Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii scored 79/100 on first reviews

Ahead of its official launch, gaming journalists have released their reviews of Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. The PS5 version currently holds a Metacritic average score of 79/100.

Reviewers describe the game as possibly the most outlandish spin-off in the series, praising Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio's return to a fast-paced, action-focused combat system reminiscent of earlier titles. The addition of naval battles is highlighted as a welcome change, adding depth and preventing gameplay from becoming stale.

While protagonist Goro Majima receives positive feedback, the narrative itself has drawn mixed reactions, with some critics finding it less compelling than mainline entries. The game's environments were also criticized for a degree of repetitiveness.

Despite these shortcomings, the consensus is that Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii will likely resonate with both veteran fans and newcomers to the franchise.