SEGA and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio has announced that Stranger Than Heaven, previously known as Project Century, will launch this winter for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. Stranger Than Heaven will be available day one with Xbox Game Pass, and more details were revealed during the “Xbox Presents: A Special Look at Stranger Than Heaven” broadcast.
Beginning in the year 1915, the story stars Makoto Daito (voiced by Yu Shirota), a young Japanese-American boy from San Francisco who searches for a better life by heading to a ship bound for Japan. After being caught by Orpheus, voiced by Snoop Dogg, Makoto heads to Japan and becoming his sidekick, allowing him to learn the tools of the underworld trades. Makoto is joined by an older boy named Yu Shinjo, who is voiced by Dean Fujioka. Shinjo is ambitious, and those ambitions initially drive a wedge between them.
Stranger Than Heaven takes place over five stages or acts in the following cities:
- Kokura, Fukuoka (1915)
- Kure, Hiroshima (1929)
- Minami, Osaka – (1943)
- Atami, Shizuoka – (1951)
- Kamurocho, Shinjuku – (1965)
As a showman, Makoto can hone into various sounds and tunes on the streets to gain inspiration for original compositions. He can handle his promotion and manage performances, and he’s assisted by Takashi, who is voiced by Satoshi Fujihara from Official Hige Dandism. Tori Kelly is also part of the cast as Suzy, and she performs the theme song alongside singer-songwriter Ado.
Stranger Than Heaven features a new combat system where players can perform attacks with the triggers and bumper buttons, each of which are tied to Makoto’s left arm, right arm, left leg, and right leg, respectively. There’s a visceral feel to combat that places emphasize on Makoto’s hard strikes, which can be charged and unleashed on opponents.
Get the full details from SEGA and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio below:
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
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:
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- 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.
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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.
