Home EventsStranger Than Heaven: Tupac Shakur Will Be in the Game, No It’s Not a Joke

Stranger Than Heaven: Tupac Shakur Will Be in the Game, No It’s Not a Joke

by Marcus Thompson

Key Takeaways

Created with AI - we're still experimenting, so apologies if it misses the mark

  • Tupac Shakur will be featured as a character named Amaru in the game Stranger Than Heaven, set to launch in January 2027. The likeness was created using archival footage and historical photographs, with consent from his estate and the Tupac Shakur Foundation.
  • Snoop Dogg will appear as a playable character named Orpheus in Stranger Than Heaven, which also features Japanese actor Bunta Sugawara.
  • Stranger Than Heaven is a multi-cultural crime drama set in 1915 and follows Makoto Daito, the son of an American father and Japanese mother. The game features a diverse cast including Yu Shirota, Dean Fujioka, Moeka Hoshi, Tori Kelly, Ado, and Satoshi Fujihara.
  • Stranger Than Heaven will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, with day one availability on Xbox Game Pass. The fighting system offers a more dynamic and fluid combat experience compared to the Like a Dragon series.

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Stranger Than Heaven’s announcement of Tupac Shakur’s inclusion at Summer Game Fest 2026 was a remarkable reveal. Snoop Dogg took the stage to share the news that Tupac Shakur will appear in the game as a character named Amaru, utilizing his likeness. Snoop Dogg also confirmed that the collaboration received consent from Tupac Shakur’s estate and the Tupac Shakur Foundation. The developers created Amaru using archival footage and historical photographs, without employing AI. The specific method for Amaru’s voiceover, however, remains undisclosed. Tupac Shakur’s exact role and the scope of his presence in the game are also yet to be detailed. Bunta Sugawara, a notable Japanese actor, will also feature in the game. Snoop Dogg is set to appear as a playable character named Orpheus. Stranger Than Heaven launches on January 15, 2027, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The game will be available day one on Xbox Game Pass. The fighting system in Stranger Than Heaven is distinct from the Like a Dragon series, offering a more dynamic and fluid combat experience rather than turn-based battles.

Stranger Than Heaven: A Multi-Cultural Crime Drama Starring Makoto Daito and More

Set in 1915, Stranger Than Heaven follows Makoto Daito, the son of an American father and Japanese mother, who becomes entangled in a story that intertwines crime and historical drama. Rgg Studio continues its tradition of featuring a significant and diverse cast. This ensemble includes established Japanese actors such as Yu Shirota, Dean Fujioka, and Moeka Hoshi, as well as international and musical talents like Tori Kelly, Ado, and Satoshi Fujihara. Stranger Than Heaven is available for preorder in multiple editions.

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Specification
Official NameStranger Than Heaven
Brief Summary1915. A young man leaves life in San Francisco behind. Our story begins as a young boy sneaks aboard a mysterious ship in the dead of night. His name? Makoto Daito. Born to an American father and a Japanese mother.
Five eras, five cities—one huge journey across Japan. Each modeled after real locations of their respective eras. 1915, Kokura, Fukuoka. 1929, Kure, Hiroshima. 1943, Minami, Osaka. 1951, Atami, Shizuoka. 1965, Shinjuku, Tokyo.
Witness the evolution of Japanese culture and entertainment across the decades. In 1915—before modern entertainment reached Japan—players can enjoy the risqué pastimes of drinking, gambling, and pleasure buying in Kokura, Fukuoka, a town bustling with workers. By 1929, they'll experience places like Kure, Hiroshima, where foreign influences are emerging. Each era promises unique forms of entertainment.
Live out Makoto Daito's rise to fame in the world of showbiz. In the earliest chapters of our story, 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 wide variety of incredible acts throughout all of Japan.

Stranger Than Heaven is an upcoming action-adventure game developed by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio and published by Sega. The game follows a multi-decade story across five eras and five cities, centered on men searching for a place to belong. It combines close-quarters action with narrative elements, historical urban settings, and activities connected to music and performance.

PlatformsPlayStation 5, PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox Series X|S
ReleasedJanuary 15, 2027
GenreFighting, Puzzle, Role-playing (RPG), Adventure
Play ModesSingle player
LanguagesChinese (Simplified), Korean
GenreRyu Ga Gotoku Studios
GenreSega

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