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

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 details the mechanics of this new fighting system, crucial for success in the game.

Early game sees players commanding the Goromaru, a small, initially lightly armed ship. Engagements with enemy vessels are frequent. While fleeing is an option, the Goromaru's slower speed makes this risky, particularly against ships with ranged attacks. Direct confrontation is generally the better strategy.

Naval combat utilizes three primary attack types:

• Turret Gun Attacks: The front-mounted turret is ideal for mid-range engagements. Damage can be inflicted while approaching, setting up closer-range cannon attacks. Manually controlling the turret is possible but riskier.
• Left and Right Cannons: These are the Goromaru's most powerful weapons, activated with L2/R2 (depending on the platform). Effective only at close range (indicated by a lit-up cannon icon), they require reload time, necessitating strategic ship maneuvering.
• RPG Missile: Shifting the camera to the ship's deck allows free movement of Goro. This is best done at a safe distance, as it halts ship movement. Equipping an RPG provides long-range damage, often advantageous for initiating combat.

Ship control uses the left stick, with a boost function for speed increases. Boosting while drifting (O/B button) allows spinning maneuvers for dodging cannon fire or repositioning for optimal cannon usage.

Many naval battles, especially boss fights and Pirate Coliseum encounters, are two-phased. The first phase focuses on destroying the main enemy ship (with higher health than others). Ignoring smaller ships and concentrating fire on the boss is key to progressing to the second phase.

Once the boss ship's health is depleted, a boarding party sequence begins, transitioning to the series' signature beat-'em-up style. These often involve significant numerical disadvantages, highlighting the importance of crew member leveling and morale boosting. Strategic use of crew member stat boosters is vital for success.

Mastering two-stage naval battles is crucial for progressing through the game's latter half and exploring for treasure. The innovative naval combat system provides a refreshing change of pace, adding a strategic layer to the Yakuza experience. With upgrades and crew customization, the Goromaru can become a formidable force on the seas.

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