Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii

 PC
Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 29 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 29
  3. Negative: 0 out of 29
  1. MMORPG.com
    Feb 21, 2025
    70
    If you're a fan of the newer, more lighthearted Like A Dragon titles and enjoy quirky pirate adventures, then Pirate Yakuza is worth your time. However, if you’re looking for the grittier crime drama of previous Yakuza titles, you might find Pirate Yakuza is too wacky of a departure for the franchise.
  2. RPG Site
    Feb 18, 2025
    70
    Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza is difficult for me to evaluate. The aspects of the main narrative it chooses to dwell on seems unevenly paced, and strangely misguided at times. Its combat system is slick, especially with all the tools that the brand-new Sea Dog style brings to the table - yet the balance of power feels lopsided in Majima’s favor to the point that enemy AI can’t keep up. A lot of its pirate-oriented systems feel like a jack-of-all-trades; they’re all competent and serviceable, though only provide a surface-level layer of satisfaction. I like a lot of what Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is putting down, but I can’t ignore the numerous significant misfires either.
  3. PC Gamer
    Feb 18, 2025
    70
    Flawed and overfamiliar, but still as joyously OTT and hilarious as ever.
  5. GameSpot
    Feb 18, 2025
    70
    Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is a solid spin-off, putting fan-favorite Goro Majima front and center with a suitably eccentric diversion into buccaneering piracy. The story doesn't pick up until an excellent final chapter, and it's disappointing that the narrative doesn't delve into Majima's complex personality, but this is still a thoroughly entertaining adventure on the high seas. It's quite unlike anything else in the long-running series, and even if it falters more often than usual, it's still essential for anyone who's previously called Kamurocho home.
  6. GRYOnline.pl
    Feb 18, 2025
    70
    There’s quite a lot of things that are not perfect in Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii – a short and unevenly paced story is one of them. Fortunately, there’s so much good stuff that it balances out. Combat, naval battles, absurdly funny side quests and a unique atmosphere of “contemporary piracy” are fun enough to make Like a Dragon fans feel at home.
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  1. Rock, Paper, Shotgun
    Feb 18, 2025
    The villains are better, the combat feels weightier, it looks better. To top it off, it's cheaper. I don't regret spending time with Majima again but, 'free' NG+ or no, if I'd paid full price for this thing I'd feel well and truly hornswoggled.