Yakuza: Pirate Yakuza Demo Launches in Hawaii

Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio is releasing a free demo for Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii today on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.

The studio announced the demo on X (formerly Twitter), confirming it will be available to download at 7 a.m. PT / 10 a.m. ET / 3 p.m. GMT. The full game launches on February 21 for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One as well, though these platforms will not receive the free demo.

RGG Studio hasn't explicitly confirmed whether progress from the demo will carry over to the full game. Given its structure, a direct transfer appears unlikely, as the demo lets players jump into specific free-roam and combat areas rather than following the main story progression.

Players will be able to freely explore portions of the Honolulu and Madlantis locations, both of which are not accessible at the start of the full game.

The demo also lets players switch between the Mad Dog and Sea Dog fighting styles, take on powerful bounty enemies, challenge four naval and deck battles in the Pirates' Coliseum, experiment with new customization options, and enjoy side activities like karaoke with a choice of three songs.

Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is a spin-off sequel to Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, which is the eighth mainline entry in the Yakuza/Like a Dragon series (or the ninth counting Yakuza 0). The story follows series veteran Goro Majima, who awakens with amnesia and embarks on a pirate's life, setting sail for new adventures in Hawaii.

A trailer from the October Xbox Partner Showcase offered a first proper look at ship combat reminiscent of Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag and revealed the return of the fan-favorite character Taiga Saejima, hinting at deeper connections to the main series than initially expected.

The game is also set to be notably longer than the previous spin-off, Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name, with the main story estimated to take 15 to 18 hours to complete. As a special bonus, fans can dress Majima in the outfit of longtime protagonist Kazuma Kiryu by signing up for email notifications or the Sega Rewards program.