"Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza Demo Launches in Hawaii Today"

Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio is set to launch a free demo for their latest game, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, today across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, and PC via Steam. The demo will be available for download starting at 7am Pacific Time, 10am Eastern Time, and 3pm UK Time. While the full game is slated for release on February 21 and will also be available on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, these platforms will not have access to the demo.

Although Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio has not confirmed whether progress from the demo will transfer to the full game, it seems unlikely. The demo allows players to jump directly into specific freeroam and battle areas, bypassing the natural progression of the story. Players can explore parts of Honolulu and Madlantis, locations not accessible at the start of the full game.

The demo offers a variety of engaging features, including the ability to switch between the Mad Dog and Sea Dog fighting styles, battle against formidable bounty enemies, and participate in four ship and deck battles at the Pirates' Coliseum. Additionally, players can experiment with new customization options and enjoy side activities such as karaoke, featuring a selection of three songs.

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is a spin-off sequel to Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, marking it as the eighth mainline entry in the Yakuza / Like a Dragon series (or ninth if including Yakuza 0). The game follows the adventures of Goro Majima, who wakes up with amnesia and embarks on a journey as a pirate across Hawaii.

A trailer showcased during the October Xbox Partner Showcase provided a first glimpse at the game's ship combat, reminiscent of Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag, and hinted at the return of the beloved character Taiga Saejima, suggesting deeper connections to the main series than initially anticipated.

The game's story is expected to take around 15 to 18 hours to complete, making it longer than the previous Yakuza spin-off, Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name. Fans can also unlock a special feature allowing them to dress up Majima as the iconic series protagonist Kiryu Kazuma, but this is exclusive to those who sign up for email notifications or join the Sega reward system.