'Like a Dragon: Expanded World and Adventure'

Prepare for a significantly expanded Yakuza/Like a Dragon experience! Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii promises to be substantially larger than its predecessor, Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name. RGG Studio's president, Masayoshi Yokoyama, revealed at RGG SUMMIT 2024 that the game's world and story will be 1.3 to 1.5 times bigger.

This isn't just a minor expansion; it's a massive leap in scale. Yokoyama hinted at the sheer size, mentioning Honolulu City (seen in Infinite Wealth) and various locations like Madlantis, contributing to a significantly larger game volume than Gaiden. The game's scope extends beyond size; expect a packed adventure brimming with combat, side activities, and minigames. Yokoyama suggests the traditional "Gaiden" label as a smaller spin-off is evolving, implying this title offers a complete, mainline-level experience.

The Hawaiian setting provides a fresh backdrop, even more distinct than Gaiden. The charismatic Goro Majima, voiced by Hidenari Ugaki, leads this pirate adventure, mysteriously washed ashore and unexpectedly embracing piracy. Ugaki, while excited, remains tight-lipped about the plot details.

Adding intrigue, voice actor First Summer Uika (Noah Ritchie) hinted at a live-action scene featuring Ryuji Akiyama (Masaru Fujita), who added a humorous anecdote about an unexpected aquarium encounter during filming. Akiyama also teased the presence of numerous women in a scene that, while not a dating show, generated some playful excitement. This might relate to the "Minato Ward girls," who will appear both as live-action and CG characters. The studio held auditions earlier this year, attracting applicants passionate about the series.

For a deeper dive into the auditions and the game's development, check out our related article!