Spanning five decades, Stranger Than Heaven follows Makoto Daito’s rise from a mysterious Japanese-American outcast to an infamous hustler and gangster in 1900s Japan. Starting from his traumatic life in the segregated United States, to his eventual arrival in Japan, Daito’s growth leads him to being a scrappy dock and factory worker hustling on the streets of Kokura, to an up-and-coming nightclub owner and businessman in Osaka, and eventually to one of the key figures of the Tojo Clan in 1960s Shinjuku, shaping the lives of Kazuma Kiryu and Ichiban Kasuga in future entries.
Stranger Than Heaven is a standalone story, but it also offers some intriguing narrative flooring for the Like a Dragon series. As one of Sega’s most groundbreaking franchises, it evolved from a cult-favorite action-brawler about protagonist Kazuma Kiryu’s corrals with the Japanese criminal underworld, to a larger series where players navigate the streets of the fictional Kamurocho and the web of intrigue that shapes its future. The series also balances over-the-top action and goofy humor with its enduring protagonists, and its spin-offs tackle even more off-the-wall experiences, like turn-based RPG combat and arcade-style action, while keeping the serious tone.
Like a Dragon has always had a schlocky, silly undercurrent, even as it delivers earnest storytelling with heartfelt moments as players dive into the fun and culture of Japan’s urban nightlife. Stranger Than Heaven focuses on a more serious storyline with Makoto Daito and his adventures in 1900s Japan; in many ways, it felt akin to a similar decades-spanning crime story like Sergio Leone’s Once Upon a Time in America. Still, the familiar combat beats and activities of a Like a Dragon game are present, but with a deeper focus on immersing you in a world slowly stepping into the modern era.
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