Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii Release Date Moved to Avoid Monster Hunter Wilds Clash

Out of nowhere. The game that was supposed to launch on February 28, 2025? Gone. Well, no, not gone—but early. On February 21, mark it down now because RGG Studio just flipped the script on us at the Xbox Partner Preview showcase. The reason? Well, it’s practical, but with a dash of something else: a behemoth lurking in the shadows, and its name? Monster Hunter Wilds. It’s not something you want to tangle with. Timing. It’s everything.

Outrunning the Monster (Hunter)

February—it’s turning into a battlefield. There are games everywhere, too many to count. You’ve got Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 and Civilization 7, both crashing onto the scene like it’s their last chance to shine, both on February 11. Then, boom! Assassin’s Creed Shadows on the 14th. Valentine’s Day? Please, assassins don’t have time for that. And on February 18, here comes Avowed. But then, the real showstopper, the titan lurking on the horizon: Monster Hunter Wilds, coming in hot on February 27. One day later, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii was supposed to launch, but RGG knew better.

You can’t stand in the shadow of a monster. You’d get crushed. So what do they do? Easy—move. February 21, a whole week early. That gives the Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii a fighting chance to breathe before the storm. A tactical retreat? Sure. But it’s more than that. It’s survival. Because launching a day before Monster Hunter? Not smart. Not even close.

Masayoshi Yokoyama, the man behind RGG Studio, dropped this little surprise during the trailer reveal, and while he didn’t come right out and say, “We’re dodging Monster Hunter,” it’s pretty clear that was the play. He did mention development was ahead of schedule, but we all know there’s more to it than that. You don’t just move a game up a week without a reason.

The Art of Timing: A Delicate Dance

This isn’t the industry’s first seen a move like this, but it’s far from it. You remember Cyberpunk 2077? Back in 2020, it was like a black hole sucking all the attention, all the headlines. Games like Everspace 2 and Path of Exile did the smart thing—they moved. More recently, Alone in the Dark slipped from October 2023 to January 2024 to avoid Alan Wake 2, Cities: Skylines 2, and Spider-Man 2 all coming down like thunderstorms. Survival of the elegant, if you will.

The point? You launch at the wrong time, and you sink. It doesn’t matter how good your game is—if nobody’s playing it because they’re busy hunting monsters or swinging through skyscrapers, your launch fizzles out. And in this industry, that first week? It’s gold. So Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii gives itself that precious week, stepping out of the shadow of Monster Hunter to take its moment. Brilliant.

What Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii Brings to the Table

Now, let’s talk about this game. Why all the hype? Well, it’s the Like a Dragon series (formerly Yakuza). But this time, they’ve thrown in pirates. Yes, pirates. In Hawaii. Imagine Yakuza brawls, sword fights, and high-seas raids unfolding in the tropical sun. That’s what’s happening here: a full-on mashup of pirate chaos and the gritty underworld of the Yakuza.

The trailer teased it all—epic naval battles, hand-to-hand combat, and storylines that delve deep into the balance between pirate life and Yakuza honor. It’s not just about fighting, but ab; it’s culture clashes, personalities, the wild, and settings that push this game beyond what the series has done before. It’s fresh, explosive, and sun-soaked in a way that feels right.

The Real Game Behind the Game: The Release Date Shuffle

Make no mistake: this release date shift isn’t just about production timelines. It’s about dollars and sense, pure and simple. Launching in a sea of blockbusters can bury a game and leave it forgotten on the “to play later” list. And nobody wants that. But with this move? RGG Studio is playing chess while others are playing checkers.

Day-one sales matter. They’re the lifeblood of a game’s early success, especially in a franchise as beloved as Like a Dragon. Releasing on February 28 would’ve been a death sentence. One day before Monster Hunter Wilds? Yikes. Gamers would’ve had to make a choice, and let’s be honest—Monster Hunter wins that duel nine times out of ten. So by moving up a week, Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii clears the field, giving itself the breathing room it needs to thrive.

And while some might call it a tactical retreat, it’s the best move they could’ve made. They get their spotlight, their moment in the sun, without the looming shadow of Monster Hunter blocking the way. Intelligent, simple, effective.

What February 2025 Means for Gamers

February 2025 is going to be wild. Assassin’s Creed, Avowed, Monster Hunter, and now Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii all crammed into the same month. But with this shift, Pirate Yakuza gives itself a fighting chance. And honestly? It’s going to need it. With so many big games dropping around the same time, gamers will have their hands full.

But are you into epic pirate adventures combined with the intense, emotional storytelling of the Like a Dragon series? This is one you’re not going to want to miss. February 21, 2025—prepare for the battle of the high seas.

Call to Action:
What are you waiting for? Pre-order Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii now and be one of the first to explore the dangerous, action-packed world of pirate Yakuza. Grab those early bonuses and set sail on February 21!