"Pirate Yakuza: Naval Combat in Hawaii Unveiled"

*Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii* takes the beloved *Yakuza* series in a thrilling new direction by introducing Naval Combat as a core element of gameplay. This innovative fighting system is crucial for success in the game, and mastering the various aspects of controlling your ship is key. Let's dive into how Naval Combat works in *Pirate Yakuza*.

How Does Naval Combat in Pirate Yakuza Work?

From the outset, players are equipped with a small pirate ship called the Goromaru, which can be upgraded as you progress through the game. Initially, the Goromaru is armed with two cannons on each side and a machine gun turret at the front. As you navigate the open seas, you'll frequently encounter enemy ships. Similar to other combat encounters in the game, you have the option to either engage in battle or attempt to flee.

However, fleeing can be risky due to the slower movement of ships compared to on-land combat, particularly when facing stronger ships with ranged attacks that can damage you while you're escaping. It's often better to confront enemy ships head-on and start firing as soon as possible. In Naval Combat, there are three types of attacks at your disposal:

Turret Gun Attacks: Positioned at the front of your ship, the turret gun is ideal for mid-range engagements. It allows you to deal damage while closing in on an enemy ship, preparing you for the more potent cannon attacks once you're in close range. Players can also take direct control of the turret, though this is a riskier strategy.

Left and Right Cannons: These are the Goromaru's most powerful weapons and are activated using L2 or R2, depending on which side you want to fire from. They are effective only at close range, indicated by a lit cannon symbol that signals a sure-hit. After firing, cannons need time to reload, so maneuvering your ship to use the opposite side's cannons is essential.

RPG Missile: By shifting the camera perspective to the ship's deck, you can control Goro and move freely. This is best done when safely distant from enemy ships, as your ship will stop moving during this shift. On the deck, you can equip an RPG to inflict damage from a greater distance, providing an advantageous start to battles by weakening enemy ships beforehand.

Pirate Ship Traversal

When using the wider camera perspective, you can control the Goromaru with the left stick and activate a speed boost to either close the gap with an enemy ship or perform a drift by pressing a designated button (O on the PS5 DualSense, B on the Xbox controller) alongside the boost. This maneuver allows you to spin the ship, dodging cannon fire or switching sides to maximize cannon damage.

Boarding Parties

Some Naval battles in *Pirate Yakuza* consist of two stages, typically found in boss battles or the Pirate Coliseum in Madlantis. These battles involve facing multiple ships, with the goal of destroying the main ship, which has more health than the others. To progress, it's best to focus solely on the main ship, ignoring smaller ones.

Once the main ship's health is depleted, a prompt will appear to initiate a boarding party, transitioning the battle to the *Yakuza* series' signature beat-em-up style. Depending on the battle, you'll face numerous crew members and a boss, often outnumbered. Leveling up your crew by boosting morale and engaging in lower-level fights prepares them for these encounters, ensuring your pirates are stronger than the ship's crew you're boarding.

The opposing captains may use stat boosters like damage or defense, making these battles challenging. You can assign your own support crew with similar boosters to enhance your stats. The objective is to defeat all opposing crew members before your party is knocked out.

Both the Pirate Coliseum and major story battles in the game's second half feature these two-stage naval battles, making them crucial to master. Additionally, understanding Naval Combat is essential when exploring islands for treasure and encountering other ships. The *Yakuza* series has always been known for innovating its gameplay, and the pirate ship mechanics and combat in *Pirate Yakuza* offer a refreshing and competitive experience that rivals games like *Sea of Thieves*. With the right crew members, upgrades, and customization, the Goromaru can become the deadliest ship on the seas.

And that is how Naval Combat works in *Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii*.

*Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.*