Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii Confirms Free New Game Plus

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii's New Game Plus Mode Will Be 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 (RGG Studio) has announced a different approach for its upcoming title, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. The New Game Plus mode for Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii will be available as a free post-launch update.

Infinite Wealth, despite critical acclaim and Game Awards nominations, faced criticism for locking its New Game Plus mode behind the purchase of its priciest editions. This decision was not reversed, but RGG Studio has clearly learned from this experience.

The announcement was made during the recent Like a Dragon Direct, a 13-minute showcase highlighting Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii's naval combat and crew-building mechanics. While the release date for the New Game Plus update wasn't specified, RGG Studio confirmed its free availability via a post-launch patch.

This decision is a welcome change. While deluxe editions often include cosmetic extras, gating significant gameplay features like New Game Plus behind a paywall is a contentious practice. By offering this mode for free, RGG Studio demonstrates responsiveness to player feedback and avoids repeating the Infinite Wealth controversy. Although players will need to wait, the added content should arrive within a reasonable timeframe, likely coinciding with many players' completion of their initial playthrough.

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