Many Yakuza fans were thinking it, and now it’s been confirmed: the mysterious Stranger Than Heaven is in fact an origin story for the series, in which the pivotal Tojo Clan is founded.
The game’s story spans 50 years, and you’ll be playing as the same character — Makoto Daito — throughout. RGG Studio’s deep dive, which we’ve embedded below, has all the details.
It covers the overarching plot, beginning with Makoto’s voyage to Japan from the US; a journey he takes in order to escape the prejudices of his homeland.
The game’s got an all-star cast made up of actors and singers, including Snoop Dogg, who voices a smuggler named Orpheus. Of course.
Despite its obvious link to the Yakuza franchise, Stranger Than Heaven isn’t your typical Kiryu-style experience in terms of gameplay.
You’ll still be exploring cities, beating down punks, and trying your hand at a whole bunch of minigames, but there’s a surprising emphasis on music, and combat is doing something completely new.
First off, Makoto’s got a really good ear for sounds and beats. He can listen to and then repurpose audio from around the city in order to create music, which is then performed by bands that you put together.
Basically, managing these bands seems to be the game’s most prominent side activity, and a great way to rack up funds for your more… demanding endeavours.
Speaking of which, combat is, interestingly, built around controlling the left and right sides of Makoto’s body independently. Your left and right shoulder buttons and triggers correspond to different attacks and actions.
For example, you can block with your left arm and then strike back with your right. Or you can grab an opponent with one hand and throw a punch with the other.
Again, interesting stuff, and there’s apparently a focus on weapons as well. Makoto can equip blades, hammers, and other armaments, each with their own techniques. You can upgrade your favourite weapons as well.
And that’s the rundown of what’s shaping up to be a rather ambitious project. RGG Studio says more info will be shared “soon”, ahead of the game’s vague “winter” release window on PS5.
Are you sold on Stranger Than Heaven yet? Tackle someone to the ground in the comments section below.
Robert (or Rob if you’re lazy) is an assistant editor of Push Square, and has been a fan of PlayStation since the 90s, when Tekken 2 introduced him to the incredible world of video games. He still takes his fighting games seriously, but RPGs are his true passion. The Witcher, Persona, Dragon Quest, Mass Effect, Final Fantasy, Trails, Tales — he’s played ’em all. A little too much, some might say.