Days before its official release, early reviews for Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii began surfacing, painting a mixed but generally positive picture. The PS5 version currently holds a Metacritic average of 79 out of 100.
Reviewers lauded Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio's return to a fast-paced, action-oriented combat system, reminiscent of the pre-2020 titles, but now bolstered by exciting naval battles. This ship-based combat is praised for adding much-needed variety and maintaining player engagement. Protagonist Goro Majima also received significant praise for his portrayal.
However, the narrative received less enthusiastic feedback, with some critics deeming it less compelling than mainline entries in the series. Similarly, the game's environments were criticized for a degree of repetitiveness.
Despite these shortcomings, the consensus among critics is that Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii will likely resonate with both veteran fans and newcomers alike.