A few days before the official release, journalists from different media outlets started publishing reviews for Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. The PS5 version of the action-adventure game has received an average score of 79 out of 100 on Metacritic.

Critics believe that Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio has likely created the most absurd spin-off in the series. Reviewers appreciated the developers' return to a fast-paced, action-oriented combat system reminiscent of the franchise before 2020, now enhanced with naval battles. The ship-based combat adds variety to the gameplay and keeps things engaging.

The protagonist, Goro Majima, received praise, though some journalists were less impressed with the story, calling it unremarkable compared to the mainline entries. Additionally, the game’s locations were criticized for being somewhat repetitive.

Ultimately, critics agreed that despite its flaws, the game is sure to appeal to longtime fans of the series and newcomers who have yet to dive into it.

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