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0 ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN an Action Adventure game from the most creative minds at Grasshopper Manufacture (Suda51). The same company that has created some the most beloved cult classic games like the No More Heroes series, Killer 7 and Lollipop Chainsaw. Even the games for animes such as Samurai Champloo and Blood + craftly made from this amazing company. The first exposure to Suda51’s creative madness was actually when my cousins were playing Killer 7. And the rest was history to be frank.
The rule of thumb when playing a Grasshopper game is to never think you can predict their next move.
Gameplay
ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN is about…well Romeo. A deputy sheriff that while checking the body in the middle of the road got a severe injury. An injury that cost him his life, but thanks to his grandfather’s intervention can stay alive. However, once revived he was no longer just Romeo Stargazer. He’s officially now Deadman!
Now, the game has you playing in a third person perspective while getting to to switch to first person while using the gun. The aim is a bit fidgety and will sometime anger you when believing the shot should have landed. Yet, playing in Orange Chocolate difficulty was honestly both fun and the single most stress inducer ever. Thankfully, Suda gave us methods to work around this very issue.
The first solution is the Bastards. Whom I’ve always dubbed as my little bastards. These are reusable summons that each have their own special skills with the most random naming mechanic. You can collect different Bastard seeds, which you can go in the ship to grow them into different type of Bastards. The Bastards have their own archetype that lean towards Offense, Defense, Healing and Debuffs.
I would discuss about the other mechanics to level you up and you weapons, but I feel it’s better for you to experience it. The reason I say this is because of the different methods people could and can take when taking these routes. Yet, my only advise is to take advantage of finding a good farming spot and using the Space Time Pharmacy to respawn your farm.
With this farming strategy in mind, use it to collect Emerald Flowsion to buy all the weapons to fit your play style. Or completely sink your Emerald Flowsion into Romeo using the Deadball Enhancer. Which you can plan your route and focus on what you’d want to collect.
Graphics and Audio
Now for those who’s never experience the majestic chaos of Suda’s artistic vision might get lost. Suda51 crams in so many different art forms and genres into this one game that I respect it a lot. We switch into so many styles from 3-d to Comic books to even pixelated forms. Heck, after Chapter 2 you can experience one of the nuttiness hidden gem in the game. This is something else I’m not willing to completely spoil.
The cutscenes alone are honestly well executed and I love the comic book story telling to give you that “Max Payne” feel. You can’t enjoy the great scenery and appeal of the game without the music and voice acting. Suda’s choi0ces for the English VAs and the music composition this time around is amazing. Almost like a delicious plate of Pork Katsu Curry.
The music alone is spot on and gets me dancing in place. The one I enjoyed the most due to me losing to this boss was Enchanced Phantasm battle theme. It starts with a silence that later starts to grow and build up to an OST that touches your soul. It was the one thing that made reattempting a boss fight without needing Spotify.
Longevity
ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN with three different difficulties and the fourth being available by beating the game on any difficulty. Which depending on your choice or skills, you can finish the game in about 10 hours. Yet, with Suda behind the wheel, there is a lot you can get done before the final fight. You can finish dungeons or maximizing your Bastard family to become the Bastard Master! Or you can spend hours speaking with WorstPink to find out if you’re a masochist or not.
There is also the fact that you can beat the game with either unlocking all the weapons or not. You’re not required to unlock them to at all, but I recommend that you do that your first playthrough to understand how your Romeo should be.
Final Thoughts
My time playing ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN is one I never want to forget. I can see this game being like it’s predecessors Killer 7 to have a cult following. Which honestly it deserves it and right now I want everyone to play this amazing game. This is a perfect example of don’t judge a book by it’s cover. Especially if the author of that book is Suda51.
I give ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN the Thumb Culture Platinum Award!
Disclaimer: A code was received in order to write this review.
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