Romeo is a Dead Man

Romeo is a Deadman is destined to be a cult classic. It’s a stylish and quirky action-horror adventure that is as funny as it is downright disturbing at times. The combat is solid and strategic, while the level design is smart yet straightforward, and it was clearly a labour of love for everyone involved. But what I really love about Romeo is Dead is that it’s not afraid to throw ideas at the wall and keep what sticks, and there’s a certain attitude that runs through the entire thing that is utterly captivating. It doesn’t care if you like it. It doesn’t care if you don’t get it. It does its own thing, it does it well, and that makes it Punk as Fuck.

I’d be lying if I said that this is a game for everyone. By its nature, the absurdism and surrealism of Romeo is a Dead Man is only going to resonate with people who can appreciate that quality about it. The game itself point-blank refuses to be entertaining to play on a passive level. But given that video games around us are becoming more and more generic, “best practice” driven, and in general, everything that Romeo is a Dead Man pokes fun at, it’s nice to have the occasional game that’s willing to put some people off in pursuit of its creative vision.

Do you appreciate fast-paced, challenging if — occasionally rather frustrating — combat? Are you a fan of what would be, in other, entirely more cowardly games, unreasonably delicious anime katsu curry scenes, assuming you’re not me and don’t undercook or burn most of them? Do you like love stories? I’m serious. This second to last question is the most difficult part, considering current financial situations throughout the world at the time of this writing: does this sound like it’s worth $50? Finally, does any of this game seem interesting to you? Then absolutely buy it, it’s completely worth it.

Romeo Is a Dead Man is yet another belter from a director who marches to the beat of his own drum. It's unapologetically weird, well-conceived and just downright fun to play, and that's all I could really ask for. Every small detail forms a tapestry that can't really be described, only experienced with your own eyes. Where every design idiosyncracy might not land, it doesn't apologise for that. Why should it?

Romeo Is a Dead Man is yet another strong action game from Grasshopper that’s sure to be divisive. It may not be the best game of the year when all is said and done, but it’s hard to imagine anything else feeling quite as unique.

Without the perks of modern AAA powerhouses at its disposal, Romeo is a Dead Man is a true masterclass in how to create a video game, embracing modernity without abandoning the DNA that makes Grasshopper Manufacture's work so unique in its own strangeness. It is, easily, the studio's best production in at least 15 years and certainly a worthy contender for the pantheon that includes names like Killer7, No More Heroes, and The Silver Case.

If, for some reason, ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN isn't one of your new favorite Suda51 games, you at least can't deny that it's greatly benefitted from Grasshopper Manufacture's decades of experience in producing the Kill the Past universe. In some ways, ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN feels like a sort of culmination of it all, bringing in the best bits from other titles and improving upon the rest. ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN is as easy to recommend to Suda51 newcomers as Lollipop Chainsaw while providing a plethora of KTP easter eggs for long-time fans to discover. ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN is to Grasshopper Manufacture as The Great Wave off Kanagawa is to Hokusai -- the game is only this good (and believe me, it is GOOD) because of all the incredible experiences that built it. Play ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN on whichever platform you must (PS5 felt fantastic), but to be clear: PLAY IT.

Romeo is a Dead Man has just arrived and already deserves cult classic status, thanks to its characters, its story, and its overwhelming creativity. A game as singular as its creator, Suda51, and a bold act of rebellion against the industry’s growing homogenization.

Romeo Is A Dead Man is a strong adventure filled with great and kooky action. And while it has some rough edges, especially with its performance, it makes up for that with a whole lot of heart. The result is a game that’s entertaining from beginning to end, if not a little nonsensical.

Romeo is a Dead Man is classic Suda51–an irreverent fever dream that constantly threatens to topple any notion of what a game can or should be. By challenging expectations, the game certainly has the potential to be polarizing to a wide swath of players. Yet there is a method to the madness and sometimes the most insane approach can make for the most enjoyable journeys.

Though its level design and technical performance can be frustrating, I can’t help but love Romeo is a Dead Man. While it may not be their best, it is in many ways the ultimate Grasshopper Manufacture game, paying homage to the studio’s legacy with an unbridled level of creativity and style, and incorporating everything great from its past work into something fresh.

If you're into surreal games, Romeo Is a Deadman is an absolute must-play. The story is bonkers, and even if you appreciate the idea of a digital art exhibition in a game, it can still be hard to follow at times. The combat could have felt a bit more modern and refined in places, but this is largely made up for by the strong gameplay loop and the sheer amount of playful minigames that keep everything fresh.

I was left wanting more from the love story incidentally promised by the protagonist’s names, but I was eager to keep playing to make Romeo stronger, see where I was going next, and learn more about the colorful cast of characters.

Romeo is a Dead Man brings everything you expect from the Suda51 style—and I mean everything, especially when it comes to its visuals. Though it suffers from technical issues and a simple gameplay loop, the unpredictable narrative, paired with its eye-catching visuals and strong audio design, makes it a memorable experience.

Romeo is a Dead Man is Suda51's most introspective work to date: a narratively rich, stylish action game with strong authorial identity, solid combat and clear niche appeal.

Romeo is a Dead Man, despite all the metal and sci-fi fantasy, is so flesh and bone that you can almost smell its blood and feel the viscosity of his entrails. It is a punk and irreverent response to the current situation, both in the video game industry and globally, which comes at a key moment. You may find its basic systems or level design somewhat archaic, but everything else makes it a journey as bizarre as it is memorable, in which Grasshopper Manufacture leverages all its strengths (playable, narrative and, above all, artistic) better than ever.

Grasshopper makes games like no other, a superpower in which the sheer creative force outweighs the sometimes-juvenile side-effects. Romeo is a Dead Man may not always be coherent and is often not pretty but it nonetheless possesses something compelling – as if you can’t look away.

Romeo is a Dead Man, developed and published by Suda51's studio, shows that creativity isn't born from constraints, and the director, more than ever, now does what he wants. Even reusing a game mold that unfortunately fell out of use, the title imprints its mark on all the systems and visual elements that compose it, being the most unhinged third-person action experience in recent times.

A decent offering from the weird mind of Goichi Suda, Romeo Is A Dead Man is a welcome return to the madness. Whilst fun to play, the inconsistent story beats, occasional jank and insanely bright and blinding fights can become too repetitive. Definitely one for the fans of Grasshopper, perhaps not so much for the unaware.

Suda51’s punk attitude results in another uniquely bizarre third person action game, but this one has more life and originality to it than most of his other more recent titles.

Probably the wackiest Suda51 game ever. Fans will love it, others... Well, you just have to try it. As an action-adventure game, it is solid for the most part.

Romeo is a weird sci-fi story, a sometimes stiff action game, but most importantly, it is memorable adventure and a very surprising videogame.

Overall, it’s the touches of mischief which make Romeo is a Dead Man stand out in a ‘good enough’ landscape dominated by Live Service and competitive games. Stuffed with one-off moments and boisterous action honed over nearly 20 years of carnage, it’s a game that never sits still, never settles for boring but functional and dies with a live hand grenade slipping from its fingertips.

Go along with its absurd story, and chances are you'll have lots of fun with Romeo is a Dead Man, even if its combat can be scrappy in places. This is Grasshopper Manufacture's most polished game yet, and as ever it's full of amusing quirks and gameplay features.

Perfect it is not, but why be perfect when you can be unforgettable?

Romeo is a Deadman is another memorable SUDA 51 game that will stick with you. The bloody hack n’ slash action, the overall presentation, the blend of retro styles, and the bonkers cast and story. It really is the spirit of video games. Including the rough spots and no block button. Don’t try to understand the madness that is a SUDA 51 game. Just take it all in and enjoy the ride. There is nothing like it.

Romeo is a Dead Man isn’t without its flaws. Performance issues can disrupt gameplay, repetition can occasionally take you out of segments, and some gameplay sections can get incredibly tedious. But in the end, these stumbles give way to a wacky and confident vision that carried me through the credits with a smile on my face. The fact that I still can’t stop thinking about it says enough in itself, and I suspect fans will be raving about Romeo for years to come.

If, like me, you are inexplicably drawn to Goichi "Suda51" Suda's crazy brain, then you should definitely play Romeo is a Dead Man, because there is simply nothing else like it when it comes to the overall gaming experience. The game can be completed in 12-15 hours, depending on how thorough you are and what difficulty level you play on. Romeo is a Dead Man is probably a good place to start if you want to get a taste of this man's twisted world - not because it isn't crazy and absurd, because it is - but because it's the most digestible and well-functioning game he has created.

Romeo is a Deadman is chaotic, unpredictable, pure creative madness that won’t appeal to everyone, but those willing to embrace it will find one of the most original gaming experiences of the year, despite its technical flaws.

Romeo Is a Dead Man is a wild, genre-defying action-adventure that throws players into a surreal blend of space drama, time travel, and chaotic combat. With stylish presentation and layers of gameified systems, it challenges traditional narrative and gameplay structure in favor of an unapologetically experimental experience. While not every design choice hits perfectly, the overall effect is hypnotic, unpredictable, and deeply rooted in Grasshopper’s signature punk energy.

Romeo Is a Dead Man is a game about literally clashing realities that, despite its morbid motifs, is breathlessly eager to find the most vivid thoughts and sensations in all of them.

Like any game in Grasshopper Manufacture’s offbeat catalog, Romeo is a Dead Man isn’t for everyone. On the surface, it’s a hilariously violent action game with bizarre pop culture references, and the story might alienate players who are more used to titles with straightforward narratives. But dig down a little, and you’ll find that Romeo is a Dead Man deals in immensely rewarding combat, irreverent and varied art styles, and above all, a ton of soul, all in spite of a short runtime.

Romeo is a Dead Man features an interesting campaign that tries several different things to avoid monotony, and it works most of the time, but honestly, it lacks a truly memorable moment to make it stand out. It's not bad at anything, but it also doesn't do anything to excel, which is a shame.

Romeo is a Dead Man is certainly a visionary work in terms of both plot and setting, featuring nonsensical characters and sudden stylistic shifts depending on the phase of the game. It is a pity that the underlying gameplay concept is, by contrast, rather ordinary, with enemies and levels that do become more challenging as you progress, but without any real innovation to make the game shine. When all is said and done, however, the product is pretty playable; you just have to be willing to settle a bit.

His past games have demonstrated that Suda51 is probably incapable of making a cookie-cutter action game. Yet underneath its misdirection of wild and crazy, that’s kind of what Romeo is a Dead Man really is. Strip away the disorienting style shifts and patchwork narrative, and you’re left with a fun but limited third-person action game with Soulslike elements. The game succeeds at stylistic surprise but at the expense of polished mechanics and satisfying coherence.

If anything else, Romeo is a Dead Man is incredibly sincere, which definitely amounts to something and lets you sidestep some of the more meddling parts of the whole experience. Plus it's really hard to refuse the offer to kill the past once again.

Romeo is a Dead Man proves that Suda51 is still at the top of his game: classic action with a bizarre tone, loaded with references of all kinds. Even with its minor issues, if you like Suda51, you know what you're getting into: you're going to love Romeo is a Dead Man.

I don’t know if Romeo is a Dead Man always works. I don’t love how repetitive its action can be, and the story is both endearingly bonkers and hard to follow. I wish there was more depth to its combat. I wish it explained how crucial things like Bastards were sooner, I wish things like the curry minigame mattered more, and I wish I’d felt compelled to do more of its optional content. Even after writing all this, I’m not sure how I feel about Romeo is a Dead Man. Like the Fractured Universe Romeo is in, it’s a whole lot of disparate parts that don’t always add up to a coherent whole. But I’ll be damned if I can stop thinking about it, and I respect how it tells its story through its gameplay. Is it good? Maybe. Did I enjoy the act of playing it? Sometimes. Did it stick with me? Yeah. Yeah it did. Enough that I might go back. And so we reach the end of the sphere, and start again.

Romeo is a Dead Man is a wild fever dream, you probably won’t experience again. Not everything works, but a lot of it surprises.

Romeo is a Dead Man is an absolutely wild ride, and although it has some duller moments I'm seriously glad I saw it through to the end.

Romeo is a Dead Man is exactly what you're expecting it to be if you're familiar with Suda51, which means you are expecting the unexpected. It's as weird as possible from the very beginning and features a collection of influences that combine into a unique and surreal journey. Actually fighting stuff is the least interesting part of the game, which is good because I find the combat a bit weak, but if you can see through that – and maybe start of the lower difficulty so it's less of a burden – this is a rollercoaster of the peculiar that you'll want to stick with to the end.

Romeo is a DeadMan is a product that has sparked deep reflection in us: we're happy that a figure like SUDA51 is still active in the global gaming scene and that he's still capable of infusing his creations with such a recognizable stylistic imprint, but it's also true that Grasshopper Manufacture seems anchored in an outdated, almost anachronistic, game development philosophy that needs a breath of fresh air to compete, or even survive, in the ever-changing action genre. While on the one hand, we find a manneristically varied yet solid gameplay structure and an artistic direction that oozes style from every pore, on the other, we must point out a less than rosy situation in terms of level design and the presence of poorly crafted gameplay devices.

Like a recently resurrected corpse, parts to ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN’s gameplay and story are cold to the touch, as it occasionally stumbles trying to grasp all of its ambitions. Yet there are just as many moments of genuine warmth, exuding confidence when expressing its boundless imagination. For my first foray into the unhinged mind of Suda51, the consistently bonkers creativity is the beating heart that gives this title strength. Creativity doesn’t automatically make for the smoothest experience. Nonetheless, this is a DeadMan I’ll look back on with both affectionate fondness, and conflicted frustration.

Romeo is a Dead Man is a loud and inventive action game that prioritises style and spectacle. Its combat may be basic by today’s standards, and its systems occasionally bloated, but the confidence behind its strangeness may carry it for some. It can feel very dated, but it’s unapologetic and unmistakably Suda51, and for the right player (you know who you are), that’s more than enough.

Romeo Is A Dead Man is a fever dream of a title that you'll want to wake up from. It starts off strong, but before long, it falls victim to a repetitive nature that even its flashy and bloody combat can't save it from.

Romeo is a Dead Man is yet another bizarre and absolutely crazy title by Goichi Suda, a fine example of a video game by an author that displays all the insane methodology of its creator. It's not the best technical game, it doesn't have the best gameplay you'll find, but it's an absolutely out-of-the-box experience.

Romeo is a Dead Man has many fundamental issues, which is a shame because its sense of style and allure make for a uniquely surreal adventure.

Great visual concepts and wacky characters don't make up for the underlying issues of its repetitive encounters and tedious level design.

ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN is a unique, intriguing, and at the same time unfocused and frustrating experience. It's a difficult game to recommend, as I imagine a niche audience will love the title and ignore its worst quirks, while the vast majority will find themselves confused about what exactly the game wants to be.

Just as enjoyable as it is frustrating, Romeo Is a Dead Man is an incredibly uneven experience. You’ll love it one minute and hate it the next. Persevere with its more annoying elements, and you’ll discover a unique and entertaining hack and slasher at the end of it all. It just takes a lot of effort and restraint to get there.

A collection of cool shit laid out on a shaky foundation, Romeo is a Dead Man is as admirable and occasionally brilliant to witness as it is borderline boring to play. It’s a punk rock demo tape, an imperfect showcase of violent profundity scattered amongst a bunch of noise.

Romeo is a Dead Man has the style and swagger of a much better game. The combat is nothing you've not seen before, the level design is uninspired, dated and often frustrating, and the story isn't as funny or clever as it thinks it is. But, still, there's fun to be had and the game can be compelling. It just needs to get out of its own way more often than not.

The air runs out of the balloon long before the game’s end, and by comparison, Romeo is a Dead Man feels like exactly what came before: a game trapped 20 years back in time.

While Suda-51’s trademark style and weirdness is still present, this is perhaps his worst-playing game to date, and this leaves me a bit worried about Grasshopper Manufacture being in NetEase’s hands. Those who enjoy Suda’s work will still manage to find bits of his output that they like here, but it’s a real slog to get to the good stuff, and I suspect that anyone who’s not already a fan of his catalog will find this experience to be genuinely awful.

There's something admittedly unique about Romeo is a Dead Man, but that quirkiness doesn't make up for its middle of the road design. In fact, it's not long before quirky is just there for the sake of quirkiness, not serving anything larger.

Romeo Is A Dead Man lives and dies by its eccentricity, delivering multiversal strangeness and zombie Pokémon before losing steam as it approaches a conclusion it doesn’t know what to do with. Given its galaxy of possibilities, it’s rather disappointing that its climax is so terrestrial.

Romeo Is A Dead Man is a frustrating experience. I wanted to meet it on its own terms and let the insanity and sci-fi camp wash over me. But too much time spent in boring and tedious gameplay loops, coupled with weak character relationships, left me without anything of substance to hold onto.

The Suda51 faithful will find more of the same, wrapped in at best mediocre gameplay - no surprises to be found. And that is probably the most damning thing you can say about one of his games.

Despite some original narrative hooks and a compelling mystery, the combat falls flat due to clunky controls and repetitive enemy encounters. Even with its clear ambitions for an engaging plot, the lackluster exploration and uninspired level design fail to deliver.

Romeo Is a Dead Man is certainly not predictable. It’s capable of getting a baffled smile out of you, and its anti-gaming-establishment attitude will have diehard fans searching for an irony-drenched reason to celebrate it. But where No More Heroes’ simplistic yarn kept the fights flowing and the jokes rolling, Romeo Is a Dead Man’s sprawl feels disappointingly directionless. Instead of coming together as a kitschy universe-spanning epic, this sci-fi story is sadly told with all the mastery of a rambling drunk in Wetherspoons.