"Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza's Naval Combat in Hawaii Detailed"

*Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii* takes the beloved *Yakuza* series into uncharted waters with the introduction of Naval Combat. This innovative fighting system is crucial for success in the game, and understanding its mechanics is key to mastering the seas. Here's a detailed look at how Naval Combat functions in *Pirate Yakuza*.

How Does Naval Combat in Pirate Yakuza Work?

At the outset of *Pirate Yakuza*, players are equipped with a small pirate ship named the Goromaru, which can be upgraded as you progress through the game. Initially, the Goromaru comes equipped with two cannons on each side and a machine gun turret at the bow. As you navigate the open seas, you'll frequently encounter enemy vessels, presenting you with the choice to engage in combat or attempt to flee.

However, escaping can be perilous due to the Goromaru's slower speed compared to land-based combat. Stronger enemy ships may have ranged attacks that can damage you even as you try to escape. It's often wiser to confront these adversaries head-on, initiating combat as soon as possible. Naval Combat in *Pirate Yakuza* features three primary types of attacks:

Turret Gun Attacks: Positioned at the front of your ship, the turret gun is your go-to weapon when engaging enemies at mid-range. It allows you to deal damage as you close in, setting the stage for more potent cannon attacks once you're in close proximity. Players can also take control of the turret directly, though this increases the risk as the ship stops moving.

Left and Right Cannons: These are the Goromaru's most powerful weapons, activated using L2 or R2 depending on the side you wish to fire from. Effective only at close range, a lit cannon symbol indicates a guaranteed hit. After firing, cannons require time to reload, so strategic maneuvering to alternate between sides is essential.

RPG Missile: By shifting the camera to the ship's deck, players can control Goro and use an RPG for long-range damage. This maneuver is best executed from a safe distance, as the ship stops moving during this time. Starting battles with an RPG can give you an early advantage by weakening enemy ships before closing in.

Pirate Ship Traversal

In the broader camera view, players control the Goromaru using the left stick and can activate a speed boost to either close the gap with enemy ships or execute a drift maneuver. Drifting, activated by pressing O on the PS5 DualSense or B on the Xbox controller during a boost, allows you to spin the ship, dodging enemy fire or positioning for optimal cannon use.

Boarding Parties

Some naval battles in *Pirate Yakuza* consist of two stages, typically encountered in main story boss fights or within the Pirate Coliseum in Madlantis. These battles often involve confronting multiple ships, with the primary objective being to destroy the main ship, which has greater health. Focusing attacks on the boss ship is crucial to progress to the second stage.

Once the boss ship's health is depleted, a prompt will appear to initiate a boarding party, transitioning the battle into the familiar beat-em-up style of the *Yakuza* series. These encounters often pit you against numerous crew members and a boss, typically leaving you outnumbered. To succeed, it's advisable to level up your crew through morale boosts and smaller skirmishes, ensuring they are stronger than the enemy crew.

Enemy captains can activate stat boosters to enhance their damage or defense, making battles more challenging. Players can counter this by assigning their own support crew to provide similar boosts, aiming to take out the opposing crew before being defeated.

Mastering these two-stage naval battles is essential, especially in the Pirate Coliseum and major story encounters in the game's latter half. As you explore islands for treasure, you'll frequently encounter other ships, making a solid grasp of Naval Combat vital. The *Yakuza* series has always excelled at refreshing its gameplay, and the pirate ship mechanics and combat in *Pirate Yakuza* offer a thrilling new experience that rivals even *Sea of Thieves*. With the right crew, upgrades, and customization, the Goromaru can become the most formidable vessel on the seas.

And that is how naval combat works in *Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii*.

*Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii* is available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.