Mastering Naval Combat in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii introduces thrilling naval combat, a significant departure for the Yakuza series. This guide breaks down the mechanics of ship-to-ship battles, crucial for success in the game.
Early game sees you commanding the Goromaru, a small ship initially equipped with two cannons (port and starboard) and a forward-mounted machine gun turret. Open waters frequently present random enemy encounters; engaging or fleeing is your choice. However, escape is risky due to the ship's slower speed and the ranged attacks of stronger vessels. Direct confrontation is generally recommended.
Naval combat utilizes three primary attack types:
- Turret Gun Attacks: The turret is ideal for mid-range engagements, dealing damage as you approach for closer-range cannon fire. Manually controlling the turret is possible but riskier.
- Left and Right Cannons: These are your most powerful weapons, effective at close range (indicated by illuminated cannon icons). Each cannon requires a reload time, necessitating strategic ship maneuvering to utilize both effectively.
- RPG Missile: Switching to a deck-view allows free movement of Goro and RPG deployment for long-range attacks. This is strategically advantageous for initiating battles, weakening enemies before closing in.
Ship control utilizes the left stick for movement, with a boost function for speed increases. Boosting while drifting (O on PS5, B on Xbox) allows rapid ship rotation, useful for evading cannon fire and optimizing cannon usage.
Many naval battles, especially boss fights and Pirate Coliseum encounters, are two-phased. The first phase focuses on destroying the main enemy ship (with higher health than supporting vessels). Prioritizing the boss ship ensures progression to the second phase. Once the boss ship's health is depleted, a boarding party sequence initiates, transitioning to the series' signature beat-'em-up style.
Boarding parties often involve an outnumbered Goro crew. Leveling up your crew through morale boosts and smaller engagements is crucial. Enemy captains possess stat-boosting abilities, increasing difficulty. Strategic use of support crew with stat-boosting capabilities is essential for victory.
Mastering two-phased naval combat is vital for progressing through the game's latter half, including the Pirate Coliseum and treasure hunts. With strategic crew management, upgrades, and customization, the Goromaru can become a dominant force.
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
