*Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii* takes the beloved *Yakuza* series in an exhilarating new direction by introducing Naval Combat. This innovative fighting system is crucial for success in the game and involves several key aspects of ship control. Here's a detailed guide on how Naval Combat works in *Pirate Yakuza*.
How Does Naval Combat in Pirate Yakuza Work?
At the start of *Pirate Yakuza*, players are introduced to a small pirate ship called the Goromaru, which can be upgraded later in the game. Initially, the Goromaru is equipped with two cannons on each side and a machine gun turret at the front. While navigating the open seas, players will frequently encounter enemy ships. Similar to other combat scenarios in the game, players have the option to engage in battle or attempt to flee.
However, ships move slower than characters on land, making escape attempts risky, especially against stronger ships with ranged attacks. It's advisable to confront enemy ships directly and begin firing as soon as possible. Naval Combat in *Pirate Yakuza* includes three main types of attacks:
Turret Gun Attacks: Positioned at the front of your ship, the turret gun is ideal for mid-range engagements. It allows you to inflict damage as you approach the enemy, setting the stage for a closer attack with the more potent cannons. Players can also take direct control of the turret by stopping the ship, though this increases the risk.
Left and Right Cannons: The cannons are the Goromaru's most powerful weapons, activated by pressing L2 or R2 depending on the side you wish to fire from. They are effective only at close range, signaled by a lit cannon icon indicating a guaranteed hit. After firing, cannons require time to reload, so it's strategic to maneuver your ship to use the other side's cannons.
RPG Missile: During naval combat, you can switch the camera to the ship's deck and move Goro freely. This is risky if enemy ships are nearby, as the ship stops moving. However, roaming the deck allows you to use an RPG for long-range damage, providing an advantageous start to battles by weakening enemy ships from a distance.
Pirate Ship Traversal
In the wider camera view, players control the Goromaru with the left stick and can activate a speed boost to either close the gap with an enemy ship or execute a drift maneuver by pressing a button (O on PS5 DualSense, B on Xbox controller) simultaneously with the boost. This allows you to spin the ship, dodging cannon fire or aligning the other side of your ship to inflict double damage with both sets of cannons.
Boarding Parties
Some naval battles in *Pirate Yakuza* feature two stages, typically reserved for boss encounters in the main story or the Pirate Coliseum in Madlantis. These battles often involve facing multiple ships, with the primary objective being to destroy the main ship, which has more health. To progress efficiently, focus your attacks on the main ship, bypassing smaller ones.
Once the main ship's health is depleted, a prompt will appear to initiate a boarding party by pressing the action button. This transitions the battle into the traditional beat-em-up style familiar to *Yakuza* fans. Depending on the battle, you'll face numerous crew members and a boss, often outnumbered.
To succeed, it's essential to level up your crew by boosting morale and engaging in smaller fights. This ensures that your outnumbered Goro pirates are stronger than the enemy crew you're boarding. Enemy captains can activate stat boosters like damage or defense, making battles tougher. You can assign your own support crew with similar boosters to enhance your stats. The goal is to defeat all opposing crew members before your party is knocked out.
Mastering the two-stage naval battles is crucial for progressing through the Pirate Coliseum and the latter part of the main story. Additionally, understanding Naval Combat is vital when exploring islands for treasure and encountering other ships. The *Yakuza* series has always excelled at refreshing its gameplay mechanics, and the pirate ship combat in *Pirate Yakuza* offers a thrilling change of pace, rivaling even *Sea of Thieves*. With the right crew, upgrades, and customization, the Goromaru can become the most formidable ship on the seas.
And that is how naval combat in *Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii* works.
*Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii* is available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
