Ryu Ga Gotoku (RGG) Studios, a studio known for the series Yakuza/Like A Dragon Series, released its latest title titled Stranger Than Heaven on June 7, 2025. The first teaser was released six months earlier at the The Game Awards 2024 codenamed "Project Century", features an early 1900s street-style feel as well as the signature visual style of RGG Studios.
This game is confirmed to be the latest original IP from RGG, not part of the world of Like A Dragon. As such, the setting and characters are entirely new. What are some interesting things we already know about Stranger Than Heaven so far?
Two Story Settings with a Big Difference in Years
Stranger Than Heaven uses two different time settings: 1915 and 1943. This sparked many theories from the gaming community about how the game would use the time element in its storyline. In the context of Japanese history, 1915 falls under the Taishō era, when the political system began to shift towards democracy. Meanwhile, 1943 was in the midst of the Second World War.
While there is no official explanation of how these two periods are narratively connected, the codename Project Century (which means "century" in Indonesian) hints that the theme of time will play an important role. It could be that the game will take players through time or present a story full of flashbacks.
One or Two Protagonists?
The two trailers that have been released show the two main characters that seem to be at the center of the game's story. However, if you look at the blue color of the character's Iris, there is a possibility that the two characters are actually the same person in two different periods. The main character named "Daito" is seen appearing in both periods, which means that players will see him at a young and old age, with a difference of about 26 years from 1915 to 1943.
Interestingly, both versions of the character also appear to be in the same area of the city and interact with NPCs and events that appear to be related. This reinforces the notion that players will get to play from two different points in time within one main narrative.
More Gory Close-Range Combat
Fighting style in Stranger Than Heaven still relies on RGG Studios' signature melee combat. This time, weapons such as scythes and knives seem to be the main tools to defeat enemies. Hand-to-hand combat elements or fistfight also returns, similar to previous games from RGG. As of now, no supernatural powers have been seen in combat, so it is likely that the gameplay approach will remain realistic.
What makes it different is the level of violence and graphic effects in battle. It is obvious that the blood effects are abundant and the bodies of NPCs that no longer move after being hit, giving a more visual impression. gory compared to previous RGG games.
For those of you who are curious about the atmosphere and early gameplay of the Stranger Than HeavenYou can watch the official trailer on Sega's YouTube channel. This could be the beginning of a new journey for RGG Studios, which promises in-depth stories, complex time settings, and brutal gameplay in their next original IP.
