Knives, mallets, hammers – all this and more are at Makoto’s disposal as he goes about his journey in Stranger Than Heaven. But Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio didn’t simply recycle the combat from Like a Dragon. Instead, its new IP offers a brand new system that producer Hiroyuki Sakamoto described as “one of the biggest features.”
So how does it work? Well, you essentially control the left and right sides of Makoto’s body independently. Pressing RB and RT (or R1 and R2) will attack with his right arm and leg, while LB and LT/L1 and L2 attack with his left arm and leg. It’s highly reminiscent of Tekken, which maps a limb to each face button.
When pressing these buttons in sequence, Makoto will react accordingly and execute combos. You can charge attacks, use one arm to block and strike with the other, or press LT and RT/L2 and R2 to tackle and mount an enemy. Tackling them near the stairs results in both parties tumbling down.
Of course, alongside more basic tools and weapons, you’ll also discover “masterworks of old” and “brand-new inventions of the era” with unique passives and special attacks. Upgrading these will increase their potency, though you’ll likely have to find the right materials.
And in true RGG Studio fashion, you have cinematic combat sections, including (but not limited to) fisticuffs on a moving vehicle, instakill attacks, and context-sensitive actions. For example, one scene features Makoto holding an enemy while they’re punched in the stomach and quietly knocked out.
Launching this Winter, Stranger Than Heaven is shaping up into quite the release, especially when factoring in the story and showman system. It’s coming to Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC.
