Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii Demo Available Today

Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio is thrilled to announce the release of a free demo for their upcoming game, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, available today on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, and PC via Steam. You can start your adventure by downloading the demo at 7am Pacific / 10am Eastern / 3pm UK. Mark your calendars, as the full game will launch on February 21, also coming to PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, although these platforms won't have access to the demo.

While RGG Studio hasn't confirmed whether demo progress will transfer to the full game, it seems unlikely given the demo's structure. The demo allows players to jump directly into specific freeroam and battle zones, bypassing the game's natural storyline. Dive into the vibrant worlds of Honolulu and Madlantis, areas not immediately accessible in the main game.

In the demo, players can switch between the Mad Dog and Sea Dog fighting styles, tackle formidable bounty enemies, and participate in four intense ship and deck battles at the Pirates' Coliseum. Customize your experience with new features and enjoy side activities like karaoke, featuring a selection of three songs.

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is an exciting 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 if you count Yakuza 0). Follow the journey of Goro Majima, who wakes up with amnesia and embarks on a pirate's life across Hawaii.

A trailer from the October Xbox Partner Showcase gave fans a first look at the game's ship combat, reminiscent of Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag, and reintroduced the beloved character Taiga Saejima, hinting at deeper connections to the main series than initially anticipated.

The game promises a longer playtime than its predecessor, Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name, with the story expected to take around 15 to 18 hours to complete. Additionally, fans can dress up Majima as the iconic series protagonist Kiryu Kazuma, but this feature is exclusive to those who sign up for email notifications or join the Sega reward system.