Hawaii's Yakuza Pirates: Like a Dragon Naval Combat Explained

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii charts a thrilling new course for the Yakuza series, introducing exhilarating naval combat. Mastering this system is key to success, so let's dive into the intricacies of controlling your ship and dominating the seas.

Early in the game, you'll command the Goromaru, a modest pirate ship initially equipped with two cannons (port and starboard) and a forward-mounted machine gun turret. While exploring the open waters, prepare for frequent encounters with enemy vessels. You can choose to engage or attempt to flee, but remember that your ship moves slower than in land-based combat, making escape a risky maneuver, especially against ships with long-range attacks.

Facing enemies head-on is generally the best strategy. Naval combat utilizes three primary attack types:

Turret Gun Attacks: The turret is your mid-range weapon of choice. It allows you to deal damage while closing the distance to unleash your more powerful cannons. You can also manually control the turret, but this is riskier.

Left and Right Cannons: These are your most potent 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 crucial to maximize their use.

RPG Missile: Switching to the ship's deck view allows you to freely control Goro. This is best done at a safe distance, as it halts your ship's movement. From here, equip an RPG for long-range attacks—an ideal way to weaken enemies before closing in.

Pirate Ship Maneuvering

In the wider ship view, use the left stick to control the Goromaru and activate a speed boost. Combine the boost with a drift maneuver (O on PS5, B on Xbox) to quickly spin your ship, evading cannon fire or repositioning for optimal cannon attacks.

Boarding Parties

Many naval battles, especially boss fights and Pirate Coliseum challenges, are two-stage affairs. The first stage involves destroying the main enemy ship (which has significantly more health than its escorts). Focus your fire on the main target to progress to the second stage.

Once the main ship's health is depleted, a prompt will appear to initiate the boarding party, shifting the combat to the familiar Yakuza beat-'em-up style. You'll typically be outnumbered, facing numerous crew members and a boss. Leveling up your crew, boosting morale, and engaging in smaller battles beforehand are essential to ensure a successful boarding action.

Enemy captains possess stat-boosting abilities, adding to the challenge. Utilize your own support crew to counter these boosts. The goal is to eliminate the enemy crew before your party is defeated. Mastering these two-stage battles is crucial for progressing through the game's later stages and exploring the islands for treasure. Naval combat represents a refreshing addition to the Yakuza formula, offering a strategic and engaging twist on the series' signature gameplay.

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