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

Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio is set to launch a free demo for their upcoming game, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, today across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, and PC via Steam. The demo will be available for download starting at 7am Pacific / 10am Eastern / 3pm UK, as announced by the studio on X/Twitter. However, players on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One will miss out on this demo, although they can look forward to the full game's release on February 21.

While RGG Studio hasn't confirmed whether progress made in the demo will transfer to the full game, it seems unlikely. The demo allows players to jump into specific freeroam and battle areas, deviating from the game's natural story progression. Players can explore segments of Honolulu and Madlantis, areas not accessible at the start of the full game.

In the demo, players have the freedom to switch between the Mad Dog and Sea Dog fighting styles, engage with formidable bounty enemies, and participate in four ship and deck battles at the Pirates' Coliseum. Additionally, new customization options and side activities like karaoke, featuring a selection of three songs, are available for players to enjoy.

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii serves as a spin-off sequel to Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, the eighth mainline installment in the Yakuza / Like a Dragon series (or ninth if counting Yakuza 0). This new title follows Goro Majima, who, after waking up with amnesia, embarks on a pirate adventure across Hawaii.

A trailer showcased during the October Xbox Partner Showcase provided a glimpse into the game's ship combat, reminiscent of Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag, and featured the return of Taiga Saejima, hinting at deeper connections to the main series. Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii promises a longer experience than the previous spin-off, Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name, with an estimated playtime of 15 to 18 hours for the story.

Fans eager to see Majima dressed as the iconic series protagonist Kiryu Kazuma can do so by signing up for email notifications or joining the Sega reward system.