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

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii charts a thrilling new course for the Yakuza series, introducing exhilarating naval combat. Mastering this unique fighting system is key to success, and with its multifaceted ship controls, understanding its mechanics is crucial. This guide breaks down how naval combat works.

Early in the game, you're given the Goromaru, a small pirate ship initially equipped with two cannons (port and starboard) and a forward-mounted machine gun turret. While sailing, random enemy encounters are frequent. You can choose to fight or flee, but escape is risky due to the ship's slower speed and the ranged attacks of stronger vessels later in the game. Facing enemies head-on is generally the best strategy.

Naval combat utilizes three main attack types:

• Turret Gun Attacks: The front-mounted turret is ideal for mid-range engagements, dealing damage as you close the distance for cannon fire. You can even manually control the turret, though this is riskier.
• Left and Right Cannons: These are your most powerful weapons, activated using L2/R2 (depending on your platform) to fire from either side. Effective only at close range (indicated by a lit-up cannon icon), they require a reload time after each shot. Strategic maneuvering is key to maximizing their use.
• RPG Missile: Shifting to a deck view allows you to control Goro and equip an RPG for long-range attacks. This is often advantageous for initiating combat, weakening enemies before closing in.

Pirate Ship Maneuvering

From the wider ship perspective, use the left stick to steer the Goromaru. A boost function temporarily increases speed, useful for closing the distance or performing drifts (by pressing O/B simultaneously with the boost) to evade cannon fire or reposition for optimal cannon attacks.

Boarding Parties

Many naval battles, particularly boss fights and Pirate Coliseum encounters, are two-phased. The first phase involves destroying the main enemy ship (which has more health than smaller accompanying vessels). Focusing fire on the boss ship is crucial for progressing to the second phase.

Once the boss ship's health is depleted, a prompt appears to initiate the boarding party, transitioning to a familiar Yakuza-style beat-'em-up. You'll likely be outnumbered, facing numerous crew members and a boss character. Leveling up your crew, boosting morale, and engaging in smaller fights beforehand is essential for success in these boarding actions.

Enemy captains possess stat-boosting abilities (damage or defense), increasing the difficulty. You can assign your own support crew to provide counter-boosts. The goal is to defeat the enemy crew before your own is eliminated. Mastering these two-phased battles is vital for progressing through the game's later stages and exploring the islands for treasure.

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii's innovative naval combat adds a refreshing dimension to the series, offering a compelling alternative to traditional Yakuza gameplay. With strategic ship upgrades and crew management, the Goromaru can become an unstoppable force on the high seas.

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