The old sailing vessel’s hull bucked against the turbulent waves as a lone figure at the helm, resplendent in a vibrant Hawaiian print shirt, stood steadfast amidst the cacophony of screeching gulls above. While unexpected is a fitting introduction to Goro Majima, perhaps some of the series’ most recognizable figures would have been more anticipated launches; instead, this choice sets the tone effectively. GameFeeds was granted an exclusive hands-on preview opportunity to experience first-hand what’s in store for fans of the latest installment in Hawaii – a thrilling tale that follows Majima as he navigates his journey from being down on his luck to becoming the most legendary pirate the world has ever known. A comprehensive guide to what follows next.
As expected, the game’s absurdity reaches new heights with Goro Majima at its helm – a predictable yet welcome decision from Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio given the franchise’s penchant for embracing its sport’s inherent ridiculousness. Among the select few characters in the series, Majima stands out for his richly detailed and emotionally charged character arc, featuring some of the medium’s most poignant moments. However not right here! Not fewer than a dozen times. Instead, Majima and his crew venture into the lawless town of Madlantis, a den of violence and danger where various unsavory characters converge.
In Like a Dragon games, non-Japanese characters are an approximation created by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studios to accommodate Western players’ common experience: a few scattered locals, errant tourists, and hordes of thugs eager to beat you up either because they find you amusing or want to take advantage of someone already down. It’s essentially just an online game city.
In comparison to Madlantis, Honolulu proves underwhelming, as I spent my time exploring the city’s preview build alongside my intrepid young sidekick and his pet Bengal tiger kitten. Together, we traversed the metropolis while belting out the best of Majima’s karaoke hits – including “24-Hour Cinderella” – or modifying up Majima’s look in a haphazardly constructed changing room. As he tears through the night, his shirtless form glows under the neon lights, the hannya’s grotesque visage contorted in a snarl on his skin; or perhaps he’ll don again that legendary snakeskin ensemble – leather jacket creaking, pants snapping, and sneakers flashing silver as he stalks the streets. I chose that particular frame because it brought back memories of a pivotal moment in the overall narrative. I was consumed by an insatiable drive to recapture the thrill of besting Keith, a nondescript pirate sporting a tricorn hat, whose questionable behavior had earned him Majima’s ire for reasons unknown. That assumption may hold more significance within the broader framework of the game, potentially carrying greater weight in its definition.
While Goro Majima may have clocked in at 60, his vitality remains unmatched, defying the conventional signs of aging with an unyielding energy. The enigmatic Mad Canine of Shimano persists in his pursuit of mastering novel techniques, accompanied by the Sea Canine prototype’s deterrent capabilities, as he wields an unorthodox arsenal comprising dual cutlasses and a 17th-century handheld cannon. His attacks are lightning-fast and deadly, necessitating the use of a wire to launch yourself at opponents with unbridled ferocity. While air combos can be overpowered, the game’s indulgence in the “rule of cool” for its most popular character is hard to fault. If you desire a nostalgic experience, you can switch back to Majima’s iconic combat style, Mad Dog, which allows him to dash through enemies wielding his tanto. While Kratos eschews his trademark unpredictability from earlier installments, the ability to conjure duplicates and execute a mesmerizing spinning attack remains, sending foes soaring or meeting their demise with aplomb.
I can confirm that a new remix of “Get You” does exist in the Mad Dog model, and the music for Sea Dog isn’t bad either. While it isn’t an exact match for the overpowering electronic dance music (EDM)-inspired soundtrack that dominated and seems noticeably tempered in its approach.
Following my altercation with Keith and his team, I cautiously explored the remnants of Madlantis. Unlike earlier video games that featured crime-ridden underground areas. Scraps of hulls and machinery lie tangled, corroded remnants of maritime ventures gone by, a grim testament to the ravages of time and neglect in this eerie, forgotten harbor. The neon lights cast a gaudy glow over the dilapidated structures, their reflections rippling across the water’s surface where makeshift vessels teetered precariously? It’s not akin to Purgatory from the Dark Souls series, nor is it comparable to the Citadel from Destiny. It wasn’t glamorous or glitzy. Uncharacteristically refreshing, this brief departure from my norm offers a welcome respite, allowing me to entertain the prospect of collaborating with Madlantis, a proposition that would have been unthinkable in my earlier days, confined as I was to crafting single, narrow slices of creative expression. In the forthcoming release of the game, players won’t be able to participate in naval battles, enabling them to shape Majima into a formidable pirate presence on the seven seas or command their own vessel through the waters of Honolulu – features that will be fully realized in the complete version of the game.
The esports industry appears to have genuinely captured people’s attention as a competitive pursuit, serving as a temporary bridge between major tournament releases to appease the growing appetite of novice fans. Rerun a tantalizing offer that will re-entice even those devoted fans who have otherwise reached a plateau of apathy towards the series, allowing them to relive the thrill of playing as the charismatic Majima once more. Although the Dragon Engine has shown impressive versatility, with repeated use comes the risk of staleness; after nearly a decade of development, some rough edges are starting to emerge, and reusing assets can become less convincing. Why didn’t Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio transition to Unreal Engine 5 sooner, considering its obvious superiority over? At the very least, I can’t deny that this is a welcome change of pace, as the shift from one protagonist to another and the return to fast-paced, action-packed combat prove refreshingly invigorating.
