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Stranger Than Heaven Reinvents Yakuza Combat Around the Shoulder Buttons, Replacing Heat Moves With Stamina-Based Counterattacks

A character in a fur-collared coat and hat adjusting their hat in front of an orange background, with the words 'STRANGER THAN HEAVEN' prominently displayed.

The Stranger Than Heaven demo available at Summer Game Fest 2026 was solely focused on combat across three distinct periods of Japanese history. No side quests, no diversions; just a man, a hammer, and a plan. There is certainly an interesting narrative hook at play here, with the characters aging as the story progresses, but I will reserve my final judgment until I can sit down and explore Shinjuku at my own pace. All I can say is that Ryu ga Gotoku Studio has clearly spent its time creating some true-to-reality cities that each feel like they’re in their own […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/stranger-than-heaven-combat-shoulder-buttons-stamina-counterattacks/