Stranger Than Heaven preview: all the makings of a unique off-beat adventure from RGG Studio

Date:
Wed, 21 Oct 2026 14:00:00 +0000

Description:
After four hours playing Stranger Than Heaven, I'm looking forward to
spending a lot more time in RGG Studio's fascinating and fearless new spin on the Yakuza and Like a Dragon series.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Stranger Than Heaven is exactly the sort of game I want to champion. Its rare to see a team of young developers given a significant budget and seemingly generous freedom to
create a half-century-spanning epic that tackles heavy themes while taking bold risks with both the combat and music-influenced management game at its core.

My four-hour whistlestop tour across several of the games time periods
between 1915 and 1965 in this latest fantastical tale from the Japanese criminal underworld did make it hard to see just how well all of this
ambition from RGG Studio will come together in the end. But I havent really stopped thinking about it since. And when youve played and previewed dozens (maybe hundreds) of games, its harder to find ones that leave a mark like
that ones that genuinely leave you wanting to play and see more. Latest Videos From TechRadar Watch full video here:

What I admire most about Stranger Than Heaven is that it knows what it wants to be and fully commits to that idea to create its own unique vibe. (Image credit: Future / Sega) Music is the throughline. On one side, it's the way
the protagonist, Makoto Daito, finds his place in a hostile world, as a way for him to break down barriers and overcome prejudice he faces as a Japanese-American immigrant. You may like My first 90 minutes wandering through Silent Hill: Townfall's 90s Scottish town were atmospheric and
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There is a level of detail and adoration in the musical performances I saw in-game that made it easy to get swept up in the atmosphere whether it was a professional big band showstopper full of belting brass, or an impromptu sing-a-long that draws in a large crowd on the streets of Kokura. Play it, Daito Music is also a fundamental part of several other aspects of the game. Mainly, its a key part of the main management mini-game in Stranger Than Heaven . Instead of running a hostess club or a confectionery shop as we've seen in Yakuza and Like a Dragon , Daito works as a promoter in the showbiz business. That involves creating tunes, hiring talent, scoping out venues, drawing in punters, and making sure performances run smoothly. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

I dabbled with putting on a show or two, and can see how it has the potential to be another all-consuming distraction that RGG is known for, diverting you away from the main story for many hours. Theres a satisfaction to tinkering with all aspects of the performance to rake in the most cash, ensuring youve got the best singers and musicians performing the right sort of music in the right venue to suit the audiences mood. (Image credit: Future / Sega) What also keeps that music throughline in other areas of the game is the way you draw inspiration for your next tracks and shows from the world around you. Those sparks also come from the combat, with small flashes or cues as kicks and punches fly that you can focus in on to unlock new sounds, instruments,
or playing styles.

Its a nice way to tie the game together, although Im very aware that combat was a point of contention for some in earlier previews. I definitely
struggled to grasp it fully in the beginning, but I was starting to get into the flow of it by the time I was wrapping up my time with the game. It has
its own rhythm, swapping out flashy attacks and arcade-style simplicity from prior Yakuza games for more grounded and messy fistfights. What to read next Final Fantasy Resonance preview: an exciting old-school RPG steeped in fan service Wo Long 2: Wings of Ember's preview just made my 2027 game list
longer The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales review: great gameplay, underwhelming narrative Mastering the art It does require a bit of controller contortion to execute fully, with actions for your left and right hands and legs split across the left and right bumpers and triggers. Throw in directional blocking, perfect parries with spot-on timing, and the need to dodge some attacks, and its a lot to hold in your head and execute with ease. (Image credit: Future / Sega) Weapons add another dynamic, ranging from swords, knives, and batons to more improvised weaponry such as crowbars and a giant wooden mallet. These can be found or bought and switched between mid-combat to give you a bit more fighting power against multiple foes or tougher enemies.

Oh, and theres willpower too: a resource that you and opponents have that can be whittled down with repeated attacks, eventually causing you or them to
fall to the floor when its emptied. You can then punish them with more severe finishers or find yourself fending off an assault while prone so you can get back on your feet.

It is a lot. And with pretty much all of these elements introduced from the first fight, I was getting beat up fairly regularly for a while. As I say, though, I eventually grew to like it with more practice, and I found myself taking down a few of the tougher enemies that are hiding around the games different locations in some extended but rewarding duels. (Image credit: Future / Sega) Those fights are just one of the many distractions that are dotted around the games towns, which include all sorts of games to play,
items to find, and arenas to fight in. Even just exploring the spaces was fascinating, especially wandering through the entertainment capital of Sotenbori. It hits you with an overwhelming cacophony and a barrage of lights that RGG fans will be eager to experience in this different time period.

I think thats what I appreciated most about Stranger Than Heaven : it does exist within that same universe of the existing RGG games, but is its own adventure in a new and confident direction.

Yes, its building off the Yakuza and Like A Dragon elements that are clearly in its DNA in terms of the mix of brawling and business management, as well as its approach to story and presentation. But it feels like its own evolution. Or, to speak in the games terms, its several familiar melodies and motifs that have been remixed into a surprising new composition.

Stranger Than Heaven launches on PlayStation 5 , Xbox Series X and Series S
, and PC on January 25, 2027. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/gaming/stranger-than-heaven-sees-rgg-studio-put-a-ne w-spin-on-the-familiar-yakuza-and-like-a-dragon-formula-with-a-bold-ambitious- and-unique-origin-story


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