After a few hours with Yakuza studio's soulful Stranger Than Heaven, I'm smitten, but I suspect it'll be a divisive game
Who doesn't love a big swing, a bold new direction, especially when so many video game publishers seem increasingly determined to walk the safest route?
Who doesn't love a big swing, a bold new direction, especially when so many video game publishers seem increasingly determined to walk the safest route?
The short version
- While Stranger Than Heaven might look familiar at first glance - particularly if you're a fan of Like a Dragon developer RGG's other third-person action games - it differs where it counts.
- And to my mind, it's one of the most exciting games the studio has worked on in a while.
- Stranger Than Heaven tells the story of Makoto Daito, a man of half American and Japanese lineage, as he attempts to make a home for himself in Japan.
What happened
It's a tale spanning numerous decades as the country evolves - decades you'll experience first-hand as the story unfolds - blending a strong narrative throughline with striking melee combat and touches of silliness too. Its Like a Dragon heritage is clear, but it also feels like so much more.
Why it matters
Three things in particular stood out after a few hours of play: Stranger than Heaven's brilliant approach to fighting, the setting's gradual evolution through the years, and the surprisingly musical heart of it all.
Summary by Nerd News Network. Read the full article at Eurogamer via the links above and below.