Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii revolutionizes the Yakuza franchise with its innovative naval warfare mechanics. This crucial battle system determines your success in the game, featuring multiple ship control elements. Here's everything you need to know about mastering naval combat in Pirate Yakuza.

How Naval Combat Works in Pirate Yakuza

The game introduces players to a starter pirate vessel called the Goromaru in early chapters. Initially equipped with just two side cannons and a forward machine gun turret, players will frequently encounter enemy ships while sailing. Similar to land combat, you can choose to engage or flee these encounters.

But be warned - ship movement is significantly slower than on-foot combat. Some late-game enemy vessels feature ranged attacks that make escape particularly dangerous. Engaging head-on typically yields better results. Your naval arsenal includes three attack types:

Combat Weaponry

Turret Gun: Your mid-range weapon mounted at the ship's bow. Ideal for dealing initial damage while closing distance. Players can manually control turrets, though this immobilizes your vessel.

Port/Starboard Cannons: Your most powerful armaments, activated by L2/R2. These close-range weapons feature a targeting indicator for guaranteed hits. Remember to alternate sides during cooldown periods.

RPG Missile: Switching to deck view lets Goro fire RPGs from greater distances. Perfect for initiating combat at safe range, though leaves your ship stationary during use.

Ship Movement & Maneuvers

Standard navigation uses the left stick, while a temporary speed boost helps close gaps or perform tactical drifts. Mastering the drift maneuver (O/B button during boost) lets you dodge fire or quickly reposition cannons for maximum damage output.

Advanced Combat Scenarios

Key story missions and Pirate Coliseum challenges feature two-phase naval battles. These encounters pit your crew against multiple vessels, with a durable flagship as the primary target. Focus all firepower here to trigger the boarding sequence.

Once boarding begins, gameplay shifts to series' signature brawler combat - often with your party outnumbered. Preparation is key: upgrading crew morale through smaller battles ensures better performance during these scenarios.

Enemy captains may activate combat buffs, but you can counter with support crew abilities. The objective remains eliminating all opposing fighters while protecting your crew. These mechanics dominate late-game content and treasure hunts, making naval mastery essential.

This innovative system revitalizes the franchise's formula, presenting a fresh challenge that rivals dedicated pirate games. Proper crew development, ship upgrades, and tactical customization can transform the Goromaru into the Pacific's most feared vessel.

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