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 breaks down the mechanics of this engaging new system.
Early game sees you commanding the Goromaru, a small ship initially equipped with two cannons (port and starboard) and a forward-mounted machine gun turret. Open waters present frequent encounters with enemy vessels; you can engage or attempt to flee. However, escape is risky due to the ship's slower speed and the ranged attacks of stronger adversaries. Direct confrontation is generally the better tactic.
Naval combat utilizes three attack types:
- Turret Gun Attacks: Effective at mid-range, the turret allows damage while closing the distance for cannon fire. Manually controlling the turret is possible but riskier.
- Left and Right Cannons: These are your most powerful weapons, activated via L2/R2 (depending on your platform) at close range. Each cannon requires a reload period, necessitating strategic ship maneuvering.
- RPG Missile: Shifting to a deck-view perspective lets you control Goro and deploy an RPG for long-range attacks. This is ideal for initiating engagements from a safe distance, weakening enemies before closing in.
Ship Control and Maneuvering
The left stick controls the Goromaru's movement. A boost function temporarily increases speed. Combining the boost with a drift maneuver (O on PS5, B on Xbox) allows for evasive tactics and repositioning for optimal cannon fire.
Two-Stage Naval Battles and Boarding Parties
Many encounters, especially boss battles and Pirate Coliseum challenges, are two-staged. The first phase involves ship-to-ship combat. Focus fire on the main enemy vessel to progress to the second stage – a hand-to-hand brawl.
The boarding party transitions the combat to the familiar Yakuza beat-'em-up style. You'll often be outnumbered, so leveling up your crew through morale boosts and smaller battles is crucial. Crew captains possess stat-boosting abilities, adding complexity to these encounters. Strategically assigning support crew with beneficial boosts is also key to success. The goal is to eliminate the opposing crew before your party is defeated.
Mastering these two-stage battles is vital for progressing through the game's latter half and exploring for treasure. The innovative naval combat adds a refreshing 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.
