Stranger Than Heaven launches this winter, new characters and combat details revealed
During the Xbox Presents: A Special Look at Stranger Than Heaven showcase that just aired, Sega and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio revealed new details and a trailer for Stranger Than Heaven going over new characters, combat, locations, and more. Sega also confirmed that it will launch this winter.
Stranger Than Heaven will take place in five different cities and time periods. These are:
- 1915 - Kokura
- 1929 - Kure
- 1943 - Osaka
- 1951 - Atami
- 1965 - Shinjuku
The story follows Makoto Daito and Yu Shinjo over the course of the 50 years going across the different cities and eras. Each city has a different focus. Makoto Daito loses his father soon after they arrive in America and his mother also passes away after years of exhaustion with the prejudice against them as a Japanese mother and Makoto who couldn't speak much English at the time. This had Makoto Daito wanting to go back to Japan, his mother's hometown, instead of staying in America. After boarding a ship to try and get to Japan, Makoto and Yu run into the smuggler Orpheus (played by Snoop Dogg).
It begins in Kokura, Fukuoka in 1915. This is the destination of Orpheus' ship and an industrial area in western Japan. Kure, Hiroshima in 1929 is where the story continues. Kure focuses on shipbuilding and heavy industry, but it is also a social hub for many countries with a unique atmosphere. Kure has a labyrinth of underground waterways and hilltops as well. Minami, Osaka in 1943 sees the story head into one of Japan's big entertainment districts. This is where it is more evident how deep in foreign culture Japan has become with the Yakuza and Mafia aiming to control more.
The second last destination is Atami, Shuzuoka in 1951 which is a famous tourist destination. The story concludes in Tokyo, 1965 in Kamurocho, Shinjuku. The presentation mentioned a "tremendous secret" would be revealed here, but more details were not given.
The presentation then went on to reveal a lot of the cast from Stranger Than Heaven. The cast so far includes:
- Yu Shirota
- Dean Fujioka
- Snoop Dogg
- Moeka Hoshi
- Tori Kelly (who is also singing the main theme song)
- Akio Otsuka
- Tokuma Nishioka
- Satoshi Fujihara
- Cordell Broadus
- Ado
- Bunta Sugawara (voiced by Takashi Ukaji)
Following the story and location details, Stranger Than Heaven's presentation focused on Show Biz and finally the combat. Show Biz has Makoto discovering sounds to memorize and use in future compositions. These sounds can be found in a variety of locations ranging from animals to combat and even trains. Makoto can use these to create his own songs. These will vary based on the location, time of day, and era.
Makoto can work with composers he runs into to work with these sounds and create original compositions in-game. Makoto uses this to plan performances and promotion with other artists as a Showman. This initially appeared to be like the hostess club management mini-game, but appears to be a bit more involved based on the footage.
Stranger Than Heaven's combat system will let you control Makoto's left and right sides separately. The right shoulder button and trigger control Makoto's right side while the left buttons control his left side. Stranger Than Heaven's combat will also feature charge attacks. Weapons have been shown multiple times so far, and they will have their own upgrade system.
Stranger Than Heaven launches this winter for PS5, Xbox Series, and PC (Xbox on PC, Steam). It is also a Play Anywhere title and included in Xbox Game Pass.
You can find the full broadcast, new screenshots, and more details from Sega below
Today, Sega of America and Xbox gave viewers around the world a deeper look into the world of RGG Studio’s upcoming new game, Stranger Than Heaven, during the dedicated Xbox-hosted broadcast event, “Xbox Presents: A Special Look at Stranger Than Heaven.
Today’s special broadcast unveiled a wealth of new information about the game including its epic 50-year story, the five eras and five cities that serve as its setting, the main cast and characters, its innovative combat system and Showbiz elements tied to the protagonist’s rags-to-riches rise to success as a master showman. The broadcast also served as the debut for the game’s original theme song featuring Snoop Dogg, Satoshi Fujihara, Ado and Tori Kelly.
Stranger Than Heaven is a brand-new action-adventure game from RGG Studio, renowned for their ability to craft deeply human stories with thrilling action and combat. The game – available for wishlisting starting today – is scheduled for release this winter with Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, Xbox Cloud Gaming, Steam, and PlayStation 5.
Face Down Fate
A 50-year saga of those with nowhere to go and their desperate struggle to find a home. In 1915 San Francisco, a young boy, Makoto Daito, sneaks aboard a suspicious ship in the harbor under the cover of night. Born to an American father and a Japanese mother, Makoto faces harsh persecution due to his Asian heritage.
After losing both of his parents, Makoto decides to travel to his mother’s homeland, Japan, where a fateful encounter awaits. With nothing but the shirt on his back, Makoto soon learns, however, that his voyage across the Pacific is anything but a "free ride," and that this one choice will forever change the course of his life.
International Cast
Players can look forward to a diverse international lineup of performers featuring Yu Shirota, Dean Fujioka, Snoop Dogg, Moeka Hoshi, Tori Kelly, Akio Otsuka, Tokuma Nishioka, Satoshi Fujihara, Cordell Broadus, Ado, and Bunta Sugawara.
Regarding the Appearance of the Late, Legendary Actor Bunta Sugawara
In Stranger Than Heaven, the late and legendary actor Bunta Sugawara appears. SEGA received formal consent from his family, and, with materials provided by Toei Company, Ltd.—which produced many of Mr. Sugawara’s films, including the Battles Without Honor and Humanity— RGG Studio crafted his CG character design based on archival footage and photographs from the time.
The character’s voice is performed by actor Takashi Ukaji, who shared a close connection with Mr. Sugawara.
Theme Song
Song Name: Stranger Than Heaven
Artists: Snoop Dogg, Satoshi Fujihara, Ado, Tori Kelly
Check out the original theme song here.
Five Eras, Five Cities
Stranger Than Heaven unfolds across a version of Japan that may have existed in another life altogether, immersing players in five sprawling cities, each inspired by real locations of their respective eras.
Players will explore the following settings and times:
1915, Kokura, Fukuoka: home of what was said to be one of the world’s largest foundries, a smoke-scorched town bursting with the passion of hard-driven, equally fiery workers.
1929, Kure, Hiroshima: a port town dominated by Japan’s largest naval arsenal and heavily influenced by the presence of yakuza organizations.
1943, Minami, Osaka: the biggest entertainment district in western Japan, set against the ever-rising tension of a world at war.
1951, Atami, Shizuoka: a bustling seaside getaway synonymous with tourism in postwar Japan.
1965, Shinjuku, Tokyo: Japan’s most iconic pleasure district—a city of swirling and unpredictable chaos.
Life of a Showman
Early in the story, Makoto's guide and mentor discovers his hidden talent for music, and, before long, Makoto finds himself not only singing a tune or two but stepping into the role of a showman, producing a wide variety of incredible acts throughout Japan.
In order to get these shows off the ground, Makoto must explore the streets and scout for skilled singers and performers. He can then head out into town, collecting any and every sound he can find, to create new music: the swish of a broom, snoring of a sleepy neighbor, the rumble of passing trains, distant animal cries, even the grunts and growls of the enemies he fights.
By combining these unexpected sounds, Makoto can craft original tracks and from there, he builds his shows from the ground up— choosing the setlist, arranging the band, assigning a cast, and designing the production, all in an effort to bring each show to life. As he tours the country staging performances and captivating audiences, players will experience Makoto's rags-to-riches rise to success as a master showman.
The Most Creative, Intuitive, and Extreme Violence
The raw brutality of street fights in a time of upheaval is brought to life through an ever-changing and intuitive combat system. Players won't just control Makoto Daito, they’ll become him—moving his left and right sides independently and instinctively as they attack, defend, and force their way to victory. Follow a jab with a crushing blow, send enemies flying with a charged attack, tackle them while they stagger or pin them to the ground and unleash a relentless flurry of punches. Nothing is off the table in Makoto's world.
Players can also block enemy strikes with one hand and instantly counter with the other. Reading their moves and creating your own openings is key to coming out on top. Players will also master and enhance a wide array of weapons—knives, hammers, katanas, and more—as they fight their way through era after violent era.
