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 details the mechanics of ship-to-ship battles, crucial for success in the game.
Early game sees you commanding the Goromaru, a small ship equipped with two cannons (port and starboard) and a forward-mounted turret. Open waters frequently present random encounters. While fleeing is an option, the Goromaru's slow speed makes this risky, especially against ships with ranged attacks. Direct confrontation is generally preferable.
Naval combat utilizes three attack types:
- Turret Gun Attacks: The turret is your mid-range weapon. It's effective while approaching, setting up for cannon fire. Manual turret control is possible but riskier.
- Left and Right Cannons: These are your most powerful weapons, effective at close range. The cannon symbol illuminates when ready to fire. Maneuver to use both cannons effectively, accounting for reload time.
- RPG Missile: Switching to deck view allows free movement of Goro and RPG use for long-range attacks. This is ideal for initiating combat from a distance, weakening the enemy before closing in.
Ship Control and Maneuvering:
The left stick controls the Goromaru. A boost function temporarily increases speed. Combining boost with a drift maneuver (O on PS5, B on Xbox) allows spins to dodge cannon fire or reposition for optimal cannon usage.
Two-Stage Naval Battles:
Many battles, particularly boss fights and Pirate Coliseum encounters, are two-stage affairs. 
Focus on the main ship, ignoring smaller vessels to reach the boarding phase. Once the main ship's health is depleted, a prompt initiates the boarding party.
Boarding Parties:
The naval battle transitions to a Yakuza-style beat-'em-up. 
You'll likely be outnumbered. Leveling up your crew through morale boosts and smaller battles is key. Utilize crew member stat boosts to overcome the odds.
Mastering these two-stage battles is crucial for progression, especially in the later game and the Pirate Coliseum. A solid understanding of naval combat is essential for exploring and treasure hunting. With upgrades and crew management, the Goromaru can become a formidable force.
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
