Dive into the thrilling world of Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, where the iconic Yakuza series takes a thrilling turn with the introduction of intense naval combat. Mastering this new fighting system is key to success, and with multiple ship control aspects, understanding its mechanics is crucial. This guide breaks down how naval combat works in Pirate Yakuza.
Early in the game, you'll command the Goromaru, a small pirate ship initially equipped with two cannons (port and starboard) and a forward-mounted machine gun turret. While exploring the open waters, expect frequent encounters with enemy ships. You can choose to fight or flee, but escape is risky, especially against stronger ships with ranged attacks that inflict damage even while evading.
Facing enemies head-on is generally the best strategy. Naval combat features three main attack types:
- Turret Gun Attacks: The front-mounted turret is ideal for mid-range engagements. Deal damage while closing the distance to unleash the 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), remember they require reloading time. Maneuver your ship to utilize both cannons effectively.
- RPG Missile: Shifting to a deck view lets you freely control Goro. While this pauses ship movement, it's best used at a safe distance to weaken enemies before closing in. The RPG offers long-range damage.
Pirate Ship Maneuvering
Control the Goromaru using the left stick. A boost function temporarily increases speed, useful for closing distance or performing drifts (by pressing O/B simultaneously with boost) to evade cannon fire or reposition for optimal cannon attacks.
Boarding Parties
Many naval battles, particularly boss fights and Pirate Coliseum challenges, are two-stage affairs. Focus on destroying the main ship (with higher health) first, ignoring smaller vessels. Once its health is depleted, a prompt appears to initiate the boarding party, transitioning to a classic Yakuza beat-'em-up.
These boarding party encounters often involve a significant numerical disadvantage. Leveling up your crew through morale boosts and smaller battles is crucial. Utilize crew member stat boosters (damage, defense) strategically, both for your own crew and to counteract enemy captain buffs. The goal is to eliminate the enemy crew before your party is defeated.
Mastering these two-stage naval battles is key to progressing through the game's latter half, especially in the Pirate Coliseum. Even beyond major battles, you'll face other ships during exploration, making a strong understanding of naval combat essential. The unique pirate ship mechanics offer a refreshing change of pace, adding depth and excitement to the already engaging Yakuza formula.
With the right crew, upgrades, and customization, your Goromaru can become the most formidable ship on the seas.
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
