Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio is set to launch a free demo for Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii today across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, and PC via Steam. The demo will be available for download starting at 7am Pacific / 10am Eastern / 3pm UK, as announced by the studio on X/Twitter. However, players on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One won't have access to this demo, although they can look forward to the full game's release on February 21.
While Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio hasn't confirmed whether progress from the demo will transfer to the full game, it seems unlikely based on the demo's structure. The demo allows players to jump directly into specific freeroam and battle areas, bypassing the natural progression of the story. Players can explore parts of Honolulu and Madlantis, areas not immediately accessible in the full game's opening.
The demo offers a range of engaging features, including the ability to switch between the Mad Dog and Sea Dog fighting styles, battle powerful bounty enemies, participate in four ship and deck battles at the Pirates' Coliseum, experiment with new customization options, and enjoy side activities like karaoke with three song choices.
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is a spin-off sequel to Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, marking the eighth mainline entry in the Yakuza / Like a Dragon series (or ninth, including Yakuza 0). The game follows Goro Majima, who wakes up with amnesia and embarks on a pirate adventure across Hawaii.
A trailer showcased during the October Xbox Partner Showcase provided the first detailed 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 than initially anticipated.
The game's story is expected to take between 15 to 18 hours to complete, making it longer than the previous Yakuza spin-off, Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name. Fans can also unlock a special feature to dress Majima as the series' long-time protagonist, Kiryu Kazuma, by signing up for email notifications or joining the Sega reward system.
