In *Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii*, assembling the perfect pirate crew is crucial to swiftly navigating through the game's engaging storyline. Early recruitment of key members can significantly accelerate your progress, especially during Chapter 2, when Goro and his crew first arrive at Madlantis, a sanctuary for pirates hosting naval battles in the Coliseum. Here, you delve deeper into the backstories of Jason and Masaru, learning about their disbanded crew due to a betrayal that cost them dearly. To participate in these thrilling naval battles and advance the plot, Goro must not only upgrade his ship but also recruit five new crew members, all while needing to raise $10,000 for repairs.

To help you quickly overcome these early-game challenges, here are five crew members you can recruit with minimal effort:

Nickelle Kidman

A playful nod to Nicole Kidman, Nickelle can be found lounging by the beach in Honolulu. To enlist her, your crew simply needs a two-star rating, which you should have by completing the main story missions up to this point. If not, you can quickly earn this rating by engaging in treasure hunts, battling thugs, or participating in naval skirmishes.

Hammerhead

Located on the second floor of the Honolulu shopping center, Hammerhead's recruitment requires you to defeat him in combat. This is a fast method to secure one of the five required crew members. His relatively low health makes him an easy target, allowing you to swiftly add him to your ranks and push forward in *Pirate Yakuza*.

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Kenzo

Found at the docks in Honolulu, Kenzo can be recruited by either providing him with raw materials you gather during your adventures or by paying a small sum of money. Given the abundance of materials and cash from your travels and treasure hunts, Kenzo's recruitment is both quick and cost-effective, making him a valuable asset to your crew.

Lucas

You'll find Lucas in Madlantis, where he challenges you to a fistfight after a humorous exchange with Goro. While his melee weapon adds a bit of danger to the fight, it shouldn't pose a significant challenge, especially after the boss battles you've faced in the preceding chapters.

Obispo

To recruit Obispo, dine at his restaurant in Honolulu. By engaging in nearby battles to lower your health and then purchasing meals, you can complete this task in just five visits. Although slightly more time-consuming, this method is still easier than recruiting other members who demand higher ratings or more complex tasks.

While *Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii* offers numerous other crew members with impressive stats, these five are your best bet for early-game recruitment to swiftly progress through the story. As the game advances and the challenges intensify, you can then focus on recruiting more formidable members. And those are the best crew members to recruit in the early game for *Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii*.

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