SEGA旗下的Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio開發並於2025年初推出的《人中之龍8 外傳：Pirates in Hawaii》，是系列史上最具突破性的動作冒險作品。大膽地將舞台從神室町擴展至浩瀚的太平洋與夏威夷群島，並首度採用系列人氣角色真島吾朗作為單一主角。它不僅繼承《人中之龍 8》的精緻地圖素材，更將「海盜冒險」與「黑道格鬥」完美融合，在2026年的今天，依然被視為系列中最瘋狂且娛樂性最高的外傳作品。

故事發生在《人中之龍 8》事件半年後。傳奇黑道真島吾朗因故漂流至太平洋上一座荒島「里奇島」。醒來後，他失去所有記憶，身邊只有一名救了他的少年與一隻小老虎。意外之下，真島成為海盜船「吾朗丸」的船長。玩家將隨他展開冒險，探索夏威夷神祕的群島、充滿法外之徒的「瘋狂島（Madlantis）」，並揭開隱藏在蔚藍海底的陰謀。劇情在真島特有的荒誕幽默與硬漢柔情間取得絕佳平衡，玩家將見證這位「嶋野的狂犬」如何在現代社會中重新定義真正的「海盜精神」。

在操作與系統設計上，回歸爽快十足的即時動作戰鬥。真島具備兩種截然不同的戰鬥風格：一是傳承系列精髓的「狂犬」風格，利用瞬移與短刀進行高速連擊；二是全新的「海盜」風格，玩家可以揮舞彎刀、發射火槍，甚至利用勾繩在戰場上自由穿梭，展現極具創意的動作表現。此外，本作加入系列首創的「跳躍」機制，將戰鬥從平面延伸至立體空間。

除了陸地格鬥，海戰系統是本作的靈魂。可以改裝海盜船「吾朗丸」，招募專長各異的船員，打造最強海盜團。海上戰鬥結合緊張的砲擊策略與熱血的登船混戰，當玩家癱瘓敵船並帶領部下登上甲板時，那種橫掃千軍的快感將動作遊戲的爽快感推向巔峰。搭配夏威夷明媚的景色與豐富的迷你遊戲，整體遊玩節奏既緊湊又充滿驚喜。

在市場評價方面獲得極高讚譽，被公認為系列中最具實驗性且成功的作品。正面評價高度肯定其「將海盜元素融入黑道題材的奇妙化學反應」，認為真島吾朗狂放不羈的性格與海盜身份完美契合。流暢的即時動作戰鬥滿足老粉絲對動作的渴望，橫掃各大媒體「最佳動作冒險遊戲」獎項。

雖然部分評論指出海戰系統仍有提升空間，但豐富的支線任務與誠意十足的劇情演繹完全彌補了這點。總體而言，本作證明《人中之龍》IP的高度擴展性。它不只是尋寶冒險，更是對真島吾朗這位迷人角色的深刻致敬。對於喜愛動作遊戲與大航海冒險的玩家而言，這是一部必玩的視覺與感官饗宴。

玩家將操控失憶的真島，駕駛海盜船「吾朗丸」，招募夥伴、改造船隻，探索廣闊大海。海戰一旦遭遇敵船即刻展開，玩家可砲轟攻擊並登船與敵方船長激戰。陸地上，戰鬥可在高速度的「狂犬」風格與多樣化的「海盜」風格間切換，靈活應對各種敵人，使戰鬥體驗充滿刺激與創意。

Developed by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio and released in early 2025, Yakuza 8 Spin-off: Pirates in Hawaii is the most groundbreaking action-adventure entry in the series to date. This title boldly expands the stage from the familiar streets of Kamurocho to the vast Pacific Ocean and the Hawaiian Islands, while featuring the series’ popular character Goro Majima as the sole playable protagonist for the first time. It inherits the detailed environments of Yakuza 8 while seamlessly blending “pirate adventure” with “Yakuza-style brawling,” making it, in 2026, still regarded as the wildest and most entertaining spin-off in the franchise.

The story takes place six months after the events of Yakuza 8. The legendary gangster Goro Majima drifts to a deserted island in the Pacific called Rich Island. Upon awakening, he has lost all his memories, with only a young boy and a small tiger by his side. In a twist of fate, Majima becomes the captain of the pirate ship Goromaru. Players embark on a thrilling journey across Hawaii’s mysterious islands, the lawless “Madlantis,” and uncover hidden conspiracies beneath the deep blue sea. The narrative balances Majima’s trademark absurd humor with moments of heartfelt toughness, showing how this “Mad Dog of Shimano” redefines what it means to have true pirate spirit in the modern world.

In terms of gameplay, the title returns to the series’ fast-paced real-time action combat. Majima wields two completely different combat styles. The first is the classic “Mad Dog” style, featuring lightning-fast combos with teleportation and short blades. The second is a brand-new “Pirate” style, allowing players to swing curved swords, fire pistols, and even use grappling hooks to move vertically across the battlefield. A new “jumping” mechanic elevates combat from flat planes to fully three-dimensional arenas.

Beyond land battles, the naval combat system is the game’s heart. Players can upgrade their pirate ship Goromaru and recruit specialized crew members to form the ultimate pirate team. Sea battles combine intense cannonfire tactics with adrenaline-pumping boarding actions. When players disable enemy ships and lead their crew onto the deck for chaotic melee fights, the sense of sweeping victory takes action gameplay exhilaration to its peak. Coupled with Hawaii’s vibrant scenery and numerous mini-games, the overall pacing remains tight and full of surprises.

Yakuza 8 Spin-off: Pirates in Hawaii has received extremely high praise, widely recognized as the most experimental and successful entry in the series. Reviewers have lauded the “remarkable chemistry of merging pirate elements with Yakuza themes,” noting that Majima’s wild personality perfectly complements his pirate identity. The smooth real-time combat satisfies longtime fans craving action, earning the game multiple “Best Action-Adventure” awards from the media.

While some critics feel that the naval system could still be deeper, the rich side quests and heartfelt storytelling more than compensate. Overall, the game demonstrates the immense expandability of the Yakuza IP. It is not just a treasure-hunting adventure but also a deep tribute to the charismatic Goro Majima. For fans of action games and high-seas adventure, this spin-off offers an unmissable visual and sensory feast, combining thrilling combat, immersive exploration, and engaging new characters voiced by a star-studded cast.

Players guide the memory-lost Majima as he sets sail on the pirate ship Goromaru, recruiting companions, customizing the ship, and exploring the open sea. Engaging naval battles erupt as soon as enemy ships are spotted, with cannon attacks followed by boarding maneuvers to defeat rival captains and claim treasure islands. On land, combat alternates between the high-speed “Mad Dog” style and the versatile “Pirate” style, allowing players to creatively and dynamically defeat enemies across both land and sea, delivering a uniquely exhilarating action experience.