Majima’s Mad Dog style in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is mostly taken from his usual portrayal in the series. However, just as Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii brings a radical new direction, Mad Dog style has a few twists of its own. Players who are familiar with Majima and his fights throughout the series will see a lot of similarities. However, there are also plenty of new aspects to the style in this game. While not as outlandish as Sea Dog, Majima’s Mad Dog stance is definitely a fighting style worth another look.
Fans have seen Like a Dragon‘s Goro Majima as one of Kiryu’s allies for so long that sometimes it’s hard to remember that he was introduced as an antagonist. After being a recurring foe in the first game, Majima’s character was reworked into the form that Like a Dragon fans know today. He’s a foil to the stoic Kiryu, being crass, chaotic, and far more gleeful when it comes to fighting. At the same time, he has virtues like loyalty, honor, and kindness, which are especially clear in his playable appearances. Even in Like a Dragon‘s wild world, Majima is an unforgettable kind of anti-hero.
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Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii Offers a New Look at Majima’s Mad Dog Fighting Style
Majima’s Mad Dog Style Is All About Speed and Dangerous Knife Work
Players have seen Majima’s Mad Dog style in Like a Dragon before, and its portrayal in Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is familiar in several ways. Making heavy use of his signature Demonfire Dagger, it’s a fast and aggressive fighting style that utilizes Majima’s mobility, mixing acrobatic dagger attacks with swift kicks and rapid dodges. The way that Mad Dog style works in a fight is pretty similar to Majima himself, being vicious and energetic all at once. Players of previous titles will be able to comfortably find plenty of familiar territory in Majima’s Mad Dog Stance.
Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii Remembered Many of Majima’s Signature Moves
Several of Majima’s special moves also make a return despite his amnesia in Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. Majima’s unlockable skills include moves from his previous appearances, such as:
- Chomp, a dashing slash that hits everyone in his path
- Savage, a combo finisher where he unleashes a barrage of superfast slices
- Frenzy, a move where Majima rapidly spins around with his knife outstretched
- Maul, a Heat Action that acrobatically dispatches multiple foes with his knife
Mad Dog style even lets players use Majima’s ability to summon shadow clones that first appeared in Yakuza 5, but hasn’t been usable in any previous playable appearances.
Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii Adds a Few New Features to Mad Dog Style
Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii‘s take on Mad Dog style also features some new skills. Thug style from Majima’s appearance in Yakuza 0 has a significant influence, adding fisticuffs and grabs to his repertoire. In fact, the light attacks in Mad Dog style are all punches and kicks similar to Thug style. In addition, jumping and aerial attacks add another new dimension to Mad Dog style. The biggest example would be the air juggle combo that players learn early on, which is a consistently good damage dealer throughout the game. Mad Dog’s new features show that even at 60, Majima’s still full of surprises.
While Majima’s Mad Dog style isn’t quite the same as it was before, it’s still an invaluable asset. The many battles in Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii give players more than enough opportunities to see all of the ins and outs of the style. Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii‘s take on the style takes elements from all over the series, and it’s cool to see a lot of Majima’s most dazzling moves make a return. The Mad Dog style in Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is almost as iconic as its legendary user.
- 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