SEGA and RGG Studio’s latest action-adventure title, STRANGER THAN HEAVEN, is scheduled to debut on January 15, 2027. The game follows Makoto Daito and Yu Shinjo, two Japanese-American outsiders, as they navigate the tumultuous backdrop of 20th century Japan. Serving as a prequel to the Like a Dragon series, it unfolds a sweeping narrative chronicling over five decades of Daito’s life, portraying a “convincing” yet fictionalized rendition of Taisho and Showa-era Japan.
In line with the Like a Dragon franchise, Stranger Than Heaven boasts an opulent ensemble, featuring acclaimed artists such as Ado and Snoop Dogg. During this year’s Summer Game Fest, RGG Studio made waves by announcing that the late hip-hop icon Tupac Shakur would also appear as a pivotal character in the game, a decision that sparked considerable debate.
Recently, we had the chance to participate in a joint media interview with RGG Studio director Masayoshi Yokoyama, where we delved into the casting decisions for the game, particularly the involvement of Snoop Dogg and Tupac Shakur.
Yokoyama shared that his philosophy on casting, which he developed while working on Yakuza 0, is to select actors based on whether they “suit the character you want to portray.” For instance, the three lieutenants of the Dojima family—portrayed by Hitoshi Ozawa, Riki Takeuchi, and Hideo Nakano—gained global acclaim not because of their international fame, but because they embodied their roles so convincingly.
“When you see the three lieutenants in Yakuza 0, you don’t immediately recognize them as renowned Japanese actors,” Yokoyama noted. “When Daisaku Kuze (played by Hitoshi Ozawa) appears on screen, your focus is entirely on the character—It’s Daisaku Kuze. Additionally, if I envision a character that would be perfect for a specific actor, I sometimes write the script with that person in mind.”
Yokoyama emphasized that celebrity cameos are not the primary focus of RGG Studio’s creations.
“Frankly, my goal as a game developer isn’t to let casting choices overshadow the actual work. I want players to immerse themselves in the gameplay and storytelling. It might seem like we’re leveraging celebrity status for attention, and I might be seen as someone who simply enjoys working with famous people. But that’s far from my intention. We continue to create games based on the lessons from Yakuza 0—that actors’ performances can significantly enhance the overall experience.”
Regarding the casting for Stranger Than Heaven, Yokoyama stated that Yu Shirota was an ideal choice for the enigmatic Makoto Daito. Given the protagonist’s status as an outcast, the team introduced characters like Orpheus and Yu Shinjo, who share similar backgrounds and struggles with Daito.
The part of Yu Shinjo was offered to Dean Fujioka, another actor with a strong musical background. As Yokoyama explained, “singing” is a central theme in Stranger Than Heaven, and the casting reflects this emphasis.
For the role of Orpheus, Yokoyama approached Snoop Dogg, whom he had met coincidentally during another project. This eventually led to the inclusion of the late Tupac Shakur in the game.
“We hadn’t initially planned for Tupac to appear in the game. It was later in development, after I’d forged a strong bond with Snoop Dogg, that we decided to include him. We needed a character of great importance to the story, and we thought Tupac would be a perfect fit. I discussed this with Snoop, who then connected us with Tupac’s family and associates. We developed the character under their guidance,” Yokoyama elaborated.
STRANGER THAN HEAVEN is slated for release on January 15, 2027 across PC (Steam), Xbox Series X❘S, and PlayStation 5. The game will also be available on Xbox Game Pass.