Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio’s Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is the next spin-off Gaiden title, even if it doesn’t retain the Gaiden subheader in the West. As such, it’s a smaller story, consisting of only five chapters, much like the Man Who Erased His Name.
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While Infinite Wealth chose to name its chapters after Elvis Presley song titles, Pirate Yakuza’s chapter titles are fittingly themed to well-known nautical tales. Here’s every chapter title, what it references, and how it relates to the plot.
As this list covers all chapter titles and the events that link to the name, there are big plot spoilers ahead. Avoid if you don’t want to ruin the game for yourself.
1
Chapter One: Shipwrecked
“Thus Fear Of Danger Is Ten Thousand Times More Terrifying Than Danger Itself”
Every chapter in Pirate Yakuza clearly references a well-known novel, other than Chapter One. While there are several movies of the same name, and even a reality TV show, it’s likely that this is simply more broadly summing up that the start of the game sees Majima washed ashore.
It’s also possible that it’s a reference to the most well known novel about someone being shipwrecked, 1719’s Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe. As the solve survivor of a shiprwreck, Crusoe starts a brand new life on the island he finds himself on, focusing on a theme of survival, but also seeing Crusoe undergo character development as he reflects on himself during his survival. The very same could be said of Majima.
2
Chapter Two: Heart Of Darkness
“We Live As We Dream – Alone. While The Dream Disappears, The Life Continues Painfully.”
Chapter Two pays tribute to the 1899 novella of the same name, Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad. It follows a sailor named Marlow as he travels up the Congo River and meets with an ivory trader named Kurtz. The novel focuses on Kurtz, who descends into madness and sets himself up in a position of god-like power over the natives. Overall the novel addresses issues of morality and Western colonialism.
It’s not difficult to see the parallels between Heart of Darkness and Pirate Yakuza, as Chapter Two sees Majima’s arrival into Madlantis. This criminal stronghold that has two rulers at its helm who govern the island based on their own selfish wants and whims, with our firsts introduction seeing Queen Michelle feeding men who betrayed her to sharks.
3
Chapter Three: The Old Man And The Sea
“A Man Can Be Destroyed But Not Defeated. Now Is No Time To Think Of What You Do Not Have.”
The Old Man and the Sea is a novel from 1952 by Ernest Hemmingway that tells the tale of an old down on his luck fisherman who battles reeling in a large marlin over many days, using only a handline. Eventually, the fisherman triumphs, but when returning home, he loses most of what he fought so hard for as sharks and other predator fish have stripped the marlin down to the bone, ultimately leaving him with little to show for the biggest catch of his life.
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This reference is a clear paralel to Rodriguez’s father, the old Palekana man who we learn found the treasure, but ultimately only ended up with a small portion of it, a few mere pieces of eight. However, in Pirate Yakuza, the old man willingly relinquished the biggest catch of his life.
4
Chapter Four: Treasure Island
“Yo-Ho-Ho, And A Bottle Of Rum!”
One of the most famous pirate tales, Chapter Four refers to Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson, first published in 1883. It’s a story of a boy named Jim Hawkins who finds a treasure map and goes on an epic adventure to track down the treasure of pirate Captain Flint.
It’s a coming of age story with themes of friendship and morals that are accurately reflected in the events of Pirate Yakuza. As the game focuses on Noah and his wish to see the wider world, he takes on a very similar role to Jim, and of course, let’s not dismiss the obvious: both tales involve a grand treasure hunt.
It’s a fitting title for Chapter Four, as this is when our beloved Goro Pirates finally track down the Lost Treasure of the Esperanza.
5
Finale: White Whale
“There She Blows!”
Though this chapter doesn’t use the novel title verbatim like some of the others do, many will be familiar with reference, as the white whale is the synonymous with the 1851 novel Moby Dick by Herman Melville. The narrative is told from the perspective of a sailor by the name of Ishmael, who details the obsessive quest of Captain Ahab of hunting down a giant white sperm whale that bit off his leg.
Pirate Yakuza uses this reference quite literally, with a white sperm whale featuring in the final chapter of the game, as well as more broadly touching on the pivotal role of ambergis, which comes from sperm whales.
Considering the unfortunate end of Captain Ahab, being dragged to the depths by the whale he hunted for so long because he couldn’t relinquish his obsession, it might also mirror fate of more than one character. Both Queen Michelle and Raymond Law both meet their demise because they’re too focused on their greed.
- Released
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February 21, 2025
- ESRB
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Mature 17+ // Blood, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Alcohol
- Developer(s)
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Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio
- Engine
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Dragon Engine
- PC Release Date
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February 21, 2025
- Xbox Series X|S Release Date
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February 21, 2025
- PS5 Release Date
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February 21, 2025
- X|S Optimized
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Yes
- File Size Xbox Series
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45.03 GB
- Number of Players
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Single-player
- Steam Deck Compatibility
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Unknown
- OpenCritic Rating
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Strong