Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii Will be Much Larger than Like a Dragon Gaiden
Prepare for a swashbuckling adventure unlike any other! The upcoming Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii promises a significantly larger and more ambitious experience than its predecessor, Like a Dragon Gaiden. Discover the exciting details revealed at RGG SUMMIT 2024.
Majima's Pirate Adventure Sets Sail in 2025
A Bigger, Bolder Yakuza Experience Awaits
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is set to be a massive leap forward for the series. RGG Studio president Masayoshi Yokoyama confirmed the game's scope will be 1.3 to 1.5 times larger than Like a Dragon Gaiden, exceeding expectations for a spin-off. This isn't just a minor expansion; it's a completely new scale of adventure.
Yokoyama hinted at the game's vastness 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 content is equally expansive, promising a wealth of activities beyond the signature brawling combat. Expect a jam-packed experience with quirky side activities and mini-games. Yokoyama suggested the traditional "Gaiden" label as a smaller side story is evolving, stating it's "gradually disappearing from us," indicating this title will rival mainline entries.
Set in 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 unexpected transformation remains shrouded in mystery, leaving fans eager to unravel the story. Ugaki himself expressed excitement while remaining tight-lipped about the details.
"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 have a tendency to talk a lot about various things, but I’ve been told not to say anything, so I’m not completely satisfied yet."
Voice actor First Summer Uika (Noah Ritchie) even teased a live-action scene featuring Ryuji Akiyama (Masaru Fujita), adding another layer of intrigue. Akiyama offered a cryptic hint: "there was one interesting recording scene, and when I went to the toilet to relieve myself, there was an aquarium in front of me with a clownfish in it… Also, there were really a lot of beautiful women at the recording… It’s not a love reality show, but with a scene like that, there’s an excitement that makes you mistakenly think you’re popular."
This mention of "beautiful women" may refer to the "Minato Ward girls," who will appear in both live-action and CG form. The studio's July auditions for these roles attracted passionate fans of the series. Ryosuke Horii commented, "I was glad that many of the people who appeared without knowing what kind of role they would play had a love for the series and a passion to work with us."
