Suda51 is no stranger to the gaming world. Having brought us classics such as Twilight Syndrome, The Silver Case, No More Heroes, Killer7, Lollipop Chainsaw, and Killer is Dead, he is a creator who has not only made quite a name for himself but has developed a unique style that leaves a lasting impression on anyone who experiences his work.
While many of his titles share a universe within the overarching Kill the Past series, they can also be enjoyed as standalone experiences. Suda51 and Grasshopper Manufacture’s newest release, ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN, is no different—except for just how over-the-top Suda is willing to go. This isn't just the next title from a legendary creator; it is a combination of everything that came before, resulting in what might be Suda51’s greatest action game to date.
Fans of his work will likely have a smile on their faces throughout the entire experience, while newcomers will be treated to something truly unique that will make them want to dive into his back catalog. Of course, there is a bit of initial awkwardness and a misleadingly generic gameplay tutorial to overcome. However, once those hurdles are passed, ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN surprises at every turn. Even when the credits roll, you’ll be left wondering what the heck you just played while simultaneously itching for more.
That being said, there’s no denying the game won’t be for everyone—but once it clicks, it never lets go.
The Story of ROMEO and JULIET:
ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN is a story that starts with a bang and quickly spirals into complete insanity. Romeo Stargazer is a young police officer from the city of Deadford, which is known for two things: its tomatoes and its UFO sightings. Initially, not much happens in this small town; however, when Romeo pulls over to inspect a body in the road, he is attacked by what can only be described as zombies. His arm is ripped off, and his face is completely disfigured. Lying there seconds from death, Romeo's grandfather, Benjamin, suddenly appears out of nowhere, informs him of his impending demise, and attaches the "Deadgear" to save his life. This transforms Romeo into DeadMan and begins his journey as a member of the FBI’s Space-Time Police.
From here, Benjamin joins Romeo as a 2D animation on the back of his jacket, and the two jump from singularity to singularity in search of time-traveling criminals. Along the way, they meet monster versions of Juliet, a woman who (prior to this entire ordeal) had an encounter with Romeo. That, however, is a story for another time.
While this may sound like a synopsis of the entire game, it covers only the opening minutes. ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN wastes no time throwing players into what can only be described as a fever dream, and it never slows down.
Throughout the rest of the story, Romeo and Benjamin converse with their fellow Space-Time Police members while Romeo relives memories of his past. This includes meeting the mysterious Juliet, whom he is now searching for across time and dimensions. While much of the plot unfolds via cryptic cutscenes, each of Romeo's co-workers has something new to say during every chapter, and collected notes and documents provide additional context to the narrative. It takes time, but the pieces eventually fall into place while still retaining a sense of mystery. As with most of Suda51's titles, players are left with plenty to reflect on as each chapter closes, with some questions even extending beyond the game itself. With returning characters like Mokutaro Shiroyabu joining the adventure, there is much more to the story than meets the eye—though newcomers can simply focus on the here and now.
KILL THE PAST (And the Zombies):
The core gameplay of ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN is that of an action hack-and-slash mixed with RPG elements; however, there are many moving pieces to this puzzle, making it far more complex than it initially appears.
When starting the game for the first time, players are led into a false sense of familiarity as basic movements and a dodge-roll mechanic are explained. The combat follows a typical structure of normal and heavy attacks, with a special move that can be triggered once enough Blood has been accumulated. This special is very reminiscent of "finishers" from Suda51’s past games (such as No More Heroes), but it varies slightly depending on your weapon of choice and your current attack animation. Rather than a sword simply appearing overhead to slash down, it might be an upward swipe if that is where the weapon was positioned—little details that don't drastically change the gameplay but make the experience feel polished and responsive.
Along with Romeo’s four melee weapons, he can also utilize ranged firearms. These have unlimited ammo but require a cooldown for reloading. They are primarily used for targeting enemy weak points, though certain situations favor long-distance combat over close-quarters aggression. ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN can be quite challenging, even on Normal Mode, so learning the optimal time for each weapon is key to survival. Thankfully, dying returns you to your last manually activated checkpoint and provides a free bonus buff for the next attempt. However, without practice and proper preparation beforehand, this buff will only go so far—it isn't a "free pass" to defeat a difficult boss.
Beyond standard attacks, Romeo has access to various items to buff himself or cure status ailments. He can also equip up to four zombies to be summoned for attacks or support abilities. This zombie system is a unique mechanic in its own right, featuring an entire minigame dedicated to unlocking and leveling them up. While their "seeds" are dropped during standard gameplay, hatching them is only the first step.
In addition to the zombies, there are raw ingredients used for cooking and two types of level-up items. One acts as a currency for the shop or for upgrading Romeo’s stats, while the other consists of rare materials used to improve weapons. Both are essential for keeping Romeo’s power level in line with the current chapter, though they occasionally require a bit of extra "farming."
The game’s level structure is equally unique. While the basic gameplay remains consistent, each singularity Romeo visits features its own mechanics and gimmicks. This element of surprise keeps every chapter feeling fresh and prevents the burnout often associated with the genre. The game effectively tricks you into believing it’s a standard action title before throwing curveball after curveball your way—a trend that continues until the very end.
Conversely, some elements remain static and can feel slightly generic—something that is often a common theme in Suda51's games. Palace Athena is a randomly generated dungeon accessible from the universe map or via portals within normal stages. Each palace run consists of a handful of rooms with a miniboss guarding the treasure. These short runs never change much, but they reward players with the items needed to upgrade equipment. While players struggling with a boss can farm these dungeons for an edge, there are limitations: higher-quality items are locked behind story progression, preventing players from becoming completely over-leveled.
The second consistent gameplay aspect is the Virtual World. Entry is gained through TVs scattered throughout each stage, and navigating this space is vital for progression. The Virtual World functions as an RPG-style dungeon with keys to find and hidden doors that impact the physical world. These sections transform simple stages into complex labyrinths that are easy to get lost in. Additionally, the walls and floors are not always fully visible until Romeo is close, meaning you cannot always plan your path from a distance. Sometimes, you’ll walk face-first into a wall that seemingly appeared out of nowhere, requiring you to enter a different TV to reach your goal from above. While some may find these sections a bit tedious as they grow in complexity, there is no denying how unique they are.
When it comes to the enemies, there isn't a wide variety, but most stages place them smartly to increase the challenge. Normal, run-of-the-mill zombies are not much of a threat on their own; however, when you mix them with an enemy that covers the ground in poison and you get backed into a corner, you are suddenly facing certain death.
On the flip side, taking out the larger enemies beforehand can allow you to make short work of the remaining stragglers. Sometimes it is simply a matter of playing it safe and ensuring Romeo isn't put in such a hairy situation.
Thanks to the smooth, responsive controls, players will rarely feel cheated by a death, with only their own incompetence left to blame. However, there’s no denying that swapping between weapons in battle can be cumbersome; players may need to adopt the "claw method" (something Monster Hunter fans will be used to) to swap while simultaneously moving and dodging attacks.
This is because weapon swapping is tied to holding a direction on the D-pad and then pressing the corresponding face button. Often, the game doesn't provide an opening to switch without requiring you to stay on the move. There is also a notable lag when transitioning from melee to ranged weapons and back again, which can leave you vulnerable. Those hoping to switch and dodge-roll immediately after will be forced to watch Romeo awkwardly finish the weapon change first, so it is best to swap only when you are completely sure it is safe. In boss fights, this delay can result in nearly instant death, making it imperative to be fully aware of your surroundings before attempting a switch.
In addition to the "claw method" made popular by Monster Hunter, it isn't the only gameplay "feature" fans of the series will be familiar with. In ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN players must be wary of the environment, as enemies can trap you against walls and continue beating you to death with no hope of escape. This is the only time the game can feel "cheap," but in general, it shouldn't be a problem outside of specific situations—ones that can be avoided by simply playing smart.
While all of this is what makes up the core gameplay, it is actually only half the battle, with Romeo's base of operations "The Last Night" playing a very important role as well.
The Last Night (The Ship and the Mini Games):
The Last Night serves as the main hub in ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN and is where the game takes on a classic, sprite-based RPG style—very reminiscent of the original Phantasy Star titles. Here, Romeo can walk around and talk to his teammates to learn more about the world, and players can partake in multiple minigames or make use of the shop. While basic upgrade features can be accessed from any save point in the world, everything else is exclusive to The Last Night, giving players a reason to return if they find themselves struggling during a stage.
As previously mentioned, zombies play a key role and can be used as equipment. They are obtained by planting "seeds" at the farm—operated by Romeo’s sister—and waiting the specified time for them to grow. Different zombies have unique abilities, skills, and stats. Once pulled from the ground, each zombie is given a humorous name and title and can be equipped to one of four available slots. Additionally, weaker zombies can be fused to create something new (an obvious callback to titles such as Shin Megami Tensei) or released into the wild if your inventory becomes too full. Although it is technically possible to finish the game without touching the zombie system, there's no denying how useful they are; some abilities are literal lifesavers when things go south.
When it comes to Romeo’s physical upgrades, there are two systems at play. The first involves simply upgrading weapons using items obtained from stages, Palace Athena, or by trading in "space junk" collected while navigating the stage select map. The second system is actually a minigame. By using the same currency required for shop items, Romeo navigates a small ship through a maze to collect as many upgrade items as possible. Thankfully, players can retrace their steps to find a more optimal path or use the restart button available at any time. The maze layout requires some backtracking to collect all status items, though portals at the edges allow for quick travel across the map. While you can grind this to max out Romeo’s stats, most players will likely complete it naturally by the final stage. However, playing this minigame is the only way to expand the health bar and unlock additional healing items. Anyone struggling should prioritize these upgrades, as they greatly improve Romeo’s survivability.
Along with these functions, The Last Night features other activities, including a basic cooking system, a memorization quiz, and a four-direction version of Pong required to unlock new stages. All of this contributes to the game’s overall charm and serves as a constant reminder that you are playing a Suda51 title.
ROMEO IS A CHARMING MAN:
The single thing that stands out most about ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN is the game’s undeniable charm. This is Suda51 in full force, and his unique style is what truly carries the experience. While the action combat system is undeniably fun, the presentation is what really shines. Without it, the game might feel like a your standard action title, but thankfully, that isn't the case. Each location is completely unique, the characters are wacky and off-the-wall, and the boss designs even dive into the realm of body horror at times. At the risk of sounding like a broken record: you truly never know what to expect, and it is a bittersweet feeling when the journey finally ends.
Beyond the original content, the title is packed with references and Easter eggs that may go over many players' heads. One of my favorite references occurs early on when a transition screen replicates the classic Mobile Suit Gundam commercial break—complete with an iconic pose. Suda51 also drew inspiration from series such as Rick and Morty, yet he maintained a unique identity by putting a distinct twist on the "crazy grandfather and grandson go dimension-hopping" trope.
Of course, there are many other surprises to be discovered within ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN, but it would be doing the title a disservice to spoil them. The sense of discovery is a standout element of the game, and I wouldn't want to rob anyone of that feeling. While the Gundam reference happens extremely early, players still have at least a dozen or so hours of content awaiting them, with extra trials and a New Game Plus mode to take on once the final credits roll.
Should you play it?
ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. What initially feels like a standard, run-of-the-mill action game quickly evolves into a completely off-the-wall adventure that continues to surprise players from beginning to end. Even when the credits roll, you can't help but ask yourself what you just played—while knowing full well it was Suda51’s best action outing to date.
While the game’s eccentric style may not click with everyone, longtime fans will not be disappointed. For newcomers willing to take the plunge, ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN might just be the gateway into a new favorite connected universe.
For those worried about performance, I personally encountered no major issues playing on a base PlayStation 5; however, there was one section where frames began to drop. This was mainly due to me leading dozens of enemies into a single room, and didn't impact my enjoyment of the title.
VERDICT: Essential
Reviewed on PlayStation 5
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