The new game by RGG Studio differs from the team’s previous projects. Formally, it will be a prequel to the Like a Dragon / Yakuza series, though there will be no familiar characters. Many locations have been created from scratch, and the game will be released only on modern consoles and PC.
Major changes have also affected the combat system. For the first time, players will be able to strike separately with their left and right hands using the controller’s bumpers and triggers. Blocking and parrying attacks have also become significantly more important, so battles will require greater activity.
Producer Hiroyuki Sakamoto said in an interview that the team adjusted the difficulty balance and control responsiveness following feedback from the demo.
In addition to difficulty settings, the game will feature special items that automatically restore health and grant other advantages. Some items will allow players to win using only basic left- and right-hand strikes. They are available right from the start, and the only downside is that those around will immediately notice them: technically, they are clothing. Meanwhile, the maximum difficulty will remain “extremely high”.
Stranger Than Heaven will be released on January 15, 2027, on Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC.