Summary
Throughout Yakuza and Like A Dragon history, one of the most consistent minigames has been a rhythm-game-ified take on karaoke where we get to see our protagonists belt their hearts out.
Like A Dragon: Pirate YakuzaIn Hawaiiis no different, and this time we’re treated to a more Majima-centric selection of songs to choose from. With some fan favourites returning, as well as original songs to keep it fresh, what’s the best song available?
7As Long As You’re Happy
Composed By Yuri Fukuda
It feels bad ranking As Long As You’re Happy last, especially since it’s such an emotionally charged song, but without a proper video to accompany it (instead having a glorified PowerPoint presentation) and with it being less catchy, it’s not a song you’ll want to come back to.
It’s nice to see references made to Majima’s backstory, since it isn’t really brought up throughout the rest of the game. In spite of the melodramatic tone of the song, it’s quite funny hearing Majima rush through the lyrics when you play through it. However, out of all the returning songs, it’s strange they would pick this from Yakuza Kiwami 2.
6Midnight Desire
Composed By Ryo Fukuda
It’s hard to really call any of Majima’s songs in Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza unique, since everything Majima does is pretty strange already, but Midnight Desire really does stand out from everything else.
The death metal-inspired track has Majima raving about his forbidden desires, all while the video portrays him being taunted by uncanny devil-like figures and lusting over fast food. The aggressive, darker tune stands out from the more upbeat tracks, but Majima really shines when he’s showing off his brighter side.
5Get To The Top!
Composed By Hidenori Shoji
Get To The Top! truly captures the manic energy of Majima that we all know and love, so it’s no wonder that the track has been brought back so many times, with it featured in Yakuza 4, Yakuza 5, and even Yakuza: Dead Souls before this.
The intense upbeat track is particularly enjoyable inMatthew Mercer’s English dubversion, with him making liberal changes to the lyrics. We’re blessed with getting to watch Majima partake in energetic choreography with his suited-up back-up dancers, all culminating in a human pyramid and heaps of confetti.
424-Hour Cinderella
Composed By Zenta
The reputation of Majima’s 24-Hour Cinderella truly precedes it, so it’s a surprise that the track has only appeared once before in Yakuza 0. It’s one of the more high-energy songs in the game, exuding pure corny-over-the-top-retro-J-pop-perfection.
Part of what makes it so enjoyable to listen to is the fact that a song this saccharine exists in the Like A Dragon universe, especially with it being performed by a character as unhinged as Majima. Getting to watch his 80s-inspired roller-skating group choreography makes it even better, and this time we can even appreciate the lyrics more with the new English translation.
3The Goro Pirates Theme
If you avoided karaoke for most of your playthrough in Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza In Hawaii, you might still recognize The Goro Pirates Theme, since it’s sampled regularly throughout the game. Clearly taking inspiration from sea shanties, you’ll often hear your crew chanting its hook throughout the main game.
A rock-infused sea shanty truly encapsulates theoff-the-wall toneof Majima’s pirate adventure, and getting to watch him perform it on the Goromaru with each of the main members of the crew is strangely cathartic.
2The Sun At 36.5°C
Composed By Saori Yoshida
With how popular 24-Hour Cinderella was in Yakuza 0, it’s no wonder that the same theme would be reused in a Majima-centric game (albeit with a summer-inspired twist) with the new track The Sun At 36.5°C.
Once again, we get to watch Majima dancing around in his idol get-up, with him even putting on his trusty roller skates again. In spite of how absurd the premise of the song is, seeing Majima performing in the same resorts that fill the beaches of Honolulu, it feels like a perfect fit for this game in particular.
1Song Of Departure - Journey To The New World
Even though we spend all of Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza following the terminally unserious Majima, the game still has plenty of reserved and genuine moments to keep you invested, and the game’s first chapter is full of these. That’s why it sticks out so much that after the freshly formed Goro Pirates embark on their maiden voyage they immediately break into song.
Song Of Departure - Journey To The New World is Like A Dragon’s take on Broadway, with the song having an overly optimistic tone that feels like it’s straightout of a Disney movie. Even though it feels so out of nowhere that all the characters start singing and dancing (it definitely isn’t a fever dream, and is fully diegetic), this clash of tones is part of what makes the game so enjoyable.
Getting to revisit this opening scene in karaoke is a nice way to hearken back to the opening hours of the game, and it’s even better that you get to share the stage with Noah.
