"Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza Demo Launches in Hawaii Today"

Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio has exciting news for fans of the Like a Dragon series: a free demo for Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is set to launch today. Available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, and PC via Steam, the demo can be downloaded starting at 7am Pacific / 10am Eastern / 3pm UK. Unfortunately, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One users will have to wait until the full game's release on February 21 to dive into this pirate-themed adventure, as the demo won't be available on these platforms.

While the studio hasn't confirmed whether progress from the demo will carry over to the full game, it seems unlikely. The demo allows players to jump directly into specific freeroam and battle areas, bypassing the natural progression of the story. Players can explore parts of Honolulu and Madlantis, areas not accessible at the start of the full game. Additionally, the demo offers the chance to switch between the Mad Dog and Sea Dog fighting styles, engage with formidable bounty enemies, participate in four ship and deck battles at the Pirates' Coliseum, experiment with new customization options, and enjoy side activities such as karaoke with a selection of three songs.

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii serves as a spin-off sequel to Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, marking it as the eighth mainline entry in the Yakuza / Like a Dragon series (or ninth, counting Yakuza 0). The game follows the journey of Goro Majima, who, after waking up with amnesia, embarks on a pirate's life across Hawaii.

A trailer showcased at the October Xbox Partner Showcase provided a first glimpse of ship combat reminiscent of Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag and hinted at the return of Taiga Saejima, suggesting deeper connections to the main series than initially anticipated. The game promises a more substantial experience than its predecessor, Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name, with an estimated playtime of 15 to 18 hours for the main story. Fans eager to see Majima dressed as the series' iconic protagonist, Kiryu Kazuma, can do so by signing up for email notifications or participating in Sega's reward system.

For those eager to set sail with Majima, the demo offers a thrilling taste of what's to come in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii.