"Pirate Yakuza Demo Now Available in Hawaii"

Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio is thrilled to announce the release of a free demo for Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, available today on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, and PC via Steam. The demo will be ready for download starting at 7am Pacific / 10am Eastern / 3pm UK. While the full game is set to launch on February 21 across PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and S, and PC via Steam, the free demo is exclusive to the newer generation consoles and PC.

Although RGG Studio hasn't confirmed whether progress from the demo will transfer to the full game, it seems unlikely. The demo allows players to jump into specific freeroam and battle sections, bypassing the main storyline. Players can explore parts of Honolulu and Madlantis, locations not immediately accessible in the full game. Additionally, the demo offers the chance to switch between the Mad Dog and Sea Dog fighting styles, take on formidable bounty enemies, engage in four ship and deck battles in the Pirates' Coliseum, experiment with new customization options, and enjoy side activities like 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, including Yakuza 0). The narrative follows Goro Majima, who wakes up with amnesia and embarks on a pirate adventure across Hawaii.

A trailer showcased during the October Xbox Partner Showcase provided a first look at the game's ship combat, reminiscent of Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag, and featured the return of the fan-favorite character Taiga Saejima, hinting at deeper connections to the main series.

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