*Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii* marks an exhilarating shift for the *Yakuza* series, introducing players to the thrilling world of Naval Combat. This new fighting system is crucial for success within the game, encompassing various elements of ship control. Here's a comprehensive guide on how Naval Combat works in *Pirate Yakuza*.
How Does Naval Combat in Pirate Yakuza Work?
From the outset of *Pirate Yakuza*, players are equipped with a small pirate ship named the Goromaru, which can be upgraded as you progress. Initially, the vessel comes equipped with two cannons on each side and a machine gun turret at the front. As you navigate the open seas, you'll often encounter enemy ships. Similar to other combat encounters in the game, you can choose to engage in battle or attempt to flee.
However, ship movement is slower than land-based combat, making evasion risky, especially against stronger ships with ranged attacks that can damage you while you're fleeing. It's generally more strategic to confront enemy ships directly and start firing immediately. Naval Combat offers three types of attacks:
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 approach an enemy ship, setting the stage for closer encounters where you can deploy the more potent cannons. Players can also take control of the turret directly, though this carries more risk.
Left and Right Cannons: The cannons on the Goromaru are its most powerful weapons and can be activated with L2 or R2, depending on which side you wish to fire from. They're effective at close range, signaled by a lit cannon symbol indicating a guaranteed hit. After firing, the cannons need time to reload, so it's advisable to maneuver your ship to use the cannons on the opposite side.
RPG Missile: During naval combat, you can switch the camera to the ship's deck to move Goro freely. This maneuver is best done at a safe distance from enemy ships since your ship will halt during the perspective change. On the deck, you can equip an RPG for long-range damage, which is an effective way to initiate combat and weaken enemy ships from afar.
Pirate Ship Traversal
In the wider camera view of your ship, use the left stick to control the Goromaru and activate a boost to temporarily increase your speed. This boost is useful for either closing the gap with an enemy ship or executing a drift by simultaneously pressing the boost and a designated button (O on the PS5 DualSense, B on the Xbox controller). Drifting allows you to spin the ship, dodging enemy fire or repositioning to maximize cannon damage.
Boarding Parties
Some naval battles in *Pirate Yakuza* feature a two-stage system, typically reserved for boss fights in the main story or to progress in the Pirate Coliseum in Madlantis. These battles often involve facing multiple ships, with the primary objective being to destroy the main ship, which has more health than the others. Focus your attacks on the boss ship to advance to the second stage.
Once the boss ship's health is depleted, you'll be prompted to initiate a boarding party, transitioning the combat to the familiar beat-em-up style of the *Yakuza* series. These encounters usually pit you against a large number of enemy crew members and a boss, often leaving you outnumbered.
To prepare for these battles, it's crucial to level up your crew members by boosting morale and engaging in smaller fights. This ensures that your outnumbered pirates are stronger than the crew of the ship you're boarding. Enemy captains can use stat boosters to enhance damage or defense, making battles tougher. You can counter this by assigning your own support crew with boosters to enhance your stats. The goal is to defeat all opposing crew members before your party is knocked out.
Mastering the two-stage naval battles is essential, as they are prevalent in the Pirate Coliseum and major story battles in the game's second half. Additionally, as you explore islands and hunt for treasure, you'll frequently encounter other ships, making a solid grasp of Naval Combat vital. The *Yakuza* series has always thrived on innovating its gameplay, and the introduction of pirate ship mechanics and combat offers a fresh and exciting experience, even rivaling *Sea of Thieves*. With the right crew, upgrades, and customizations, 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.
