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SEGA’s September 17, 2026 Tokyo Game Show presentation introduced opening-scene footage from Stranger Than Heaven and highlighted three settings: Kokura, Fukuoka; Kure, Hiroshima; and Minami, Osaka. Kokura is set in 1915 and Kure in 1929. The footage and publisher’s descriptions connect these city environments to exploration, local activities, Makoto Daito’s progression, combat, and show-business gameplay.
What the new footage shows in Kokura and Kure
SEGA’s TGS presentation introduces the game’s opening scene and gives a closer look at Kokura and Kure, alongside Minami. The two cities are not interchangeable backdrops: the publisher frames each around a different era and urban identity, with activities suited to exploring and spending time there. SEGA’s September 17, 2026 TGS presentation
| Setting | Era | How SEGA describes it | Activities and context announced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kokura, Fukuoka | 1915 | A busy working city where older streets sit alongside ironworks, factory chimneys, trains, and trams. | Shops and facilities, arm wrestling, menko, beigoma, exploring homes, fishing, and tram travel. |
| Kure, Hiroshima | 1929 | A naval-port city shaped by shipbuilding, naval culture, slopes, waterways, and a growing leisure culture. | Many activities from Kokura return; SEGA also identifies a public bath and tehonbiki, a gambling game. |
Kokura: industry and everyday diversions in 1915
SEGA presents Kokura as a place where industrial growth and older streets coexist. The mix of factories and transport gives the city a working rhythm, while its shops and activities offer ways to engage with daily life. The announced diversions include arm wrestling and traditional games such as menko and beigoma, as well as fishing and riding the tram.
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Kure: a port city with naval roots in 1929
Kure’s identity in the game centres on its naval port and shipbuilding. SEGA also describes slopes and waterways, with leisure culture becoming more visible. A public bath and tehonbiki distinguish the announced Kure activities from Kokura’s list.
#1 Best Overall
- Face Down Fate: San Francisco, 1915. Orphaned and persecuted for his mixed American and Japanese heritage, young Makoto Daito sneaks aboard a mysterious ship. Rejected by the United States, he risks everything to seek belonging in his mother’s homeland: Japan.
- 5 Eras, 5 Cities: The story unfolds across a version of Japan that may have existed in another life, immersing you in 5 sprawling cities: 1915, Kokura, Fukuoka; 1929, Kure, Hiroshima; 1943, Minami, Osaka; 1951, Atami, Shizuoka; and 1965, Shinjuku, Tokyo.
- Extreme Violence: Experience this struggle through the raw brutality of an evolving combat system that feels alive. You won't just control Makoto Daito, you'll become him—moving his left and right sides independently to attack, defend, and force your way to victory.
- Life of a Showman: Early on, Makoto's guide and mentor discovers his hidden talent for music, and before long, Makoto finds himself not only singing a tune or two but stepping into the role of a showman, producing a variety of incredible acts throughout all of Japan.
- Collector's Edition includes: STRANGER THAN HEAVEN Base Game (Xbox Series X|S or PlayStation 5), Deluxe Upgrade & Pre-Order Bonus DLC Codes, Exclusive SteelBook Case, Exclusive 12-Inch Vinyl Record, and Exclusive Collector’s Edition Box
Where the cities fit in the story
Stranger Than Heaven follows Makoto Daito across five eras and cities, from 1915 to 1965. The official site lists Kokura, Kure, Minami, Atami, and Shinjuku as the settings. SEGA describes Makoto as a teenager born to an American father and Japanese mother who leaves San Francisco for Japan after being treated as an outcast. Official STRANGER THAN HEAVEN site · SEGA’s May 7, 2026 overview
| Setting | Era | Publisher-described character |
|---|---|---|
| Kokura, Fukuoka | 1915 | Industrial city blending older streets and modern transport. |
| Kure, Hiroshima | 1929 | Naval-port and shipbuilding city with emerging leisure culture. |
| Minami, Osaka | 1943 | Entertainment district under wartime strain, with shortages and controls alongside theaters, bright streets, and dark alleys. |
| Atami, Shizuoka | 1951 | Era and city confirmed on the official site; further character detail was not stated there. |
| Shinjuku, Tokyo | 1965 | Era and city confirmed on the official site; further character detail was not stated there. |
SEGA calls the setting an imagined “Japan that might have been.” A Creative Bloq hands-on preview also reports that a demo disclaimer described the game as “in no way a reproduction of actual history.” The cities’ historical framing should therefore be read as part of the game’s designed world, not as a claim of documentary reconstruction. Creative Bloq’s 2026 hands-on preview
Rank #2
- Face Down Fate: San Francisco, 1915. Orphaned and persecuted for his mixed American and Japanese heritage, young Makoto Daito sneaks aboard a mysterious ship. Rejected by the United States, he risks everything to seek belonging in his mother’s homeland: Japan.
- 5 Eras, 5 Cities: The story unfolds across a version of Japan that may have existed in another life, immersing you in 5 sprawling cities: 1915, Kokura, Fukuoka; 1929, Kure, Hiroshima; 1943, Minami, Osaka; 1951, Atami, Shizuoka; and 1965, Shinjuku, Tokyo.
- Extreme Violence: Experience this struggle through the raw brutality of an evolving combat system that feels alive. You won't just control Makoto Daito, you'll become him—moving his left and right sides independently to attack, defend, and force your way to victory.
- Life of a Showman: Early on, Makoto's guide and mentor discovers his hidden talent for music, and before long, Makoto finds himself not only singing a tune or two but stepping into the role of a showman, producing a variety of incredible acts throughout all of Japan.
How exploration, combat, and show business work together
SEGA says everyday actions such as exploring, eating, and spending time in a city contribute to Makoto’s character growth and unlock skills. That makes the local activities more than scenery: they are part of the progression system described for the game.
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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteCombat uses a distinctive control concept: players direct Makoto’s left and right sides for attacks and defense. Separately, the show-business system has Makoto find performers and musical inspiration, produce shows, and work toward revenue goals. The TGS presentation links these systems to the game’s broader movement between city life, personal development, fighting, and performance production.
Rank #3
- 🕵 INVESTIGATE THE WORLD OF STRANGER THINGS: Something is disturbing the fragile balance of the town of Hawkins. Explore the town, investigate, and solve the mystery!
- 📚 A COMPLETE AND IMMERSIVE FILE: Contains an XXL map of Hawkins, vintage Polaroids, Hawkins High School brochures, newspaper headlines, and a host of other documents...
- 🔑 ESCAPE GAME MECHANICS: Solve puzzles to unlock 7 envelopes containing additional evidence.
- 💻 DETECTIVE 2.0: Internet access is required to access an 80s Walkman, a vintage computer, and to unlock envelopes. Several levels of clues are also available on the website so you don't get stuck.
- 👨👩👦👦 A COOPERATIVE GAME: 1-6 players, ages 14 and up, 1.5 - 2 hours of playtime.
Release date and platforms
SEGA lists Stranger Than Heaven as a single-player action adventure scheduled for January 15, 2027. The announced platforms are Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, Xbox Cloud, Steam, and PlayStation 5; edition and store availability may vary, so check the official site for current details. SEGA also describes digital and physical editions, including a physical PS5 collector’s edition with a vinyl record and SteelBook. SEGA’s official game site and release information
The publisher identifies “STRANGER THAN HEAVEN” as the main theme, performed by Snoop Dogg, Satoshi Fujihara, Ado, and Tori Kelly, who also appear in the game. SEGA’s official overview
Quick Recap
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Rank #4
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