Naval Combat in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii Explained

Mastering Naval Combat in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii introduces exhilarating naval combat, a significant departure for the Yakuza series. This guide details the mechanics of ship-to-ship battles, crucial for success in the game.

Early game sees players commanding the Goromaru, equipped with two cannons (port and starboard) and a forward-mounted turret. Open waters frequently present random enemy encounters; engaging or fleeing is the player's choice. However, the Goromaru's slower speed makes escape risky, particularly against ships with ranged attacks. Direct confrontation is generally recommended.

Three primary attack types exist:

• Turret Gun Attacks: The turret is ideal for mid-range engagements, dealing damage while closing the distance for cannon fire. Players can manually control the turret, but this increases risk.
• Left and Right Cannons: These are the Goromaru's most powerful weapons (activated by L2/R2), effective only at close range (indicated by illuminated cannon icons). Each cannon requires a reload period, necessitating strategic ship maneuvering.
• RPG Missile: Shifting to the ship's deck allows free movement of Goro and RPG deployment for long-range attacks. This is best employed at a safe distance, as ship movement ceases during the perspective shift. It's often advantageous to weaken enemy ships before close-range combat.

Ship control utilizes the left stick for movement, and a boost function for speed increases. Boosting while drifting (O/B button) allows for rapid ship rotation, useful for evading cannon fire or repositioning for optimal cannon usage.

Many naval battles, especially boss encounters and Pirate Coliseum challenges, are two-phased. The first phase involves destroying the main enemy ship (with higher health than supporting vessels). Focusing fire on the main ship expedites progression to the second phase.

Once the main ship's health is depleted, a boarding party sequence initiates, transitioning to the familiar Yakuza beat-'em-up style. These encounters often involve numerical disadvantages, highlighting the importance of crew member leveling and morale boosting. Support crew assignments provide stat boosts (damage/defense), influencing battle difficulty. The goal is to eliminate the opposing crew before your party is defeated.

Mastering two-phased naval battles is key for story progression and Pirate Coliseum success. Frequent ship encounters during exploration underscore the importance of understanding these mechanics. The innovative naval combat adds a refreshing dimension to the Yakuza formula, offering a compelling alternative to other pirate-themed games. With strategic crew management, upgrades, and customization, the Goromaru can become a formidable force on the seas.

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.