The game is set in 1943, with Mako Taito as the new protagonist.
Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio (RGG), the team behind the Yakuza and Like a Dragon series, has officially lifted the curtain on its latest project: Stranger Than Heaven. Previously teased as “Project Century,” the new title was revealed with a cinematic trailer during Summer Game Fest on Saturday, 7 June. You can watch the trailer here:
A Jazz-soaked dive into 1940s Japan
The trailer immediately sets a strong tone, showcasing a stylish 1940s Japanese setting filled with vintage jazz music, classic trench coats, and period-specific cars. Much of the footage appears to take place in Sotenbori–a familiar district for fans of the Yakuza franchise, originally introduced in Yakuza 2. This fictional district looks heavily inspired by Osaka’s real-world Dotonbori area.
It opens with a woman singing in a smoky cabaret bar, suggesting a narrative backdrop set around 1943. We’re quickly introduced to the game’s protagonist, later revealed to be Mako Taito. He is seen navigating the rain-slicked streets of 1943 Japan, and several action-packed sequences show off hand-to-hand combat reminiscent of the signature brawling mechanics that RGG Studio is known for.
While full story details remain under wraps, Stranger Than Heaven looks set to deliver an open-world experience complete with gritty showdowns and narrative depth. Judging by the trailer, players will face moral decisions influenced as much by who they fight as who they choose to help. Mako Taito appears to be more than just a fighter–perhaps even an investigator–though that remains speculative for now.
Stranger Than Heaven is still in development, and does not yet have a confirmed release date.
Check out all the biggest trailers and announcements at Summer Game Fest here.
