Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza In Hawaii Brings Back Beat ‘Em Up Combat And The Collection’ Best Minigame

Majima followers have been ready years for the Mad Canine of Shimano to make his return as a foremost story character. After his protagonist run in Yakuza 0, the Majima In all places system in Yakuza Kiwami, and the short-lived however very satisfying saga ending in Yakuza Kiwami 2, followers of the beloved character have in all probability spent a piece of their free time screenshotting and recording each body of his appearances within the video games, holding on to the little moments we will have with him.

The years of ready round have lastly come to an finish. Ryu Ga Gotoku (RGG) studio has launched a seven-minute announcement trailer of its latest title Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii the place Majima shines once more, and this time as the only real protagonist. Though RGG has been releasing full-length video games virtually yearly, even longtime followers in all probability weren’t anticipating one other recreation so quickly or predicting Majima to return as a protagonist and a pirate. Plus, Yakuza’s beat-’em-up fight and the collection’ finest minigame each return–this is shaping as much as be an excellent recreation!

As we noticed within the trailer launched final weekend, the sport takes place six months after the occasions in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth. Majima wakes up on a seashore with no reminiscence of how he bought there and even his title. He’s approached by a younger boy, Noah (and his pet “cat” that’s positively a tiger) who tells him they’re on an island close to Hawaii known as “Wealthy Island,” earlier than the duo are rapidly confronted by pirates. Majima then meets Noah’s dad, Jason, and learns about Nele Island–a dumping floor for waste and air pollution that Majima and the yakuza are in some way concerned in.

To get better his reminiscence and remedy the Nele Island downside, Majima should journey between the completely different islands of Hawaii in addition to a brand new space known as Madlantis–a hideout for gang members and prison organizations run by a brand new character, Queen Michelle. He then, in true Majima vogue, takes over a pirate ship as the brand new captain and units sail to resolve the mysteries of those dilemmas.

It would not be a real RGG title with out an absurd premise, and what may very well be extra absurd than Majima waking up on an island with reminiscence loss and instantly turning into a pirate? Majima has had a lifetime of strange jobs: from Cabaret proprietor to building supervisor to harassing Kiryu below completely different disguises, so it solely is sensible one other weird occupation would come alongside ultimately. He is already bought the attention patch, so why not conquer the ocean as properly?

Following the trailer launch and the story reveal, I had a lot of questions relating to the gameplay with a playable Majima once more. Fortunately I bought the chance to play a short demo.

It appeared just like the turn-based fight model would develop into the norm for Like a Dragon video games, however Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii brings again the Yakuza collection’ unique beat-’em-up roots, together with the enduring Warmth strikes. This model of fight feels extra pure for Majima, whose outrageous character may need been stilted in turn-based fight. In the demo, we’re launched to 2 of Majima’s combating types: his signature Mad Canine combating model and the brand new, Pirate “Sea Canine” model.

Majima could also be 60 years outdated now, however that does not cease him from dancing round his enemies as if he was on the streets of Kansai once more. The fight is simply as over-the-top and wild as gamers would count on, with an added function to make use of leap assaults in battle. The Mad Canine model is a modernized model that appears like a dream mixture of his types from Yakuza 0, utilizing each his fists and tanto as weapons. There’s additionally a brand new capacity that enables Majima to “clone” himself to create doppelgangers, that are helpful for taking down massive teams of enemies.

The new Sea Canine model is in some way sillier than his signature model. By seamlessly switching to this stance, Majima transforms right into a pirate, which mirrors how the characters within the earlier Like a Dragon video games remodel into their “jobs” throughout battle. Majima is supplied with two cutlasses, a flintlock pistol, and a wire hook as weapons, and may simply change between them for enjoyable combos. I can solely think about how ridiculous the Warmth strikes will probably be on this model and I am trying ahead to exploring it extra.

RGG video games are well-known for his or her abundance of facet content material and minigames to get pleasure from outdoors of fight, so, in fact, the very first thing I did after the battle demo was head straight to the karaoke bar. There have been only some songs on the playlist–there are brand-new songs like “The Solar at 36.5 C,” and some returning songs from earlier video games equivalent to “As Lengthy as You are Completely happy.” I am positive extra songs will probably be added later, however Majima followers will probably be blissful to know that Yakuza Pirate brings again the gang favourite “24 Hour Cinderella” with the identical glowing, rollerblading goofball serenading us. This time, nevertheless, we see him rocking the outfit as a 60-year-old man. I can truthfully say that introduced a tear to my eye.

Like a Dragon: Yakuza Pirate additionally brings again considered one of my favourite minigames within the collection: Dragon Kart. I solely bought to discover one racetrack, however it was actually enjoyable to race round Hawaii with new characters and expertise among the new gadgets featured within the recreation. It felt slightly janky and intense in some turns, so hopefully will probably be extra polished earlier than the sport’s official launch.

I additionally bought to briefly discover Madlantis. Just like the key cities of earlier titles, the streets of Madlantis are stuffed with neon lights and unlawful playing. I used to be impressed by the design of the faux metropolis; the added shipwreck and pirate themes to the realm made it really feel like a fantasy land for organized crime.

Certainly one of my favourite new additions was the grappling hook, which I may use across the metropolis. In sure areas of the map, Majima can grapple himself onto larger platforms to gather treasure and uncover new heights. I beloved utilizing the spider seize in Like a Dragon Gaiden so it is fairly cool to see this mechanic up to date. It additionally gives entry to new areas to discover within the acquainted Hawaii map.

Though my preview was short-lived, I bought to expertise a variety of thrilling new options and I adored taking part in Majima once more. Although the sport is model new, it felt nostalgic operating across the streets because the Mad Canine and I am positive old-school followers of Majima will really feel the identical.

I did not get to discover the story a lot so I will save my evaluation on that for now, however it’s been years since we have witnessed a extra critical facet of Majima and so I do have some needs. I might like to see extra comfortable moments with the character once more. I actually hope there will probably be some references to the facet tales in Yakuza 0 and probably some reunions with characters from earlier Yakuza video games. Perhaps there will probably be some heartfelt moments with Kiryu too, or maybe a run-in with a sure character that longtime followers know now resides abroad.

Whether or not the story will lastly conclude the Mad Canine’s saga or not, followers will probably be impressed with the brand new options Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii has to supply, which additionally lastly scratches that itch for extra Majima. The fight feels effortlessly enjoyable, there appears to be a plethora of facet content material to discover, and, better of all, we will lastly see the outdated Mad Canine shine as soon as once more.