Naval Warfare in 'Yakuza: Like a Dragon' Explored

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 this engaging new system.

Early game sees you commanding the Goromaru, a small ship equipped with two cannons (port and starboard) and a forward-mounted machine gun turret. While exploring, you'll frequently encounter enemy vessels. You can choose to engage or flee, but escape is risky due to the ship's slower speed and the ranged attacks of some stronger opponents. Direct confrontation is usually the better strategy.

Naval combat utilizes three primary attack types:

• Turret Gun Attacks: Effective at mid-range, the turret allows damage while closing the distance for cannon fire. You can manually control the turret, but this is riskier.
• Left and Right Cannons: These are your most powerful weapons, activated with L2/R2 (depending on your platform). They only work at close range, indicated by a lit-up cannon icon. Remember the reload time and alternate between cannons for maximum efficiency.
• RPG Missile: Shifting the camera to the ship's deck lets you control Goro and deploy an RPG for long-range attacks. This is ideal for initiating combat with a significant advantage.

Ship Control and Maneuvering

Use the left stick to steer the Goromaru. A boost function temporarily increases speed. Combine boosting with a drift maneuver (O on PS5, B on Xbox) to quickly spin your ship, dodging incoming fire or repositioning for optimal cannon usage.

Two-Stage Naval Battles and Boarding Parties

Boss battles and Pirate Coliseum encounters often involve two stages. Initially, focus fire on the main, larger ship to progress to the boarding party phase.

Once the main ship's health is depleted, a prompt triggers a transition to a beat-'em-up style fight. You'll face numerous enemy crew members, often outnumbering your boarding party. Leveling up your crew, boosting their morale, and assigning support crew with stat buffs is crucial for success.

Mastering these two-stage battles is essential for progression. Your understanding of naval combat is vital throughout the game, from story missions to treasure hunting. The addition of naval combat provides a refreshing twist to the Yakuza formula, offering a unique and engaging experience. With upgrades and crew management, you can transform the Goromaru into a formidable force on the seas.

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