Among the new characters introduced in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii are the Rich family, consisting of father Jason and his children Naomi, Moana, and Noah. Jason is a former treasure hunter, a job he returns to alongside his young son Noah as members of Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii's Goro Pirates. In addition to being fun and compelling new characters for Goro Majima to interact with, the Rich family also feature uniquely themed names suiting the game's nautical aesthetic and island setting.
Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii's Cosmetics Are One Of Its Greatest Strengths
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii's cosmetic outfits for Goro Majima are an excellent tribute to his previous roles in the series.
The Rich Family Are Named After Famous Sailors
As is fitting for a family of treasure hunters and pirates who live on a Hawaiian island, every member of the Rich family - except for Noah's pet Goro the tiger cub, of course, who got his name simply because he "looked like a Goro" - is named after a famous historical or mythological figure or media character associated with sailing and the ocean.
Jason Rich - Named For The Captain Of The Argo
The patriarch of the Rich family is Jason Rich, who was once a treasure hunter before settling down to open a bar on Rich Island. He originally became a treasure hunter due to rumors of a legendary item that could cure Noah's asthma, and is ultimately convinced by Majima and Noah to take to the seas once again. He is named for the mythological Greek hero who captained the ship Argo and led the Argonauts. Like Pirate Yakuza's Jason, the mythical Jason famously sought a treasure - in his case, the Golden Fleece, which would allow him to become king.
Naomi Rich - Named For A Famous Female Sailor
The oldest of Jason Rich's three children, Naomi comes into conflict with her family because she has taken a job in Madlantis, the pirate haven, working for its leader, Queen Michele. She is a skilled fighter who serves Michele as a bodyguard. Her name comes from Dame Naomi James, the second woman to sail around the world solo. James made her famous trip in 1977 and completed it in 272 days, breaking the previous solo sailing record at the time.
Moana Rich - Named For Disney's Wayfinder
Moana Rich is the middle child of the Rich Family. She does not travel on the Goromaru with Jason and Noah, instead staying on Rich Island to run Bar Esperanza in her father's absence. Her name comes from Moana, the titular character of the Disney films Moana and Moana 2. Moana is a brave wayfinder who loves to sail and shares a special connection with the ocean. Pirate Yakuza's Moana shares her namesake's headstrong personality and strong leadership skills, as she runs the bar entirely on her own for most of the game.
Noah Rich - Named For The Biblical Figure
The youngest of the family, Noah Rich dreams of travel and exploration but has been stuck on Rich Island his entire life due to his asthma. He finally gets to fulfill his dream of sailing when he joins the Goromaru as a crew member. His name comes from Noah of the Bible, who built an ark which he, along with his family and two of each kind of animal, sailed during the Great Flood.
While the Biblical Noah is a far more reluctant sailor than the eager young boy of Pirate Yakuza, the two do share one key feature: their love for animals. Noah adopts Goro the tiger cub, and later encourages Majima to rescue other animals throughout Hawaii and bring them to live in the Goro Kingdom on Rich Island, where the unlikely duo takes very good care of them.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 81 /100 Critics Rec: 84%
- Released
- February 21, 2025
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Blood, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio
- Publisher(s)
- Sega
