.

The rapid growth of RGG Studio’s spin-off titles has fans excited for what’s next, as even their smaller games, like Gaiden, have continued to push boundaries. With Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii set to release on February 28, 2025, players won’t have to wait long to set sail on Majima’s solo pirate adventure.

Final Thoughts

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is shaping up to be a unique and highly anticipated entry in the franchise. With promises of a larger world and the return of beloved character Goro Majima, the game is sure to offer fans a fresh perspective on the Like a Dragon universe. As RGG Studio continues to expand their ambitious spin-off projects, the franchise’s future looks more exciting than ever.

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii will be available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC on February 28, 2025.

Also Read: