"Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza Demo Now Available in Hawaii"

Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio has exciting news for fans of the Yakuza series: a free demo for Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is set to launch today on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, and PC via Steam. The studio made the announcement on X/Twitter, confirming that the demo will be available for download starting at 7am Pacific / 10am Eastern / 3pm UK. While the full game is slated for release on February 21 across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One, the free demo will only be accessible on the newer generation consoles and PC.

While Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio hasn't confirmed whether progress in the demo will transfer to the full game, it seems unlikely given the demo's structure. The demo allows players to jump directly into specific freeroam and battle areas, bypassing the game's natural storyline. Players can explore parts of Honolulu and Madlantis, locations not accessible at the start of the full game, and switch between the Mad Dog and Sea Dog fighting styles. Additionally, the demo offers the chance to battle powerful bounty enemies, participate in four ship and deck battles at the Pirates' Coliseum, experiment with new customization options, and enjoy side activities such as karaoke with three song choices.

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii serves as a spin-off sequel to Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, marking it as the eighth mainline entry in the Yakuza / Like a Dragon series (or ninth if including Yakuza 0). The game follows the adventures of Goro Majima, who awakens with amnesia and embarks on a pirate's journey across Hawaii. A trailer showcased at the October Xbox Partner Showcase offered a glimpse of the game's ship combat, reminiscent of Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag, and teased the return of the beloved character Taiga Saejima, suggesting deeper connections to the main series.

With an estimated playtime of 15 to 18 hours, Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is set to be longer than the previous Yakuza spin-off, Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name. Fans can also look forward to dressing up Majima as the series' iconic protagonist, Kiryu Kazuma, but this feature is exclusive to those who sign up for email notifications or join the Sega reward system.