Suda51 returns after five years , ‘ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN’ launches simultaneously on PS5, Xbox, and Steam.
A blend of extreme violence and spatiotemporal action, user response to the new IP is “positive.”
Grasshopper Manufacture (GhM), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, officially released the ultra-violent sci-fi action adventure game ‘ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN’ on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam on February 10th.
This title marks the first new IP in five years from game designer Goichi Suda (Suda51), who established his unique identity with titles like the “No More Heroes” trilogy, “The Silver Case,” and “Shadows of the Damned.” It also holds significant significance as it marks the first title directly published by Grasshopper Manufacture.
A tragic romance that transcends time and space
Romeo Stargazer, an ordinary sheriff’s deputy, is attacked by a monster and brought to the brink of death. He is saved by his grandfather, a genius scientist who studies time travel. Equipped with a cutting-edge life-support device called “DeadGear,” Romeo becomes half-alive, half-dead. He becomes “DeadMan,” an agent of the FBI’s Spacetime Special Unit, and hunts wanted criminals scattered across the collapsed universe.
But the tragedy doesn’t end there. To make matters worse, his lover Juliet, who suffers from amnesia, suddenly disappears, forcing Romeo on a perilous pursuit that crosses the space-time continuum. Armed with firearms and melee weapons, Romeo’s journey unfolds into a journey of love, loss, and a bloody destiny, akin to the Shakespearean tragedy of its name.
Maximized visual chaos and artistry
The most striking feature of “ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN” is its constantly evolving visual presentation. 3D action scenes are the foundation, while comic book panels, pixel art spaceship bases, visual novel-style text boxes, stop motion, and 2D animation all blend together within a single game.
Even cutscenes don’t adhere to a single format. Each scene is presented differently, using in-game renderings, 2D sprites, and motion comics, creating the impression of playing a “zine-style action game” featuring the contributions of multiple artists. This visual chaos, coupled with the game’s exaggerated violence, amplifies Grasshopper Manufacture’s signature aesthetic.
Music is also a crucial element in defining the game’s unique character. Three main composers, each with a distinct style, create a dramatic shift in the mood of each scene. Music by legendary Japanese hip-hop group Scha Dara Parr is also featured throughout the game.
Notably, each major boss has its own dedicated vocal theme, transforming battles into performances beyond mere action. The visual overload, coupled with the sound, constantly stimulates the gamer’s senses.
Simple yet addictive combat system
The gameplay is based on third-person action reminiscent of the “No More Heroes” series. Romeo switches between four melee weapons and four firearms to adapt to the situation and battles hordes of zombies and monsters. By absorbing enemy blood, he can unleash the powerful special skill “Bloody Summer,” and his weapons are enhanced and modified as the story progresses.
The progression system is also unique. Gamers explore a large, maze-like upgrade map reminiscent of Pac-Man, spending experience points to unlock desired abilities. Players can design their own progression path, such as increasing reload speed or increasing stamina.
In addition, the spaceship base offers a variety of minigames and additional content, such as raising zombies called “Bastards” and summoning them during battle, or making curry to restore health.
Divisive reviews, but a clear personality
According to Metacritic, ‘ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN’ scored 73 for the PS5 version, 75 for the PC version, and 77 for the Xbox version, and is a work that has sharply divided opinions among critics. Game Informer praised it as “one of Suda51’s best games,” and VGC praised it as “Grasshopper Manufacture at their most confident and nonconformist.”
GameSpot, on the other hand, criticized the game, calling it “bizarre but lacking in purpose,” and The Guardian criticized it, calling it “a directionless story.” Nevertheless, most media outlets acknowledged its originality and artistic vision.
What’s interesting is the user response. Steam user reviews are 93% positive (based on 130 reviews), significantly higher than the critics’. Many praise the game, saying, “A must-play for Suda51 fans” and “It’s not perfect, but it’s an unforgettable experience.”
The identity of Grasshopper Manufacture, which has continued for 25 years
Founded in 1998, Grasshopper Manufacture has garnered global recognition for the unique and innovative style of CEO and game designer Goichi Suda. With over 25 years of console game development experience, the studio has successfully developed over 25 games, including the “No More Heroes” series, “Shadows of the Damned,” “killer7,” and “The Silver Case.”
“It’s been quite some time since our first original title, and we believe we’ve raised the bar for action games we’ve built up over the years,” said Suda51. “We wanted to create Romeo as a character that’s not just strong, but will be remembered for a long time by game fans around the world.”
He added that the game’s direction was completely set the moment he wrote the line “From here on out, you’re a dead man” while working on the scenario. This phrase soon became the game’s title.
‘ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN’ is currently available for $49.99 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam, where it is currently on a 10% launch discount. The game supports multiple languages, including English, and contains a lot of violence and gore, so it is intended for a mature audience.
Steam Store Page:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/3050900/ROMEO_IS_A_DEAD_MAN/
Official website:
https://romeo-is-a-dead-man.grasshopper.co.jp/en/
