Yakuza Franchise Expands with Vast Open World in 'Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii'

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

Majima's Pirate Voyage Sets Sail in 2025

A Bigger, Bolder Hawaiian Pirate Adventure

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is set to be a truly expansive adventure. RGG Studio President Masayoshi Yokoyama announced at RGG SUMMIT 2024 that the game's world and story will be approximately 1.3 to 1.5 times larger than Like a Dragon Gaiden. This isn't a simple expansion; it's a massive leap in scale.

Yokoyama hinted at the game's immense size in an interview with Famitsu: "We don’t even know the exact area of the city itself," he teased. "Of course there’s Honolulu City, which appeared in [Infinite Wealth], and there are various stages, such as Madlantis, so I think the game volume is much larger than [Like a Dragon Gaiden]."

The game's scope extends beyond sheer size. Expect a wealth of content, from the series' signature brawling combat to a plethora of quirky side activities and mini-games. Yokoyama suggested the traditional "Gaiden" label as a smaller spin-off is evolving, stating it's "gradually disappearing from us." This suggests a full-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 pirate adventure. Majima's arrival in Hawaii and his transformation into a pirate remain shrouded in mystery, even to Ugaki himself: "The information about the game has finally been announced, but there are many other elements and there is still a lot of information I want to tell you," Ugaki shared, "I’ve been told not to say anything, so I’m not completely satisfied yet."

Further intrigue comes from voice actor First Summer Uika (Noah Ritchie), who teased a live-action scene featuring Ryuji Akiyama (Masaru Fujita). Akiyama added to the mystery, recounting a memorable recording experience involving an aquarium and "a lot 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 auditions, noting the enthusiasm of participants.

To learn more about the auditions, check out our related article!