Top Early Upgrades for Goro in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii

In *Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii*, you step into the boots of Goro Majima, the notorious Mad Dog of Shimano. As you navigate through the game's thrilling pirate-themed world, Goro has a plethora of skills and tricks at his disposal. Here's a guide to the best early upgrades for Goro to ensure you dominate the seas and streets of Hawaii.

Goro Majima Upgrades in Pirate Yakuza, Explained

Starting off as an amnesiac ex-yakuza with a single fighting style, Goro Majima embarks on his journey in *Pirate Yakuza*. As you progress through the main storyline, Goro unlocks new weapons and introduces the Sea Dog fighting style, opening up a fresh upgrade tree. The game features four distinct skill trees:

• Overall Stats
• Shared Abilities
• Mad Dog
• Sea Dog

These early upgrades will not only enhance your combat effectiveness but are also budget-friendly in terms of in-game currency and points.

Max Health Boost (Overall Stats)

Investing in a max health boost early on is crucial. Boss fights often come with waves of henchmen, and maintaining a high health bar is essential for crowd control. This upgrade ensures Goro can absorb hits and outlast his opponents, making it a vital choice for surviving the toughest battles in *Pirate Yakuza*.

Attack Boost (Overall Stats)

The Attack Boost is another essential early upgrade, enhancing the damage output of Goro's base attacks. With *Pirate Yakuza* reverting to the classic real-time combat of the *Yakuza* series, boosting your melee attacks is key to progressing through the story and tackling bonus content. Consider also investing in Attack Boost Plus later for even smoother future playthroughs.

Knockdown Evasion (Shared Abilities)

In battles against multiple foes, Knockdown Evasion becomes a game-changer. This upgrade allows Goro to quickly recover from heavy melee attacks or strikes by larger enemies, enabling him to swiftly return to offensive play and maintain control over the fight.

Quickstep Strike (Shared Abilities)

The Quickstep Strike upgrade enhances Goro's ability to counterattack immediately after dodging, making every encounter more manageable. This upgrade is particularly effective in early boss fights, providing an additional method to trigger Goro's heat gauge attack, thus giving you a significant edge in combat.

Grapple Counter (Shared Abilities)

The Grapple Counter upgrade is invaluable when facing crowds. It allows Goro to counter grab attacks, preventing damage and allowing for a swift retaliatory strike. This upgrade not only helps in crowd control but also turns defense into offense, a crucial skill in *Pirate Yakuza*.

Serpent Trick (Mad Dog)

Embrace the pirate life with the Mad Dog style, where Goro wields dual swords, a flintlock pistol, and a grappling hook. The Serpent Trick upgrade enables Goro to launch enemies into the air, setting up devastating aerial combos and leaving foes vulnerable to further attacks. It's perfect for managing multiple opponents at once.

Frenzy Trick (Mad Dog)

The Frenzy Trick in the Mad Dog style is all about sweeping through crowds. With this spin attack, Goro can knock down multiple enemies simultaneously, making it ideal for the naval combat side quests where you face waves of pirates. This upgrade simplifies those challenging battles significantly.

Catch ‘n’ Slash (Sea Dog)

Initially unlocked with the Mad Dog style, the Catch ‘n’ Slash upgrade enhances projectile combat. It extends the duration of the throw and allows for immediate follow-up attacks, enabling longer and more damaging combos. This upgrade is key to mastering ranged combat in *Pirate Yakuza*.

Charge ‘n’ Shoot (Sea Dog)

The flintlock pistol, while interesting, often leaves Goro vulnerable due to its long charge time. However, the Charge ‘n’ Shoot upgrade transforms this weapon into a powerhouse, capable of firing at multiple enemies and sending them flying. This upgrade makes the pistol a more practical and effective tool in Goro's arsenal.

These are the best early upgrades for Goro Majima in *Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii*, ensuring you're well-equipped to conquer the game's challenges. *Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii* is now available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.