Prepare for a Yakuza adventure unlike any other! Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii promises to be significantly larger and more ambitious than its predecessor, Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name. Discover the details revealed at RGG SUMMIT 2024.

Majima's Pirate Adventure Sets Sail in 2025

A Bigger, Bolder Hawaiian Heist

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is set to deliver a truly epic experience. RGG Studio president Masayoshi Yokoyama announced at RGG SUMMIT 2024 that the game's world and story will be a massive 1.3 to 1.5 times larger than Like a Dragon Gaiden.

For those who found Gaiden relatively concise, Pirate Yakuza will redefine expectations. This isn't a simple expansion; it's a completely new scale of adventure.

"We don't even know the exact area of the city itself," Yokoyama revealed in a Famitsu interview (machine translation). "Of course, there's Honolulu City, seen in Infinite Wealth, and various stages like Madlantis, making it far larger than Like a Dragon Gaiden."

The game's scope extends far beyond its size. Expect a packed roster of activities, from the series' signature brawling combat to a plethora of quirky side quests and minigames. Yokoyama hinted at a shift in the "Gaiden" concept, suggesting it's evolving beyond a simple spin-off or side story, becoming a fully-fledged experience comparable to mainline entries.

Set in and around the Hawaiian islands, the game offers a significant departure from previous titles. The charismatic Goro Majima, voiced again by Hidenari Ugaki, takes center stage in this unexpected piratical journey. Majima's arrival in Hawaii and subsequent pirate transformation remain a mystery, though Ugaki, while excited, remains tight-lipped.

"The game's information is out, but so many elements and details remain to be shared," Ugaki commented. "I'm usually quite talkative, but I've been instructed not to reveal anything, so I'm a little frustrated!"

Intriguing hints were also dropped by First Summer Uika (Noah Ritchie's voice actor) and Ryuji Akiyama (Masaru Fujita's actor). Akiyama even teased a live-action scene, mentioning an unexpected aquarium encounter during recording and a surprising number of "beautiful women." These "beautiful women" may be the "Minato Ward girls," featured in both live-action and CG form, following auditions held earlier this year. Ryosuke Horii commented on the enthusiastic participation of the auditionees, many of whom were passionate fans of the series.

For more on the auditions, check out our related article!