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Based on what's been shown so far, it looks like Yakuza / Like a Dragon developer RGG Studio could be onto something special with Stranger Than Heaven.
However, the upcoming action game has caused a bit of stir through its casting choices. More specifically, the decision to use Tupac Shakur's likeness for a certain character has rubbed some onlookers the wrong way.
RGG Studio had previously suggested that Snoop Dogg — who plays key character Orpheus — helped secure the long-deceased rapper's appearance, but some fans still feel as though the inclusion is disrespectful.
A new interview with director Masayoshi Yokoyama makes for an interesting read, then, as the studio lead attempts to explain the situation.
Speaking to Automaton, Yokoyama responds to potential criticisms regarding the casting of celebrities: "To be completely honest, my intention as a game creator isn’t to make our casting choices take the spotlight and overshadow everything else."
He continues, rather candidly: "I want people to focus on the gameplay and the narrative experience itself. To the audience, it may seem like we’re only doing it for attention, and I may end up being perceived as someone who’s just getting a kick out of being surrounded by celebrities. But that is absolutely not my intention."
Yokoyama then refers to Yakuza 0, which, at the time of its release, featured a number of highly recognisable actors from Japanese cinema.
"We continue to create games drawing on the experience we gained from Yakuza 0 – that actors’ performances can elevate the entire work,” he states.
So what about Tupac, specifically? To be fair, Yokoyama doesn't shy away from the question, but he does give the same sort of explanation that the developer had previously put forward:
"Initially, we hadn’t considered having Tupac appear in the game. It was in the latter half of development, after I’d become quite close with Snoop Dogg, that we decided to include him."
He clarifies: "[Snoop Dogg] later introduced us to Tupac’s family and other acquaintances, and we created his character under their supervision."
We don't yet know the overall scope of Tupac's character, but Yokoyama does mention that he's "super important" — which leads me to believe that we definitely haven't heard the last of this controversial choice.
What do you make of this? Do you think Stranger Than Heaven is maybe leaning a bit too heavily into the celebrity side of things, or will it pay off in the finished release? See some familiar faces in the comments section below.