*Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii* takes the beloved *Yakuza* series into an exhilarating new realm with the introduction of Naval Combat. This innovative fighting system is crucial for players looking to dominate the high seas, and with multiple ship controls to master, understanding how Naval Combat works in *Pirate Yakuza* is essential.
How Does Naval Combat in Pirate Yakuza Work?
At the start of *Pirate Yakuza*, players are introduced to their initial vessel, the Goromaru, a small pirate ship that can be upgraded as the game progresses. In the early chapters, the ship is equipped with only two cannons on each side and a machine gun turret at the front. As you navigate the open waters, you'll frequently encounter enemy ships, offering the choice to engage in combat or attempt an escape.
Escaping can be risky, given that ships move slower than characters on land, and stronger enemy vessels may have ranged attacks that can damage you while fleeing. It's often wiser to confront these threats head-on and start firing immediately. Naval Combat in *Pirate Yakuza* involves three primary types of attacks:
Turret Gun Attacks: Positioned at the front of your ship, the turret gun is ideal for mid-range engagements. It allows you to inflict damage as you approach the enemy, setting you up to use the more potent cannons once in close range. Players can also take direct control of the turret for a more hands-on approach, though this increases risk.
Left and Right Cannons: The cannons are the Goromaru's most powerful weapons, activated by L2 or R2 buttons depending on which side you wish to fire from. These are effective only at close range, indicated by a lit cannon symbol signaling a guaranteed hit. After firing, cannons require time to reload, so maneuvering to use the opposite side's cannons is key.
RPG Missile: By shifting the camera to the ship's deck, players can control Goro and equip an RPG for long-distance damage. This move is best executed from a safe distance, as it halts the ship's movement. Starting a battle with an RPG can give you a significant advantage by weakening the enemy ship early on.
Pirate Ship Traversal
In the wider camera perspective, players control the Goromaru using the left stick and can activate a speed boost to either close in on enemies or execute a drift by simultaneously pressing a specific button (O on the PS5 DualSense, B on the Xbox controller). Drifting allows you to spin the ship, dodging cannon fire or positioning to maximize cannon damage from both sides.
Boarding Parties
Some Naval battles in *Pirate Yakuza* escalate into two-stage encounters, often featured in boss fights or the Pirate Coliseum in Madlantis. These battles typically involve confronting multiple ships, with the primary objective being to destroy the main ship, which has higher health. Focusing attacks on the boss ship is crucial to progress to the second stage, where the battle transitions into a traditional beat-em-up style familiar to *Yakuza* fans.
In these boarding parties, players face off against numerous crew members and a boss, often outnumbered. Strengthening your crew through morale boosts and lower-level fights is essential, as is managing stat boosters for both your crew and the enemy's. Assigning your own support crew with stat-boosting abilities can turn the tide of battle, ensuring you take down the opposition before your party is defeated.
Mastering these two-stage naval battles is vital, especially in the Pirate Coliseum and major story battles in the game's latter half. As you explore islands for treasure, encounters with other ships will test your naval combat skills, making them a fundamental part of the gameplay experience. The *Yakuza* series is known for refreshing its formula, and *Pirate Yakuza*'s new pirate ship mechanics and combat system offer a thrilling change of pace, rivaling even *Sea of Thieves*. With the right upgrades and crew, the Goromaru can become the most formidable ship on the seas.
And that is naval combat in *Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii*, explained.
*Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii* is available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
