Best Early Substories In Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii

Summary

• Substories in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii are unlocked after initial mandatory quests.
• Optional events populate the map post-mandatory Substories, providing worthwhile experiences.
• Variety of Substories range from awkward moments, and funny encounters, to heartwarming conclusions.

It takes a while but Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii does have Substories like most entries in the series. The first two are mandatory with both operating in Honolulu once players get to Hawaii about five to six hours in. First, players will run into a giant mascot named Kamulop during the Kamulop, Fortunes Unfolded Substory. After dealing with some harassing thugs, players will unlock a deeper collection-based side quest in the game.

There is also The Symbol of the City, the Street Surfer which will see the return of Oka and his Street Surfers in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth. Once those mandatory Substories are completed, the map will be populated by optional events and these are the ones worth looking into without spoilers in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii.

7

Goro’s Heart

Things Get Weird Fast

• Location: Anaconda Harbor Park
• Reward: Double Silver Ring and Dr. Russell (Active Crew)

Goro’s Heart can be started when players run into Dr. Russell around Anaconda Harbor Park. He wants to test a VR device he built and claims it can help Goro and Noah understand their little tiger friend. Strapped in, the tiny tiger will indeed start talking and it gets uncomfortable fast but in a funny way.

Nothing will be spoiled here but for going through this awkwardness, Dr. Russell will join the pirate crew and also give players the Double Silver Ring. It’s not the best ring in the early hours of the game but it is a start.

6

I Want To Be Your Nadeshiko

Fake It Till You Make It

• Location: Aloha Beach
• Reward: Hawaiian Silver Ring and Claire (Active Crew)

I Want To Be Your Nadeshiko might be the first optional Substory players will start along Aloha Beach. The side quest will begin as players help rescue a random girl with the help of another who steps in, Claire. Afterward, she leaves quickly and players later learn she was late for a date.

With Goro’s help, he will feed Claire facts about Japan on her date with her would-be boo, Damian. How the saga ends will be saved but Claire will join Goro and his pirates after along with gifting him the Hawaiian Silver Ring which is another okay starter accessory.

5

If I Weren’t An Idol

The Worst Investment Ever

• Location: Sunset Park
• Reward: Gu-san, Broto-op, and Mr. Six (Active Crew)

If being a Yakuza member has taught Goro anything, it’s to know when a scam is being played. He sniffs it out right quick when he agrees to join Gu-san in the Substory If I Weren’t An Idol. Gu-san bought a ticket, along with many other idol fans, to go on a trolley tour around Hawaii with Ichigo Todo, the pop star in question.

How exactly this is a scam will remain a secret but it gets increasingly funny and sad as the side quest continues. In the end, three idol fans will join Goro including Gu-san, Broto-op, and Mr. Six.

4

Man Of Bronze

Kids Hate Statues Apparently

• Location: Resort Boulevard
• Reward: Chain Ring and Bronson (Active Crew)

Man of Bronze can be started once players hear a rumor around Resort Boulevard that a man painted as a bronze statue will not move. Goro later learns this man is named Bronson and he always dreamed of being a street performer.

The problem is that no one around Hawaii likes Bronson including some animalistic kids. If horror movies have taught people anything, it’s that kids can be vicious even to nice people like Bronson in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. The conclusion to the Substory is heartwarming and Bronson joins the crew and gives Goro a Chain Ring to equip too.

3

Smile Again

A Little Too Spicey

• Location: Jeff’s Taco Truck
• Reward: Hawaiian Silver Ring and Jeff (Active Crew)

Smile Again is a relatively simple Substory with not a lot going on but there are some comedic moments. Jeff was a smuggler who used his taco truck to give the people around Hawaii illicit products. Now he’s turned a new leaf and wants to actually make tacos which no one seemingly wants.

Most interactions with Jeff will result in Goro fighting back angry customers who want the old Jeff back. In the end, Jeff joins the pirate crew and like Claire gives Goro the Hawaiian Silver Ring.

2

The Magic Food

A Chef Wants More

• Location: Aloha Beach
• Reward: Hawaiian Gold Ring and Hauser (Active Crew)

The Magic Food Is a better Substory centered around food. Soleil is a fancy restaurant on the water of Aloha Beach. There Goro will meet an aspiring chef named Hauser who has been relegated to seating duty even though he has big ideas for the restaurant.

Things seem suspicious so Goro helps investigate and gets Hauser’s dreams back on track. Whether they are fulfilled or not doesn’t quite matter as he will join the pirate crew.

1

The Miracle Aquarium

Polar Bears Don’t Like Hawaii

• Location: Anaconda Harbor Park
• Reward: Stephanie-chan (Support Crew)

The Miracle Aquarium is a very quick one that players will first get a flyer for. They can then travel to an event set up in Anaconda Harbor Park. Goro will meet Yasuda there who is a trainer for Stephanie-chan, a polar bear encased in an ice castle.

It doesn’t take a genius to figure out ice will not stand in Hawaii leading to a mini-boss fight with the escaped Stephanie-chan. The polar bear befriends Goro afterward and joins the crew as a support-type crew member, which is rare for early recruits in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. This may all sound like a spoiler but there is more to it with a sequel Substory.