TheYakuzafranchise is one of gaming’s most prolific, so it’s not surprising that it has some hidden gems buried in its catalog. It helps that the series fully embraces the absurdity of its premise and tone, with the recentLike a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaiibeing a prime example of this. WithPirate Yakuza in Hawaiireaffirming Ryu Ga Gotoku’s commitment to wacky and off-the-wall storytelling, it should only be a matter of time before audiences see the revival of an oft-overlooked spin-off.
Yakuza: Dead Soulsreleased in 2011 to little fanfare in the west, as this was before the series exploded in popularity courtesy ofreleases likeYakuza KiwamiandYakuza Zero. As the title suggests,Dead Soulsis an unthinkable zombie-themed spin-off of the usual soap opera, organized crime antics of the mainline series, pitting iconic characters like Goro Majima and Kazuma Kiryu against hordes of zombies in Kamurocho, drastically recontextualizing the familiar city sandbox. Needless to say,Dead Soulswas a radical reinvention of the already-crazyYakuzaformula at the time, but after the quirky, insane extravaganza ofLike a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, a return to thisResident Evil-influenced outing doesn’t seem too implausible.
Yakuza: Dead Soulsisn’t canon: it’s considered part of an alternate continuity in the series.
The beauty ofYakuzais its blend of absurdity and sincerity: the series expertly balances comedic chops and earnest, emotional, corny story beats to create an experience unlike anything else on the market.Pirate Yakuza in Hawaiiis a prime example of this—even its mouthful of a title alludes to its ridiculous nature. Starring an amnesiac Goro Majima fulfilling the role of a modern-day pirate, the action-brawler manages to do the impossible and crank up the silliness of the mainline franchise, making it a particularly outlandish entry.
Bringing backYakuza: Dead Soulswouldn’t seem so ridiculous in this pirate-themed game’s wake. In other words, RGG has established theYakuza/LaDfranchise as one defined by risk-taking, which gives the studio a privilege that few others have: it can essentially do anything with theYakuzaIP, and its core audience will probably enjoy it. Since there’s already a precedent set for a zombie spin-off, aDead Soulssuccessor could be particularly enticing.
SinceDead Soulsis part of its own continuity, RGG could theoretically release a direct sequel to it, picking up where the last game left off.Yakuzastories are generally rather loosely connected in many ways already, so this wouldn’t pose too many narrative or gameplay restrictions. Alternatively, RGG could push out aDead Soulsspin-off on anotherYakuzaorLike a Dragonbase game, perhaps starring Ichiban Kasuga instead of Kiryu and Majima, and being set in Hawaii, just likeInfinite WealthandPirate Yakuza. This would allow a theoreticalDead Soulssuccessor to be familiar to contemporary fans, while retaining the unique quirks of the 2011 game.
Or, perhaps RGG could issue aKiwami-style remake ofDead Souls, releasing an expanded and highly polished version of the 2011 original on modern hardware. This would be a great way to do the original game justice, although it could hogtie the studio to its subpar shooting mechanics and broader structural elements. Whatever route is chosen, though, it’s clear that RGG isn’t shackled to realism or seriousness in its games, and revisiting the ideas introduced inDead Soulswould be a great way to further this philosophy of absurdity.
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii
WHERE TO PLAY
A new legend begins as you step into the steel toe boots of Goro Majima, a man who has lost his memory and reinvents himself as a pirate on the open sea.Embark on an over-the-top, modern-day pirate adventure with an ex-yakuza, now pirate captain and his crew as they engage in exhilarating combat on land and sea in the hunt for lost memories and a legendary treasure.PIRATE YAKUZA ADVENTURE AHOY!Goro Majima, a notorious ex-yakuza suddenly finds himself shipwrecked on a remote island in the Pacific. Unable to remember even his own name, he sets sail in search of clues to his lost memories, accompanied by a boy named Noah who saved his life. Before long, they’re caught up in a conflict between cutthroat criminals, modern-day pirates, and other scoundrels over a legendary treasure.GET YOUR SHIP TOGETHERAssemble a one-of-a-kind crew while upgrading your ship as you explore the open sea and forge your legend in the cannon fire of foes, unexpected friendships, and immense riches made along the way.When an enemy pirate ship catches you in their sights, an exhilarating real-time cannon battle breaks out. Quickly maneuver into position while avoiding fire, then deliver devastating damage to board the enemy ship and take down the captain in all-out crew vs. crew brawls. Conquer the seas, discover hidden islands and acquire loads of loot like a true yakuza pirate!KICK ARRRSS WITH CREATIVE COMBATDynamically switch between the “Mad Dog” and “Sea Dog” fighting styles to mix-up attacks and deliver explosive combos, juggles, and aerial takedowns that reward your creativity with over-the-top action.With “Mad Dog” style, utilize speed, agility, and flair to deliver precise yet powerful blows that stun your enemies into submission. Or make enemies walk the plank with the “Sea Dog” style that has you dual-wielding short swords and deploying tricky pirate tools to kick some serious booty.
