Embark on your *Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii* adventure by assembling the most formidable pirate crew possible! Early game recruitment is key to swiftly progressing through the story. Here are five crew members who are easily acquired, ensuring a smooth start to your pirate escapades.
During Chapter 2, you'll arrive in Madlantis, a pirate sanctuary bustling with Naval Coliseum battles. This is where you'll learn about your initial crew, Jason and Masaru, and the betrayal that shattered their crew. To participate in the Coliseum and advance the story, you need to repair your ship (requiring $10,000) and recruit five crew members. These five make the process a breeze.
Early Game Crew Recruitment in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii
Nickelle Kidman

This playful nod to Nicole Kidman finds Nickelle hanging out near Honolulu's beach. To recruit her, simply achieve a two-star rating for your Goro Pirates. This is easily accomplished by completing early main story missions; you likely already have it by the time you meet her. If not, a bit of treasure hunting, some thug-bashing, or a few naval battles will quickly boost your rating.
Hammerhead

Many recruits offer three recruitment paths: payment, item exchange, or a brawl. Hammerhead, found on the second floor of Honolulu's shopping center, prefers a good old-fashioned fight. His health isn't overly high, making him a quick and easy addition to your crew.
Kenzo

Kenzo, a ship hand at Honolulu's docks, joins your crew in exchange for raw materials (easily gathered during your seafaring adventures) or a small sum of money (also readily earned). He’s a valuable addition for a minimal investment of easily obtainable resources.
Lucas

Located in Madlantis, Lucas is another recruit who enjoys a good fight. His temperamental nature leads to a humorous encounter before the inevitable brawl. Compared to other boss fights, Lucas poses little threat.
Obispo

Recruit Obispo simply by dining at his Honolulu establishment five times. Engage in nearby battles to lower your health before each meal; this triggers a unique interaction. While slightly more involved than the others, he remains a relatively easy recruit.
While many other crew members await, these five provide the fastest route to the next story milestone. Focus on these early recruits, then later seek out more powerful crew members as the challenges intensify.
Enjoy your journey in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, available now on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC!