SEGA of America and Xbox have pulled back the curtain on RGG Studio’s next major title, STRANGER THAN HEAVEN, during a dedicated broadcast event titled “Xbox Presents: A Special Look at STRANGER THAN HEAVEN”.
The showcase delivered a deep dive into the upcoming action-adventure game, revealing its sprawling narrative, ambitious world design, innovative combat system, and a surprising musical collaboration featuring global artists.
A 50-Year Crime Saga Across Five Cities
STRANGER THAN HEAVEN tells a sweeping 50-year story focused on survival, identity, and belonging. The narrative follows Makoto Daito, a young man born to an American father and Japanese mother, who faces discrimination and tragedy before embarking on a life-altering journey.
Set across five distinct eras and cities inspired by real Japanese locations, the game spans decades of social change and underworld conflict:
- 1915, Kokura (Fukuoka) – A smoke-filled industrial town driven by labour and foundries.
- 1929, Kure (Hiroshima) – A naval stronghold heavily influenced by organised crime.
- 1943, Minami (Osaka) – A chaotic entertainment district shaped by wartime tension.
- 1951, Atami (Shizuoka) – A post-war seaside resort built on tourism and recovery.
- 1965, Shinjuku (Tokyo) – A dense, neon-lit district full of danger and opportunity.
Star-Studded International Cast
The broadcast confirmed a large international cast featuring well-known names including Snoop Dogg, Tori Kelly, Ado, Satoshi Fujihara, Moeka Hoshi, Akio Otsuka, and others.
The game also features a CG recreation of legendary actor Bunta Sugawara, created with family permission and archival materials provided by Toei Company, with Takashi Ukaji providing the character’s voice.
A Musical Collaboration Like No Other
One of the biggest surprises from the showcase was the reveal of the game’s original theme song, “STRANGER THAN HEAVEN”, performed by Snoop Dogg, Satoshi Fujihara, Ado, and Tori Kelly.
This unusual global collaboration reinforces the game’s focus on blending cultures, eras, and creative expression.
Life of a Showman Gameplay System
Beyond combat and story, STRANGER THAN HEAVEN introduces a unique “Showbiz” system where protagonist Makoto evolves into a performer and producer.
Players will gather sounds from the world—from street noise to environmental ambience—and use them to craft original music tracks. These can then be turned into full stage performances, with players managing setlists, performers, and production design.
This system transforms progression into a creative journey, blending exploration with artistic expression as Makoto rises from hardship to stardom.
Innovative Combat Built Around Instinct
RGG Studio is also introducing a new combat system described as intuitive, reactive, and brutally dynamic.
Players control both sides of Makoto’s body independently, allowing for fluid combinations of attacks, counters, grapples, and weapon use. Combat is designed to feel physical and reactive rather than traditional combo-based systems.
Weapons such as knives, hammers, and katanas can also be upgraded and integrated into fights, adding variety across different eras.
A New Direction for RGG Studio
STRANGER THAN HEAVEN represents one of the most ambitious projects yet from RGG Studio, known for its emotionally driven storytelling and action-heavy gameplay.
The game is scheduled for release this winter and will launch on Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, Xbox Cloud Gaming, Steam, and PlayStation 5.
Players can wishlist the game now via official storefronts including Xbox and other platform stores.
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