Publisher SEGA confirmed that "Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii" will be getting a New Game Plus as part of a future free post-launch update.
The studio shared the news during a 15-minute "Like a Dragon" Direct showcase, which focused on the latest entry in the franchise. The decision to add a New Game Plus for free is a major shift in strategy for the company.
New Game Plus Mode
The decision also comes after the controversy last year that surrounded "Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth," where New Game Plus was exclusive to the more expensive Deluxe and Ultimate Editions.
So far, SEGA has not yet revealed a lot of information regarding "Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii's" newly announced New Game Plus mode.
The only thing that we know so far is that it will come as part of a "post-release patch" at some unspecified point after the game launches on Feb. 21, 2025.
During the stream, developer Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio also talked a little bit more about the latest entry's systems. The studio offered a better look at things like land and sea combat, ship customization, crew building, side activities, and many others, according to Eurogamer.
The latest entry in the "Like a Dragon" franchise will chart the swashbuckling adventures of fan-favorite series protagonist Goro Majima. It follows him waking up with amnesia on the remote Rich Island. The game is set to arrive on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii
The game comes with a Standard Edition that costs $59 and a Deluxe Edition that costs $74.99 and includes the Legendary Pirate Crew Pack, Legendary Outfit Pack, Ship Customization Pack, and Extra Karaoke & CD Pack.
Additionally, there is also the Collector's Edition that includes a series of real-world goodies, such as an eye patch and pirate flag. "Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii" is a sequel to the previous mainline game, IGN said.
There was a trailer for the game that was released at the October Xbox Partner Showcase that gave a first look at ship combat in "Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii."
It also showed the return of Taiga Saejima and teased more ties to the main series than fans previously thought.
While the fact that a New Game Plus mode will be added to the game as part of a free post-launch update left some fans disappointed. This was because they had to wait until the patch to get the mode, according to Game Rant.