Sega Advances Release of Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii to Avoid Competition with Monster Hunter Wilds

Exciting news for fans of the gaming world as the release date for the much-anticipated title, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, has been moved up to February 21, 2025. This adjustment aims to steer clear of a scheduling conflict with the highly popular game, Monster Hunter Wilds. In a recent video update from Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, the game's producer, Masayoshi Yokoyama, announced the new release date, which is now one week earlier than the previously set date of February 28.

This decision follows closely after Capcom revealed that Monster Hunter Wilds would also debut on that same date. While Yokoyama didn't explicitly name Monster Hunter, he expressed the desire for fans to enjoy their experience without concerns about competing game launches, highlighting a spirit of camaraderie in the gaming community. Both the Monster Hunter and Like a Dragon franchises hail from Japan, and while they belong to different genres, the rationale behind Sega's and Capcom’s decision is clear—they want to ensure that both titles can shine without rivalry on the same day.

Yokoyama emphasized that the early release is partly due to smoother-than-anticipated development, alongside a commitment to delivering the game to global players as quickly as possible. He also encouraged newcomers to explore the pirate-themed adventure, suggesting that even those unfamiliar with the series would find it enjoyable. Following that, he hopes players will appreciate the leisurely pace of the hunting experience.

Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii serves as a spin-off sequel to Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, which marks the eighth major installment in the Yakuza/Like a Dragon franchise (ninth if Yakuza 0 is included). The story centers around the beloved character Goro Majima, who embarks on a journey as a pirate after losing his memory.

A trailer released during the October Xbox Partner Showcase offered fans a thrilling look at ship combat reminiscent of Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag, in addition to showcasing the return of the cherished character Taiga Saejima. This hints at richer connections to the main series than previously speculated.