Hawaii-Set 'Like a Dragon' Game Massively Expands Series

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii Will be Much Larger than Like a Dragon Gaiden

The Yakuza/Like a Dragon series is reportedly more expansive than its predecessor, Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name. Read on to learn more about what RGG Studio shared during RGG SUMMIT 2024.

Pirate Majima Sets Sail in 2025Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii Promises to be More Extensive and Daring

The Yakuza/Like a Dragon series embarks on a nautical journey into even more outlandish territory with Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, and fans should prepare for an adventure that’s not only more expansive but more daring than ever before. During the recent RGG SUMMIT 2024, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio’s president, Masayoshi Yokoyama, stated that the game’s story and world will be approximately 1.3 to 1.5 times larger than Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name.

For those who found The Man Who Erased His Name relatively concise, RGG Studio aims to surpass expectations with Pirate Yakuza. According to Yokoyama, the game isn’t merely a slight expansion of the previous title—it’s a significantly larger adventure.

"We don’t even know the precise area of the city itself," Yokoyama teased in an interview with Famitsu, translated via machine translation. "Of course there’s Honolulu City, which appeared in [Infinite Wealth], and there are various locations, such as Madlantis, so I believe the game's scope is considerably greater than [Like a Dragon Gaiden]."

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii Will be Much Larger than Like a Dragon Gaiden

Beyond this, though, is the sheer scale of the game’s content. Whether it’s the robust combat, which has been a mainstay of the series, or the whimsical side activities and minigames, the game promises to be jam-packed with things to do. Yokoyama himself hinted that the traditional notion of "Gaiden" being a "spin-off" or "side story" is changing. It is "gradually disappearing," Yokoyama explained. In other words, this could be not just a minor side story but rather a comprehensive experience that could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with mainline entries.

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii Will be Much Larger than Like a Dragon Gaiden

Set in and around the Hawaiian islands, the game is said to be a distinct shift in pace, even more than its predecessor. The ever-charismatic Goro Majima, voiced once again by Hidenari Ugaki, is front and center in this maritime adventure. Majima wakes up washed ashore and somehow finds himself becoming a pirate in Hawaii. How so? No one outside of the development team knows yet, but Ugaki himself is enthusiastic yet reticent.

"The game information has finally been revealed, but there are many other components and there is still much information I want to share," Ugaki said. "I have a tendency to be verbose, but I’ve been instructed to remain silent, so I’m not completely content yet."

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii Will be Much Larger than Like a Dragon Gaiden

First Summer Uika, who voices Noah Ritchie, even hinted that Ryuji Akiyama, who plays Masaru Fujita, even has a live-action cameo in the game. As for what could potentially be, Akiyama hinted that "there was one memorable recording scene, and when I went to the restroom, there was an aquarium in front of me with a clownfish in it… Also, there were many attractive women at the recording… It’s not a dating show, but with a scene like that, there’s an excitement that makes you mistakenly think you’re popular."

The "attractive women" could be referring to the "Minato Ward girls," who will not only appear in live-action, but also as CG in the game. In July of this year, the studio held auditions for "Minato Girls" to appear in their next game. According to Ryosuke Horii, "I was pleased that many of the people who auditioned without knowing their specific role had a love for the series and a passion to work with us."

To learn more about what transpired during the auditions, you can check out our article below!