Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii will blend serious drama with the series' signature comedic flair, according to developer RGG Studio. Discover what awaits in this exciting new adventure!
Featuring a "Serious" Majima
But There’s Still Plenty of Goofing Off
The latest Like a Dragon game pushes the boundaries of reality while delivering a compelling "manly drama," RGG Studio revealed in an interview with Automaton Media. While the series is known for its humor—with Majima often cited as one of the funniest characters—director Masayoshi Yokoyama notes that this iteration will feature a more serious Majima, particularly at the story's outset.
Producer Ryosuke Horii elaborates, highlighting the "manly drama" at the game's core, showcasing Majima's passionate pursuit of his goals and the bonds he forges along the way. "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 emphasizes Majima's unique qualities, distinct from long-time 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 predictability. The team's motivation was to create wilder gameplay while maintaining a serious and impactful narrative.
Majima's Maji Festival in Japan
To celebrate the game's launch, 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 a unique blend of action-packed combat, thrilling naval battles, memorable characters, and a captivating story. Prepare for an unforgettable modern-day pirate adventure!
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii launches on February 21st for PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One.
