RGG Studio’s Stranger Than Heaven demands precision over button-mashing in new hands-on

Sega has confirmed that a digitally resurrected Tupac Shakur will appear in its forthcoming title, Stranger Than Heaven, during the company’s Summer Game Fest showcase. The announcement, which saw Snoop Dogg take the stage to discuss working with the rapper’s estate, marked the first public look at the project from RGG Studio. The developer, best known for the long-running Yakuza series, has positioned the new title as a distinct evolution of its formula, set against the backdrop of mid-twentieth century Japan.

A hands-on demo of the game highlighted an entirely new fighting system that diverges sharply from the button-mashing dynamics characteristic of previous entries in the franchise. The mechanics require precise timing and utilise a left-right input scheme, with separate controls for blocking and parrying on each side. Attack inputs are categorised by limb, allowing players to hold triggers to charge slower, harder-hitting blows or combine inputs for grapple moves if timed correctly.

The combat system introduces a level of tactical depth absent in earlier titles. Players can block an attack with one side while readying a counter with the other, creating opportunities for complex exchanges. Grab moves are described as resembling street brawls, featuring environmental interactions such as tackling enemies through furniture or tumbling down stairs. Once an opponent is pinned, players can deliver follow-up strikes, a mechanic that contrasts with the more stylised violence of the studio’s past works.

Weaponry has been elevated to a core component of the gameplay loop. The protagonist, Daigo, can find and upgrade items such as knives and mallets throughout the game. Sega has teased that the narrative, which spans 50 years across five different cities, will introduce special weapons ranging from traditional masterworks to inventions from the 1960s. Some of these items feature unique attacks, particularly against downed enemies, adding another layer to the combat encounters.

During the preview, three distinct combat scenarios were demonstrated, ranging from group fights against thugs to a challenging bout against a gang leader wielding a crowbar. A boss fight against a katana-wielding opponent in Osaka required Souls-like levels of timing, with the enemy healing if left idle and goading the player before attacking. While the demo focused heavily on combat, Sega has teased potential showpiece moves, including fights on moving vehicles, hinting at a return to some of the series’ more absurd contextual interactions.

Stranger Than Heaven is scheduled for release on 15 January 2027 for PS5, Steam, and Xbox Series S/X. The title represents a significant shift for RGG Studio, aiming to balance the precision of its new combat system with the narrative scope that has defined its previous successes.