Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii's New Game Plus Mode: A Free Post-Launch Addition

Following fan backlash over the exclusive New Game Plus mode in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, developer Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio has announced a different approach for its upcoming title, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. The New Game Plus mode for this Hawaiian pirate adventure, starring Goro Majima, will be a free post-launch addition.

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, despite critical acclaim and Game Awards nominations, faced criticism for restricting New Game Plus to its priciest editions. While RGG Studio didn't reverse this decision for Infinite Wealth, they've learned from the experience.

This positive change was revealed during a recent Like a Dragon Direct showcasing the game's naval combat and crew-building mechanics. The announcement confirmed that New Game Plus will be available via a free post-launch patch, though a specific release date wasn't provided.

The practice of locking significant gameplay features, like New Game Plus, behind expensive editions is a common point of contention among gamers. RGG Studio's decision to offer it freely in Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is a welcome response to player feedback. While a post-launch release might disappoint some, the extended playtime of Like a Dragon titles suggests the addition will likely coincide with many players completing their initial playthroughs.

With the game's release still over a month away (February 21st), Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio is expected to share further details in the coming weeks. Fans are encouraged to follow the studio's social media channels for updates.