Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii: Is It an RPG or Beat ‘Em Up?

Image Credit: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio

If you’re looking to pick up Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, you’re likely wondering if it’s a turn-based RPG or a beat ’em up. Since Like a Dragon: Yakuza was released in 2019, the series has been split between the two play styles, and the decision has been somewhat divisive. So, we’ll examine whether Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii more closely follows the old or new gameplay.

Is Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii a beat ’em up or an RPG?

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is a beat ’em up, with gameplay similar to previous games in the series. Goro Majima has two types of fighting styles. Mad Dog is Majima’s signature fighting style based around fast-based martial arts and his tanto. He can also use the new Sea Dog style, which is pirate-themed and allows him to attack his foes with dual cutlasses and pistols.

Combat is a bit more fantastical this time around, as well. For the first time in the series, you can launch and juggle enemies in the air. Heat moves also return but with less emphasis than some previous titles.

Which Like a Dragon games are beat ’em ups?

All the entries in the Yakuza series were beat ’em ups until the release of 2019’s Like a Dragon: Yakuza:

Yakuza 0

Yakuza/Yakuza Kiwami

Yakuza 2/Yakuza Kiwami 2

Yakuza 3

Yakuza 4

Yakuza 5

Yakuza 6: The Song of Life

All the spin-offs so far (except for the Japan-only Like a Dragon Online) have been beat ’em ups as well:

Like a Dragon Kenzan!

Black Panther: Like a Dragon New Chapter

Black Panther 2: Like a Dragon Ashura Chapter

Yakuza: Dead Souls

Like a Dragon Ishin!

Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise

Judgment

Lost Judgment

Streets of Kamurocho

Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii

The post Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii: Is It an RPG or Beat ‘Em Up? appeared first on PlayStation LifeStyle.