Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii: A Blend of Serious Drama and Hilarious Mayhem
RGG Studio promises a unique mix of intense drama and comedic chaos in their upcoming title, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. This latest installment will push the boundaries of reality while delivering a compelling "manly drama," according to the developers.
A Serious Side to Majima
While the Like a Dragon series is renowned for its humor, particularly Majima's comedic antics, director Masayoshi Yokoyama reveals a "more serious" side to Majima in this iteration, especially at the story's outset.
Producer Ryosuke Horii elaborates, emphasizing the "manly drama" at the game's core. He highlights Majima's passionate pursuit of his goals and the bonds he forms throughout his over-the-top adventure. "The goofing off isn't the main point – there's a manly drama at the center of things. Of course, there are some crazy parts, but overall, it's a straightforward tale about a passionate man."
Horii further explains the unique qualities Majima brings that differentiate him from series protagonist Kazuma Kiryu. He states that leveraging these unique traits was crucial to Majima's role as the main character. This led to a more reality-bending narrative compared to Kiryu's stories, aiming for diverse and engaging action. "I wanted to strike a good balance between the pirate-ness, Majima-ness, and 'Ryu ga Gotoku'-ness, so I think that was a difficult part."
The developers aimed for a compelling balance between realism and extravagance, avoiding a mundane experience. Their commitment to a "wilder" gameplay style while maintaining a serious and impactful narrative is evident.
Majima's Maji Festival
To celebrate the game's launch, RGG Studio is hosting Majima's Maji Festival across six Japanese cities. The tour, which started December 1st, 2024 in Sapporo, concludes with events in Nagoya (January 18th) and Tokyo (January 25th).
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, starring the infamous "Mad Dog of Shimano," Goro Majima, promises an unforgettable modern-day pirate adventure with thrilling combat, naval battles, a vibrant cast, and a captivating story.
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii launches on February 21st for PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One.