In *Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii*, players step into the shoes of Goro Majima, the legendary Mad Dog of Shimano, who brings his signature aggressive flair to the vibrant world of pirate-themed yakuza action. As you guide Goro through the game's opening chapter, he starts with a single fighting style, but as you progress, he unlocks a variety of new weapons and the innovative Sea Dog fighting style, which introduces an entirely new skill tree. The game features four distinct skill trees: Overall Stats, Shared Abilities, Mad Dog, and Sea Dog. Here are some of the most impactful early upgrades to consider for Goro, designed to enhance your gameplay without requiring an extensive investment of in-game currency or points.

Max Health Boost (Overall Stats)

A critical early upgrade for Goro is the Max Health Boost. Given the game's frequent encounters with large groups of henchmen, a robust health bar is essential for effective crowd control and survival. This upgrade allows Goro to withstand more hits, ensuring he can outlast opponents during pivotal boss fights and intense combat scenarios, making it a strategic necessity for success in *Pirate Yakuza*.

Attack Boost (Overall Stats)

Enhancing Goro's offensive capabilities, the Attack Boost is another essential early upgrade. This upgrade significantly increases the damage output of his basic attacks, aligning with the game's return to the classic, action-packed combat style of the *Yakuza* series. While the more advanced Attack Boost Plus requires additional resources, the initial boost provides a solid foundation for tackling both main story and side content effectively.

Knockdown Evasion (Shared Abilities)

In battles involving multiple foes, avoiding knockdowns becomes increasingly challenging. The Knockdown Evasion upgrade is invaluable for Goro, enabling swift recovery from heavy hits or melee weapon attacks. This ability to quickly return to an offensive stance is crucial for maintaining momentum and control during chaotic fights.

Quickstep Strike (Shared Abilities)

The Quickstep Strike upgrade enhances Goro's agility and combat effectiveness by allowing him to execute attacks immediately after dodging. This ability is a game-changer in both regular and boss fights, providing an additional tool to fill Goro's heat gauge and execute powerful attacks, making every encounter more manageable.

Grapple Counter (Shared Abilities)

Crowd control is further refined with the Grapple Counter upgrade, which prevents damage from grab attacks and allows Goro to counter with his own offensive move. This upgrade is particularly effective in situations where Goro is surrounded, turning potential threats into opportunities for attack.

Serpent Trick (Mad Dog)

In the Mad Dog style, Goro wields dual swords, a flintlock pistol, and a grappling hook, making it ideal for tackling multiple enemies simultaneously. The Serpent Trick upgrade is an excellent early choice, enabling Goro to launch opponents into the air, setting up lethal aerial combos and leaving enemies vulnerable to follow-up attacks.

Frenzy Trick (Mad Dog)

Another crowd control gem in the Mad Dog style is the Frenzy Trick, where Goro spins rapidly, knocking down any enemy in his vicinity. This move is especially useful during the game's naval combat side quests, where you face waves of pirates, ensuring you can handle large groups effectively and maintain control of the battlefield.

Catch ‘n’ Slash (Sea Dog)

The Catch ‘n’ Slash upgrade enhances the Sea Dog style's projectile-based combat, extending the duration of the throw and allowing for immediate follow-up attacks. This upgrade significantly improves the effectiveness of Goro's ranged attacks, enabling longer and more damaging combos.

Charge ‘n’ Shoot (Sea Dog)

The flintlock pistol, part of the Mad Dog style arsenal, can be transformed into a more practical weapon with the Charge ‘n’ Shoot upgrade. This upgrade reduces the time needed to charge the gun, allowing Goro to fire at multiple enemies simultaneously and push them back, enhancing its utility in combat scenarios.

These early upgrades for Goro Majima in *Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii* are designed to boost his survivability, damage output, and combat versatility, setting you up for success in the thrilling pirate yakuza world.

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is now available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.