*Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii* introduces a thrilling new dimension to the *Yakuza* series by integrating Naval Combat, a feature that significantly enhances the gameplay experience. This new combat system is crucial for progressing through the game, and with various controls to master, understanding how Naval Combat works in *Pirate Yakuza* is essential.
How Does Naval Combat in Pirate Yakuza Work?
From the outset, players are equipped with the Goromaru, a small pirate ship that can be upgraded as you progress. Initially, the Goromaru is armed with two cannons on each side and a front-mounted machine gun turret. As you navigate the open waters, you'll encounter enemy ships that you can choose to engage or evade.
However, escaping is often challenging due to the slower movement of ships compared to land-based combat, particularly when facing more advanced ships with long-range capabilities. It's usually more strategic to confront these enemies directly. Here are the three types of attacks available during Naval Combat:
Turret Gun Attacks: Located at the ship's front, the turret gun is ideal for mid-range engagements. It allows you to damage enemy ships as you close in, setting the stage for using the more potent cannons once you're within close range. Players can also manually control the turret for more precise attacks, though this increases the risk as the ship stops moving.
Left and Right Cannons: These are the Goromaru's most powerful weapons, activated by pressing L2 or R2 depending on the side you wish to fire from. They are effective only at close range, indicated by a lit cannon symbol signaling a guaranteed hit. After firing, the cannons need time to reload, prompting you to maneuver the ship to use the opposite side's cannons effectively.
RPG Missile: By shifting the camera to the ship's deck, players can control Goro and equip an RPG for long-range attacks. This move is risky near enemy ships as it halts the ship's movement, but it's a powerful way to start battles by weakening opponents from a distance.
Pirate Ship Traversal
In the wider camera view, you can steer the Goromaru with the left stick and activate a boost to temporarily increase speed. This boost is useful for either closing the gap with enemy ships or executing a drift maneuver by pressing the appropriate button (O on PS5 DualSense, B on Xbox controller) alongside the boost. Drifting allows you to spin the ship, dodging enemy fire or positioning your cannons for a double attack.
Boarding Parties
Some naval battles feature two stages, typically during boss encounters or in the Pirate Coliseum in Madlantis. These involve the Goromaru facing off against multiple ships, with the primary objective being to destroy the main ship, which has more health. It's advisable to focus your attacks on the main ship to progress to the second stage.
Once the main ship's health is depleted, a prompt will appear to initiate a boarding party, transitioning the battle to the series' familiar beat-em-up style. You'll face numerous crew members and a boss, often outnumbered. To prepare for these encounters, it's crucial to level up your crew through morale boosts and smaller skirmishes, ensuring they're stronger than the enemies you'll board.
Enemy captains can use stat boosters to enhance their damage or defense, making battles tougher. You can counter this by assigning your own support crew to boost your stats. The goal is to defeat all opposing crew members before your party is knocked out.
Mastering these two-stage naval battles is essential, especially in the Pirate Coliseum and major story battles 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 indispensable. The *Yakuza* series is known for innovating its gameplay, and the pirate ship mechanics in *Pirate Yakuza* offer a refreshing twist that rivals even *Sea of Thieves*. With the right crew, upgrades, 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.*
