Naval Combat in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii Explained

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii charts a thrilling new course for the Yakuza series, introducing exhilarating naval combat. Mastering this system is key to success, and with its multifaceted ship controls, understanding its mechanics is crucial. This guide breaks down how naval combat works in Pirate Yakuza.

Early in Pirate Yakuza, you'll command the Goromaru, a small pirate ship initially equipped with two cannons (port and starboard) and a forward-mounted machine gun turret. While sailing, random enemy encounters are frequent. You can choose to fight or flee, but escaping is risky due to the Goromaru's slower speed and the ranged attacks of some stronger ships. Engaging head-on is generally the better strategy.

Naval combat utilizes three main attack types:

Turret Gun Attacks: The turret is your mid-range weapon of choice. It allows you to deal damage while closing the distance to unleash your more powerful cannons. You can also manually control the turret, but this is riskier.

Left and Right Cannons: These are your most powerful attacks (L2/R2), effective only at close range. A lit-up cannon icon indicates a guaranteed hit. Remember, cannons need reload time, so strategically maneuver to use both sides.

RPG Missile: Switching to a deck view lets you freely control Goro. This is best done at a safe distance, as it halts ship movement. From here, equip an RPG for long-range attacks, ideal for weakening enemies before closing in.

Pirate Ship Maneuvering

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

Boarding Parties

Many naval battles, especially boss fights and Pirate Coliseum events, are two-stage affairs. The first stage involves destroying the main enemy ship (higher health than smaller ships). Focus your fire on the boss ship to progress.

Once the boss ship's health is depleted, a prompt initiates the boarding party, transitioning to a beat-'em-up sequence familiar to Yakuza fans. You'll likely be outnumbered, so leveling up your crew by boosting morale and engaging in easier fights is crucial. Crew captains have stat-boosting abilities, adding challenge. You can assign support crew to boost your stats as well. The goal: eliminate the enemy crew before your party is defeated.

Mastering two-stage naval battles is vital for the latter half of the game, including the Pirate Coliseum. Exploration also frequently involves ship encounters, making a solid grasp of naval combat essential. The innovative pirate ship mechanics and combat offer a refreshing change of pace, and with upgrades and customization, the Goromaru can become a formidable force.

This concludes our explanation of naval combat in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii.

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