"Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza Demo Now Available in Hawaii"

Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio has exciting news for fans of the Like a Dragon series: a free demo for Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is set to launch today. Available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, and PC via Steam, the demo can be downloaded starting at 7am Pacific / 10am Eastern / 3pm UK. This demo offers a taste of what's to come when the full game releases on February 21, which will also be available on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, though these platforms won't have access to the demo.

While RGG Studio hasn't confirmed whether progress from the demo will carry over to the full game, it seems unlikely. The demo allows players to jump into specific freeroam and battle areas, bypassing the natural progression of the story. Players can explore parts of Honolulu and Madlantis, areas not accessible at the start of the full game. Additionally, the demo lets you switch between the Mad Dog and Sea Dog fighting styles, battle powerful bounty enemies, engage in four ship and deck battles at the Pirates' Coliseum, experiment with new customization options, and enjoy side activities like karaoke with a selection of three songs.

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is a 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). The game follows the adventures of Goro Majima, who wakes up with amnesia and embarks on a pirate's journey across Hawaii.

A trailer showcased during 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 confirmed the return of the beloved character Taiga Saejima, hinting at deeper connections to the main series. Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is set to offer a longer experience than the previous spin-off, Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name, with a story that takes approximately 15 to 18 hours to complete. Fans can also unlock a special feature allowing Majima to dress up as the iconic Kiryu Kazuma by signing up for email notifications or joining the Sega reward system.