Review: Romeo Is A Dead Man

Developer – Grasshopper Manufacture Inc.

Publisher – Grasshopper Manufacture Inc

Platforms –  PlayStation 5 (Reviewed), Xbox Series, PC

Review copy given by Publisher

Suda 51 and Grasshopper Manufacture have returned for their newest game, Romeo Is A Dead Man. This game is an ‘ultra-violent’ action-adventure game that involves a mix of thriller elements. The game features Romeo Stargrazer, the main protagonist in the game, and he is joined by his Grandpa, Benjamin Stargazer, who is essentially his companion along the journey through this 80s-style adventure. 

At the start, we are introduced to the setting, which is Deadford, Pennsylvania, where Romeo is from. Before the world became a strange place, he was a Sheriff Deputy until he and his partner saw a dead body on the road. Romeo checks it out, and it turns out this person was actually a White Devil, a type of enemy you will learn about further into the game. 

The White Devil “kills Romeo,” and Benjamin comes out of a portal to revive him and provides him with what is called “DeadGear” to put on his head to keep him alive. This sets the tone for part of the game, but there is still more to learn about the storyline and the connection with Juliet, his girlfriend, whom he is searching for. There is a belief that her disappearance is linked to the destruction of space. 

Romeo is recruited by the FBI Space-Time Police as a special agent and goes on an adventure to search and capture criminals who have taken advantage of what has happened in an attempt to bring justice back to the universe. 

Action-Packed Gameplay

Romeo Is A Dead Man features an action-packed gameplay style. Similar to zombie games in a way, with what feels like hordes of different creatures charging at you. There are your ordinary enemies, then medium-sized to “larger” sized creatures attacking you. In ways, it reminded me of Left 4 Dead for a little bit. 

You are equipped with a gun, sword, and the ability to summon up to four different Bastards. These summons can be harvested at the ship with Luna, another main character in this game. Bastards can help in various situations aside from boss fights. You can use them to fight against a horde of enemies that will corner you into a room or help you heal.

There’s even more to using Bastards, such as fusing them to make an even greater version. Romeo Stargazer has the option to choose from four ranged weapons and from four different styles of swords. These weapons can be upgraded by earning Emerald Flowsion throughout the game.

There are also useful items you can cook at the Spaceship, or as I like to call it, the “main hub” of the game, where you are pixelated. You can carry up to four items to enhance your attack power or to easily absorb items.

Once the Blood gauge is filled, Romeo can perform a special move that can easily defeat multiple ordinary enemies or tackle medium-sized enemies that are difficult to kill. 

There are surprisingly a good number of minigames you can do in Romeo Is A Dead Man. Most of the time, these minigames can actually have an impact on the character’s strength and abilities to help you have an advantage in certain situations. 

Puzzles are a thing in this game, and it’s interesting to say the least. Throughout each area you go to, there are subspaces for them. You’ll notice doors are locked, and you will have to find a TV to access this subspace, and you’ll have to traverse that area to eventually access an area you once thought was unobtainable. Eventually, you’ll have to collect four gate keys to get to the boss. This might be one part of the game that I’d say is repetitive and bland.

Each Boss Is Unique

It’s important to acknowledge that each boss fight and area in the game is unique, with no repetition throughout. The mechanics of each boss, the stories behind them, and the settings are all creatively crafted as you advance through each chapter. Additionally, the challenges never become easier. Romeo Is A Dead Man consistently surprises players with its creativity.

Storytelling

There is a story in all of this, and Grasshopper Manufacture does a great job presenting it. The game revives the 90s by providing comic-style cutscenes with voice acting included. This is probably one of my favorite parts of how it’s represented. The story is essentially finding more out about Juliet as to why she disappeared, and many monsters in this game will be wearing her face and, at times, using her voice. 

The music adds a lovely touch to the setting and contributes to the retro vibe. What surprises me the most, aside from the gameplay, is the voice acting. The cast in this game truly deserves recognition and credit. The writers have crafted an engaging story, and the voices behind the characters enhance the overall experience.

A Hidden Gem

When we look at the end of 2026, I could see us looking back at the hidden gems of the year and having this game included. Romeo Is A Dead Man is a fantastic game for those seeking a mix of action, engaging gameplay, and thrilling, spooky vibes.

There are some setbacks, don’t get me wrong. I found at times where I would get stuck in areas of fighting enemies to the point of having to die, but also slight framerate drops on PlayStation 5. For just $50, you can’t complain about the experience you are getting.

I believe that most of its setbacks might be its visuals and overall performance. The subspaces could also be improved, as it sometimes kills the momentum.