When you invest yourself in a Suda 51/Grasshopper Manufacture game, you never know what you’re gonna get. That’s not a bad thing, as their creative forces have flowed through games like Shadows of the Damned and the No More Heroestrilogy. Now their latest effort, Romeo Is a Dead Man, is on the loose, and it will find a divisive – yet devoted – audience.
That’s because the game is bonkers. There’s no simple way to put it. But that’s not a bad thing. You portray Romeo, who’s been ripped apart and now finds himself going through space-time in an effort to track down criminals. Along the way, you’ll adapt to some systems – including helpful Bastards (no, really, that’s their name) – to stop them.
The game is heinously difficult in some spots, particularly with bosses. And its combat is far from perfect. Still, there’s something quite intuitive and pleasing about this game. You’re always eager to see what comes next, thanks to Suda 51’s inventive (yet wicked) nature. Plus it’s good fun, and you can always mix things up to try something new.
Rookie players – or those not used to Suda’s wily ways – may want to take precaution before jumping in. A beast, this one is. But Romeo Is a Dead Man has creative spark to spare, and delivers bloody action on a ridiculous scale. It wasn’t love at first sight to begin with, but what can I say? It grew on me.
Romeo Is a Dead Man Is a Tough Date
So, in the game, you portray Romeo, a lawman that suddenly finds himself ripped to shreds by a demon. But rather than succumbing to your fate, your helpful grandpa instead recruits you (well, what’s left of you) to a team. As an FBI Space-Time agent, it’s your job to track down criminals, using whatever elements you can get your hands on.
It’s a bonkers plot, and, yes, there is a Juliet. But to explain it all here would be an essay, breaking down the sheer madness of producer Suda 51. Instead, it’s best if you experience it for yourself.
Now, Romeo Is a Dead Man is a fickle beast. It’ll challenge you at every turn, especially with the bosses. But there’s beauty in its creativity, especially when it comes to the combat. You have different weapons – long-range and short-range – at your disposal, and you can mix things up pretty nicely here. Plus everything bleeds elegantly, just as you’d expect from the mastermind behind Lollipop Chainsaw.
Along with the imperfect (but enjoyable) combat, you also get the employment of the Bastards. These are secondary characters that provide a bit of breathing room with assists. These include everything from setting up secondary fire to unleashing a tornado that can whip many into a frenzy. This, combined with the general gameplay, will certainly keep you busy.
That said, there are mild frustrations, especially when it comes to the boss battles. Don’t be surprised if you lose these more often than you’d expect. Like Elden Ring, practice makes perfect. And the way the game is set up, you’re rewarded by whatever chaos comes your way next. It’s like reading a comic book and you’re dying to learn what happens on the next page.
Romeo Is a Dead Man will likely stand as Suda 51’s most diabolical game to date. But, again, not a bad thing. There’s inventiveness a-flowin’ here, and the combat stands out, even if it isn’t everyone’s speed. I had a ball with it, but your taste may vary depending on your knowledge in Suda-ism. If you’re a fan, by all means, have a ball.
How Is Romeo Is a Dead Man’s Presentation?
Well, it’s Grasshopper Manufacture and Suda 51. So, needless to say, you can expect bonkers visuals. And boy, do you get them.
It’s not a perfect engine – there are mild glitches and slowdown aplenty. But the general core is wildly original and nicely put together. And the boss designs are superb, really challenging you with each new thing they throw at you. Plus the cinematics tell a wild story, so make sure you indulge their every frame.
As for the sound, there’s a delightful pop soundtrack at play here. It’s like Suda delivered the soundtrack going in his head straight to the game. That, combined with crazy sound effects and cheesy voice acting, will definitely keep your ears busy.
Is It Love, Or Is It Romeo?
I’ll tell ya, Romeo Is a Dead Man was a tough game to review. There’s a lot that goes against it, like the difficulty and the lack of polish in some places. But it’s unlike anything else on the game market (aside from Suda’s other efforts, of course), and the story makes it worth sticking around for. Plus the combat packs on the depth, and the Bastards are worth making friends with.
If you’re in the mood for something crazy and original (and a bit on the tough side), Romeo Is a Dead Man is certainly worth the commitment. Just be ready for chaos to get where you want to go. I guess the same could be said for love itself.
GAMERHUB RATING: 4 (out of 5) JOYSTICKS
Thanks to Grasshopper Manufacture for providing us with a review code! Romeo Is a Dead Man is available now for Steam/PC, Xbox and PlayStation!
Need more insane-o game action? Check out our review of ChainStaff!
