*Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii* takes the beloved *Yakuza* series into uncharted waters with its innovative Naval Combat system. This core feature is crucial for players to master in order to thrive in the game, especially given the multifaceted nature of controlling your ship. Let's dive into how Naval Combat works in *Pirate Yakuza*.
How Does Naval Combat in Pirate Yakuza Work?
Right from the start, *Pirate Yakuza* equips players with a modest pirate ship named the Goromaru, which can be upgraded as you progress. Initially, the Goromaru boasts two cannons on each side and a machine gun turret at the front. While navigating the open seas, you'll frequently encounter hostile ships. Similar to other combat scenarios in the game, you can choose to engage or attempt to flee.
However, escaping is risky due to the slower pace of ships compared to on-foot combat, especially when facing advanced enemy vessels with long-range attacks. It's often wiser to confront these threats head-on and start firing immediately. In Naval Combat, you have three types of attacks at your disposal:
Turret Gun Attacks: Positioned at the front of your ship, the turret gun is ideal for mid-range engagements. It allows you to inflict damage as you close the distance, setting the stage for more potent cannon attacks. Players can also manually control the turret by stopping the ship, though this increases the risk of exposure.
Left and Right Cannons: The Goromaru's most powerful weapons, these cannons can be fired using L2 or R2, depending on which side you're aiming from. They're effective only at close range, indicated by a lit cannon symbol signaling a guaranteed hit. After firing, there's a reload time, so it's strategic to maneuver your ship to use the cannons on the opposite side.
RPG Missile: During naval battles, you can switch the camera view to the ship's deck to control Goro directly. This maneuver is best executed when you're at a safe distance from enemy ships, as it halts your ship's movement. Roaming the deck allows you to use an RPG, which is great for damaging enemy ships from afar and gaining an early advantage.
Pirate Ship Traversal
In the broader ship view, you control the Goromaru using the left stick and can activate a speed boost to either close in on enemies or execute a drift maneuver. The drift, performed by pressing O on the PS5 DualSense or B on the Xbox controller alongside the boost, enables you to spin your ship, dodging enemy fire or aligning your cannons for maximum impact.
Related: The Best Order to Play the Yakuza/Like a Dragon Series
Boarding Parties
Some naval battles in *Pirate Yakuza* feature two stages, typically reserved for major story boss fights or advancing in the Pirate Coliseum in Madlantis. These encounters often involve facing multiple ships, with the goal of destroying a main ship that has greater health. To progress efficiently, focus your attacks on the main ship, bypassing the smaller ones.
Once the main ship's health is depleted, you'll be prompted to initiate a boarding party, transitioning the battle to a traditional *Yakuza* beat-em-up style. Here, you'll face numerous crew members and a boss, often being outnumbered. To prepare for these encounters, level up your crew by boosting morale and engaging in smaller fights, ensuring your pirates are stronger than those you're boarding.
Enemy captains can activate stat boosters, increasing their damage or defense, making battles tougher. You can counter this by assigning support crew members with their own stat boosters. The objective is to eliminate all opposing crew before your party is defeated.
Mastering two-stage naval battles is crucial, as they are central to the Pirate Coliseum and major story battles later in the game. Additionally, understanding Naval Combat is essential for exploring islands and encountering other ships during treasure hunts. The *Yakuza* series is known for refreshing its gameplay mechanics, and the pirate ship combat in *Pirate Yakuza* offers a thrilling twist, rivaling even *Sea of Thieves*. With the right upgrades, crew, and customization, the Goromaru can become the most formidable ship on the seas.
And that is naval combat in *Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii*, explained.
*Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.*
