Romeo is a Dead Man Reviews
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.
If you complain that today's game developers don't want to take risks and are guided by what's popular, take a look at Romeo is a Dead Man. On paper, little of it makes sense, but in practice, it turns out that every piece fits together perfectly.
Review in Polish | Read full review
Romeo Is a Dead Man really is made for fans of Grasshopper Manufacture. The story is bonkers but not confusing. The gameplay is solid, but it has plenty of elements that give the game an overall sense of strangeness and character. Its presentation may not be the strongest, but it is also unique enough considering that the game uses a very popular engine. Romeo isn't quite a game for everyone, but the game will pique your interest if you're an action fan looking for something that's slightly off the beaten path.
The games industry needs more “crazies” like SUDA51. That said, the fact that so many original ideas have gone for years without being paired with truly top-tier gameplay makes it hard to tell whether the fault lies with the producers or with the man himself. The only thing I do know is this: the day he manages to combine this magnificent absurdity and presentation with high-caliber gameplay, his name will be etched in gold in the industry’s Hall of Fame.
Review in Turkish | Read full review
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.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
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.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Romeo is a Dead Man might be Suda51's wildest and most referential work yet, but the barrage of ideas doesn't always hit the mark, and here and there even a hint of boredom creeps in.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Romeo Is A Dead Man is not a game that is meant to make everyone happy. It can be rude, inconsistent, and annoying at times, but it's also sure of itself, creative, and very personal. It's fighting requires dedication, its story encourages interest, and its style refuses to give in. It can't reach its full potential because of technical and pacing issues, but its aim and creativity will be remembered for a long time.
Some people are going to give this game a shot and bounce off it hard, and I think that’s valid. But I think that if you enjoy the game it’s going to be something you keep coming back to, and it’s definitely a game I would encourage people to buy on Steam because if you decide it’s not for you, hey, you can figure that out within the refund window. It’s either going to be very much not for you or very much for you, and I think some people are going to realize that this is their game in a way they wouldn’t have if it hadn’t sort of swept in from nowhere.
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Review in Italian | Read full review
Romeo is a Dead Man isn't without technical flaws, such as a slow start and visibility issues with the field of view, but these are offset by the originality of its structure and the richness of its side content. As is their custom, Grasshopper Manufacture steers clear of contemporary industry clichés to deliver a product that goes against the grain, offering a wide variety of visual styles and solid combat mechanics—which, while simple, provide a satisfying experience for those seeking something unconventional.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Despite the sometimes-scrappy combat and the occasional technical issue, it’s hard not to love Romeo is a Dead Man. It has so much personality that you end up forgiving its rough edges, and more importantly, it’s a game that isn’t afraid to be completely stupid, surprisingly thoughtful, and aesthetically loud all at the same time… it’s great. It won’t be for everyone, and if you need your games to be polished to a mirror sheen and make perfect narrative sense, you’ll probably bounce off this hard. But if you’re willing to embrace the silliness and dive into the universe with an open mind, Romeo is a Dead Man offers a thrill ride that is well worth taking.
Suda 51’s latest is a gloriously absurd, mid-budget fever dream that prioritizes stylistic madness over mechanical depth. While the spectacle-heavy boss fights charm, repetitive combat and catastrophic PC performance leave this cybernetic Romeo DOA. It’s a cult classic in the making—if it can actually maintain a stable frame rate.
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.
Suda51 returns with a new IP that mixes hack'n'slash action with his signature surreal storytelling. While Romeo is a Dead Man offers a highly entertaining loop and creative systems like the "Bastards" mechanics, it suffers from technical inconsistencies and some balancing issues. A must-play for fans of the director, but a slightly rough experience for everyone else.
Review in Italian | Read full review
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.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN is a fast, aggressive action game that gives you a lot early and expects you to learn by playing. Fights come at you constantly, and you’ve got a lot of freedom in how you upgrade and adjust your build. If you’re comfortable figuring things out as you play, it delivers an experience that sticks to its own approach.
Romeo is a Dead Man’s gameplay style, soundtrack, visual aesthetic, and peculiar characters and elements make it one of the most interesting games from the developers to date.
Despite the issues here and there, Romeo is a Dead Man feels like a SUDA51 game through and through, which is a compliment. There aren't many games that challenge status quos when it comes to their mechanics and style, but SUDA51 does. Does it work? Not all of the time. Can it be frustrating? Sometimes. However, there aren't many games that embrace this style and structure that direct correlates what the norms are. Thankfully, despite the hiccups, the game is still a ton of fun, and if you are a fan of SUDA's other games, like No More Heroes and Killer, this is going to be a must-have. I do wish it performed better on the Steam Deck. This would be a wonderful game to take on the go and grind, but there isn't much more we can do to make it more playable.
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.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review