Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii's New Game Plus Mode to be Free Post-Launch
Following fan backlash over the exclusive availability of New Game Plus in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, developer Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio (RGG Studio) has announced a different approach for its upcoming title, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. The highly anticipated sequel, featuring Goro Majima's pirate adventures, will offer its New Game Plus mode as a free post-launch update.
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, despite critical acclaim and award nominations, faced criticism for restricting New Game Plus to its most expensive editions. RGG Studio's decision not to reverse this sparked considerable controversy. However, the recent Like a Dragon Direct showcased Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii's gameplay, including naval combat and crew management, and concluded with the welcome news of a free New Game Plus addition via a future patch. While a specific release date for the update wasn't provided, the announcement itself is a significant departure from the Infinite Wealth model.
The practice of locking essential gameplay features, such as game modes, behind expensive editions is a common point of contention among gamers. RGG Studio's decision to make New Game Plus freely available in Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii demonstrates a responsiveness to player feedback. While a post-launch release may disappoint some, the extended playtime offered by Like a Dragon titles suggests the update should arrive before many players complete their initial playthroughs.
With the game's release date set for February 21st, RGG Studio is expected to unveil further details in the coming weeks. Fans are encouraged to follow the studio's social media channels for updates.
