Romeo is a Dead Man Reviews
A most-excellent bizarre action game from Grasshopper Manufacture
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 a wildly creative, genre-blending action game that fully embraces chaos as a design philosophy. Its combat is fast and satisfying, its ideas bold and unpredictable, and its presentation unmistakably auteur-driven. However, the sheer density of mechanics, tones, and narrative threads often works against cohesion, making the experience as exhausting as it is fascinating. A unique ride that will reward players willing to surrender to its madness ' and lose others along the way.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
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
Like all Suda 51 and Grasshopper Manufacture games, Romeo is a Dead Man is definitely an acquired taste. But it’s one that brings a different flavour to what games can be if you give them a chance. And with a game that is more accessible than previous Suda 51 games, Romeo is a Dead Man is a taste you should take.
Despite its problems, Romeo is a Dead Man keeps Suda51's creative spirit alive and arrives on PC and consoles without fear of surprising fans with a full sensory overload.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
The love story we all know about Romeo and Juliet takes a dramatic leap to present it in a completely unconventional way.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Romeo is a Dead Man can impress you one moment with its visual ideas or absurd dialogue, only to irritate you a moment later with repetitive combat or technical rough edges. It’s a game that doesn’t try to be perfect. Instead, it offers an intense, sometimes uneven experience that sticks in your memory precisely because it feels so different from most modern games.
Review in Polish | Read full review
Romeo is a Dead Man is proof that you can be inspired by a variety of mediums and your creativity can still show it in an all-new way. From DeadMan’s design to the wild supporting cast, there is so much to love about the game and all I want next is for DeadMan to meet up with Travis to save the world and time together. I’m all in.
"ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN is messy, loud, violent, brutal and undeniably stylish - It doesn’t always stick the landing, and it certainly won’t be for everyone but it's 100% unashamed, unadulterated Suda."
Grasshopper's first independent game searches for lost love across multiverses. Suda51's vision merges manga, stop-motion, and Shakespeare.
Review in Turkish | Read full review
ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN is an outlandish, absurd, sci-fi hodgepodge that is inexplicably endearing and has its own identity. It would be an enjoyable game if not for the dismal performance.
Romeo Is A Dead Man feels like it’s out of sync with the rest of the industry. It’s a time capsule, a character action game with labyrinthian level design, a big weird story, and an expectation you play it by its rules and not the other way around.