*Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii* takes the iconic *Yakuza* series into uncharted waters—literally—with its thrilling new Naval Combat system. This fresh gameplay mechanic plays a crucial role in your journey, offering an immersive and strategic twist on traditional combat encounters. If you're wondering how to master this exciting feature, here's a detailed breakdown of how Naval Combat works in *Pirate Yakuza*.
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How Does Naval Combat in Pirate Yakuza Work?
From the beginning of *Pirate Yakuza*, players are introduced to their very own pirate ship, the Goromaru. While initially modest in power, it can be upgraded over time. In the early chapters, the ship is equipped with two side cannons—one on the left and one on the right—and a front-mounted machine gun turret. As you sail the open seas, enemy ships frequently appear in your vicinity, giving you the option to either engage in battle or try to escape.
However, escaping isn't always the best idea. The Goromaru moves slower than land-based combat allows, and certain enemies later in the game have long-range attacks that can damage you while fleeing. For optimal results, it’s usually better to face incoming threats head-on and start firing as soon as possible.
In Naval Combat, there are three main types of attacks:
- Turret Gun Attacks: Positioned at the front of the ship, the turret is ideal for mid-range engagements. It allows you to begin dealing damage while approaching the enemy, setting you up for a more powerful cannon assault once you’re within range. You can also stop the ship entirely and manually control the turret, although this leaves your vessel vulnerable.
- Left and Right Cannons: These are the Goromaru’s most powerful weapons. Activated using L2 or R2 depending on which side you want to fire from, these cannons deal massive damage—but only when you’re in close proximity. A visual indicator will let you know when they’re ready to fire. After each use, the cannons require a short cooldown, so maneuvering to alternate sides ensures consistent firepower.
- RPG Missile: During naval battles, you can switch the camera perspective to the ship’s deck and freely move Goro around. From here, you can equip an RPG to strike enemies from a distance. However, changing perspectives stops the ship’s movement, making this tactic safest when enemies are far away. Starting a fight with missile strikes can give you a significant advantage by weakening foes before closing in.
Pirate Ship Traversal
When controlling the Goromaru from the wide-angle view, use the left stick to steer and activate boost for a temporary speed increase. Boosting is ideal for quickly closing the gap with enemy ships or evading incoming fire. Pressing the boost button (O on PS5 DualSense, B on Xbox) simultaneously with directional input lets you drift, spinning the ship to dodge cannonballs or reposition for dual-cannon attacks.
Boarding Parties
Some naval battles are split into two stages, typically seen during story-driven boss fights or progression through the Pirate Coliseum in Madlantis. These encounters often involve multiple enemy ships, with the primary objective being the destruction of the flagship—usually the largest and toughest vessel in the fleet.
To complete these battles efficiently, focus your attacks on the main enemy ship rather than wasting resources on smaller ones. Once the flagship’s health bar depletes, you’ll receive a prompt to initiate the boarding party. At this point, the gameplay shifts to the classic beat-em-up style synonymous with the *Yakuza* series.
You’ll often be outnumbered, facing off against waves of enemy crew members and a final boss. To improve your odds, invest time in leveling up your crew, raising morale, and engaging in lower-tier battles to strengthen them. Additionally, both enemy and friendly captains can activate stat-boosting abilities such as increased damage or defense, making proper support selection essential for victory.
The Pirate Coliseum and late-game story missions heavily rely on two-stage naval battles, making mastery of this mechanic critical. Whether you're exploring islands in search of treasure or advancing the plot, understanding naval combat mechanics gives you a real edge in the world of *Pirate Yakuza*.
This innovative addition breathes fresh life into the *Yakuza* franchise, offering a unique experience that rivals even the most popular sea-faring games like *Sea of Thieves*. With the right crew, upgrades, and customization, the Goromaru becomes not just a means of transportation, but a formidable force on the high seas.
And that’s everything you need to know about Naval Combat in *Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii*.
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is available now on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC platforms.
