Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza Will Take Comedic Manliness to Another Level

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii promises a thrilling blend of serious drama and over-the-top comedic action, according to developer RGG Studio. Get ready for a wild ride!

A "Serious" Majima? But There'll Still Be Goofing Off

The latest Like a Dragon game pushes the boundaries of reality, delivering a "manly drama" storyline, RGG Studio revealed in an interview with Automaton Media. While the series is renowned for its humor—with Majima often cited as one of the funniest characters—director Masayoshi Yokoyama hints at a "more serious" Majima, particularly at the story's outset.

Producer Ryosuke Horii elaborates, emphasizing the core "manly drama" driving the narrative. He highlights Majima's passionate pursuit of his goals and the bonds he forges throughout his extravagant journey. "The goofing off isn’t the main point – there’s a manly drama at the center of things. Of course, there are some crazy parts to take detours to, but overall, I think it’s a straightforward tale about a passionate man."

Horii further explains Majima's unique qualities, differentiating him from series protagonist Kazuma Kiryu. "So, if we didn’t take proper advantage of that, there would be no point in having Majima as the main character. That’s why we blurred the lines of reality a little more than we would with Kiryu, hoping to offer players rich action that’s full of variety. … I wanted to strike a good balance between the pirate-ness, Majima-ness, and ‘Ryu ga Gotoku’-ness, so I think that was a difficult part."

The game aims for a perfect balance of realism and extravagance, avoiding a predictable storyline. The team's motivation was to create wilder gameplay while maintaining a serious and compelling narrative.

Majima's Maji Festival in Japan

To celebrate the upcoming release, RGG Studio is hosting Majima's Maji Festival across six Japanese cities. The tour, which began in Sapporo on December 1st, 2024, concludes with events in Nagoya (January 18th) and Tokyo (January 25th).

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, starring the iconic "Mad Dog of Shimano," Goro Majima, promises an unforgettable modern-day pirate adventure. Expect thrilling action combat, exhilarating naval battles, a vibrant cast of characters, and a captivating story.

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii launches on February 21st for PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One.