Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio has exciting news for fans of the Yakuza series: a free demo for "Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii" is set to launch today on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, and PC via Steam. You can download the demo starting at 7am Pacific / 10am Eastern / 3pm UK, as announced by the studio on X/Twitter.
Mark your calendars for February 21, when the full game hits the shelves. It will be available on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One as well, though unfortunately, these platforms won't have access to the free demo.
While RGG Studio hasn't confirmed whether your demo progress will carry over to the full game, it seems unlikely. The demo lets players jump into specific freeroam and battle zones, bypassing the main story. You'll have the chance to explore parts of Honolulu and Madlantis, areas not immediately accessible in the full game's opening.
In the demo, you can switch between the Mad Dog and Sea Dog fighting styles, take on formidable bounty enemies, and dive into four thrilling ship and deck battles at the Pirates' Coliseum. Customize your experience with new features and enjoy some side fun, like singing karaoke with a choice 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 journey of Goro Majima, who wakes up with amnesia and embarks on a pirate adventure across Hawaii.
A trailer showcased at the October Xbox Partner Showcase gave fans their first glimpse of ship combat, reminiscent of "Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag," and confirmed the return of the fan-favorite Taiga Saejima, hinting at deeper connections to the main series.
Expect a longer playtime than the previous Yakuza spin-off, "Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name," with "Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii" offering a story that takes around 15 to 18 hours to complete. Plus, fans can dress up Majima as the iconic Kiryu Kazuma, but this special feature is only available if you sign up for email notifications or join the Sega reward system.
