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

In *Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii*, players step into the shoes of Goro Majima, the iconic Mad Dog of Shimano. This game introduces a variety of skills and tricks for Goro to master, and here are the top early upgrades to consider for enhancing your gameplay experience in *Pirate Yakuza*.

Goro Majima Upgrades in Pirate Yakuza, Explained

Goro Majima, known as the amnesiac ex-yakuza, starts *Pirate Yakuza* with a single fighting style in the game's first chapter. As you progress through the main storyline, Goro unlocks new weapons and the Sea Dog fighting style, which introduces a new upgrade tree. The game features four distinct skill trees:

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

Here are the recommended early upgrades in *Pirate Yakuza* that will enhance your combat effectiveness without requiring a significant investment of in-game currency or points.

Max Health Boost (Overall Stats)

One of the first upgrades you should prioritize is the Max Health Boost. Boss fights in *Pirate Yakuza* often involve numerous henchmen, and having a robust health bar is crucial for effective crowd control. This upgrade allows Goro to withstand more hits, enabling you to outlast and overpower your opponents in critical battles.

Attack Boost (Overall Stats)

Another essential early upgrade is the Attack Boost, which significantly increases the damage output of Goro's base attacks. With *Pirate Yakuza* returning to the series' roots of real-time combat, enhancing melee attacks is vital for both the main story and additional content. Consider also investing in the Attack Boost Plus for even smoother future playthroughs.

Knockdown Evasion (Shared Abilities)

When facing multiple enemies, evading all attacks becomes challenging, and you're likely to be knocked down by heavy blows. The Knockdown Evasion upgrade is perfect for Goro, as it enables a swift recovery after being hit by melee weapons or heavy attacks, allowing you to quickly resume your offensive strategy.

Quickstep Strike (Shared Abilities)

The Quickstep Strike upgrade is crucial for enhancing your combat efficiency. It allows Goro to strike enemies immediately after dodging, making every fight easier and more manageable. This upgrade is particularly useful in early boss fights, providing an additional way to trigger Goro's heat gauge attack.

Grapple Counter (Shared Abilities)

The Grapple Counter upgrade is excellent for managing crowds of enemies. It enables Goro to counter grab attacks, preventing damage and allowing him to retaliate with his own attack, making it a valuable asset in chaotic battles.

Serpent Trick (Mad Dog)

The Mad Dog Style, Goro's signature pirate fighting technique, equips him with dual swords, a flintlock pistol, and a grappling hook. The Serpent Trick is an excellent early upgrade within this style, allowing Goro to launch enemies into the air, setting up opportunities for devastating aerial combos and leaving foes vulnerable.

Frenzy Trick (Mad Dog)

The Frenzy Trick in the Mad Dog style is all about crowd control. This spin move knocks down multiple enemies in Goro's path, making it particularly effective in the game's naval combat side quests where you face waves of pirates. This upgrade will significantly ease those challenging encounters.

Catch ‘n’ Slash (Sea Dog)

The Catch 'n' Slash attack is available from the start of the Sea Dog style, but upgrading it enhances Goro's projectile-based combat. The upgraded throw lasts longer and allows for immediate follow-up attacks, extending the duration of your combos.

Charge ‘n’ Shoot (Sea Dog)

The flintlock pistol in the Mad Dog style is a unique ranged weapon, but its long charge time can leave Goro vulnerable. Upgrading to Charge 'n' Shoot makes the pistol more practical, allowing Goro to shoot multiple enemies at once and send them flying, enhancing its utility in combat.

These are the best early upgrades for Goro Majima in *Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii*, designed to optimize your gameplay and make your journey through the game more enjoyable and successful.

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