Ship Combat Explained

Learn the ropes of ship combat in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii! Master cannons, machine guns, boosts, smoke screens, and repairs to dominate the seas.

Alright, let's talk about ship combat in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. When you first get your hands on the Goromaru, it's pretty basic, but don't worry, we'll get you up to speed. You've got cannons on the sides and a machine gun up front.

The front machine guns are your go-to for direct assault, but remember, they only fire straight ahead. Keep an eye on that heat gauge next to your targeting reticule; if it fills up, you'll have to wait for it to cool down before you can blast away again. For the cannons, each side is mapped to a specific button. The key here is to make sure that side is actually facing the enemy ship before you pull the trigger. You'll know it's time to fire when the target reticule lights up on the enemy vessel – do that, and you're almost guaranteed a hit. Just like the machine guns, cannons have a cooldown period, so be patient.

Now, don't underestimate the boost! It's crucial. Once the boost meter is full, you can hit it to gain some serious speed, and then use the brake to drift. This is a fantastic way to dodge enemy fire and set yourself up for a perfect attack. Plus, you start with two extra boost charges, so even if the meter isn't full, you can still get a quick burst of speed by holding the button.

Smoke Screens

You can leave the helm to explore the deck of the Goromaru, but be warned: the ship will stop moving, leaving you vulnerable. If you press R1/RB while on deck, you'll deploy a smoke screen. This hides the Goromaru from enemy ships, making you a much harder target. Any damage you take while hidden is also significantly reduced. You only have a few Smoke Screens, but you can easily restock them at safe areas.

Rocket Launcher

While you're on deck, you can also use the rocket launcher. Aim it with L2/LT and fire with R2/RT. It's got its own cooldown gauge that needs to refill before you can fire again. The Goromaru only carries a limited number of rockets, which will be restocked when you reach a safe area. Keep an eye out, because you'll eventually be able to upgrade to different rocket launchers with unique properties!

Repairing the Ship and Rescuing Crew

Taking damage is inevitable out on the open sea. Whenever you enter a safe area—like a lighthouse or a friendly island—your ship will automatically repair, and any special ammo will be fully replenished. But there's another way to keep the Goromaru afloat: order your crew to repair it by pressing Square/X. This is a bit risky during combat, though, because everyone gets busy repairing, and your ship can't attack. The more crew members you have, the more health you'll restore. Also, the crew's 'Ship Upkeep' stat affects how quickly repairs finish. Like smoke screens and rockets, you have a limited number of repair actions, but they'll restock when you enter a safe zone.

Upgrading the Ship

You won't be able to upgrade the Goromaru right away. It's not until about halfway through Chapter 2 that you'll get an upgradeable version. When you access the travel menu, you'll see options for 'Change Equipment' and 'Upgrade Performance.' You can craft new weapons at a specific garage and equip them from the 'Change Equipment' menu. This menu also lets you buy stronger versions of your base weapons, like the machine guns and cannons.

The 'Upgrade Performance' menu is where you'll boost the Goromaru's durability (its health). You can also add more cannons, expand your boarding squads, and increase the number of repairs, fuel tanks, and smoke screens. These upgrades cost money, so make sure you're always checking what you can improve!