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Game Information

Game Title: Romeo is a Dead Man

Platforms:

• PlayStation 5 (Feb 11, 2026)
• Xbox Series X/S (Feb 11, 2026)
• PC (Feb 11, 2026)

Trailer:

Developer: GRASSHOPPER MANUFACTURE INC.

Review Aggregator:

OpenCritic - 72 average - 70% recommended
Metacritic - 73 average (Based on 34 Reviews) - PS5 Version

Critic Reviews


8Bit/Digi - Stan Rezaee - 10 / 10

There are games that are over the top outrages and then there are games that are balls to the wall outrageous. Romeo Is a Dead Man firmly falls into the latter and I love it for that.

Analog Stick Gaming - Jeff M Young - 7.5 / 10

Romeo is a Deadman is certainly a Suda51 game, and while it is Grasshopper's best in years, I do wish the No More Heroes jank didn't follow itself here and infect combat and general movement. Still, the craziness that is Romeo is a Deadman is sound, and those looking for another bizarre fever dream are likely to be pleased.

CGMagazine - Jordan Biordi - 9 / 10

ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN combines so many of the things that make Suda 51's games so beloved and makes something fresh and insanely fun with them.

Console Creatures - Hayes Madsen - 9 / 10

Romeo Is a Dead Man is yet another strong action game from Grasshopper that's sure to be divisive. It may not be the best game of the year when all is said and done, but it's hard to imagine anything else feeling quite as unique.

Cultured Vultures - Ash Bates - 7 / 10

Romeo Is A Dead Man's time travelling shenanigans offer fun, if generic gameplay and a bonkers story, making this is a decent addition to Grasshopper's library. It's a 7/10, but complimentary.

Digitec Magazine - Simon Balissat - German - 4 / 5

Romeo is a Dead Man is an average action brawler with noticeable technical shortcomings. However, its artistic vision deserves the highest praise. Trashy dialogue, outrageous cutscenes, and wild pop-culture references make the game feel truly unique.

Duuro Magazine - Krist Duro - Recommended

Romeo Is A Dead Man is a violent, surreal, unapologetically weird action game that feels like Suda51 completely unfiltered. You might not fully understand it. You might get annoyed by performance issues. You might question why half of these systems exist at all. But you will not forget it. And sometimes, that is more than enough.

EvelonGames - Joel Isern Rodríguez - Kaym - Spanish - 7.5 / 10

Romeo is a Dead Man is Suda51's best work in years. It is a strange amalgam of entertaining combat, pop references, and constant creativity. If you have the patience to get past a somewhat flat and frustrating start, you will discover auteur game design at its finest: idiosyncratic, strange, and thoroughly enjoyable.

Final Weapon - Noah Hunter - 4 / 5

Romeo is a Dead Man isn't without its flaws. Performance issues can disrupt gameplay, repetition can occasionally take you out of segments, and some gameplay sections can get incredibly tedious. But in the end, these stumbles give way to a wacky and confident vision that carried me through the credits with a smile on my face. The fact that I still can't stop thinking about it says enough in itself, and I suspect fans will be raving about Romeo for years to come.

GAMES.CH - Fabrice Henz - German - 69%

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Game8 - Michael Gerra-Clarin - 82 / 100

Romeo is a Dead Man brings everything you expect from the Suda51 style—and I mean everything, especially when it comes to its visuals. Though it suffers from technical issues and a simple gameplay loop, the unpredictable narrative, paired with its eye-catching visuals and strong audio design, makes it a memorable experience.

GameMAG - Russian - 7 / 10

If anything else, Romeo is a Dead Man is incredibly sincere, which definitely amounts to something and lets you sidestep some of the more meddling parts of the whole experience. Plus it's really hard to refuse the offer to kill the past once again.

Gameliner - Wim Odekerken - Dutch - 4 / 5

Romeo, oh Romeo. Romeo Is a Dead Man is a bizarre, stylish delight from Suda51 that blends smooth but occasionally stiff action with deep upgrade systems, twisted Bastard customization, and an utterly unhinged Romeo and Juliet reimagining that feels like Shakespeare, George Lucas, Quentin Tarantino, M.C. Escher, and—controversially—Justin Roiland all dropped acid together.

Gamer Guides - Lexi Luddy - 86 / 100

Romeo is a Dead Man throws every idea at the wall, and while some won't stick for certain people and some might bounce straight off, the game is full of so much human creativity and love, it's hard not to fall in love with this weird, undefinable Shakespearean tragedy.

Gamer Social Club - Daire Behan - 8.5 / 10

Though its level design and technical performance can be frustrating, I can't help but love Romeo is a Dead Man. While it may not be their best, it is in many ways the ultimate Grasshopper Manufacture game, paying homage to the studio's legacy with an unbridled level of creativity and style, and incorporating everything great from its past work into something fresh.

GamesFinest - Luca Pernecker - German - 9 / 10

Romeo is a Dead Man proves once again that Grasshopper Manufacture simply ticks differently. Fans of this uniqueness will not only like the game, they will love it. Those who are not yet familiar with this uniqueness should definitely give it a chance. Despite a few uncreative dungeons and questionable design decisions in the level structure, Romeo is a Dead Man shines with a fantastic story, fast-paced, bloody action gameplay, and great characters that will remain in your memory forever.

Gaming Boulevard - Lander Van der Biest - 8.5 / 10

In many ways, Romeo Is a Dead Man feels like the ultimate Suda51 and Grasshopper Manufacture game, combining so many crazy ideas into one experience. It's by far one of the most original and surprising games I've played in years, and I honestly can't stop thinking about it. Can I easily recommend it to everyone? Not really, it's a bit too out there. But at its lower price point, it's definitely worth giving a shot. If you're tired of sequels and remakes, give Romeo some love and save the multiverse together.

KonsoliFIN - Niko Lähteenmäki - Finnish - 4 / 5

Probably the wackiest Suda51 game ever. Fans will love it, others... Well, you just have to try it. As an action-adventure game, it is solid for the most part!

Loot Level Chill - Lyle Pendle - 7 / 10

Romeo is a Dead Man is an absolutely wild ride, and although it has some duller moments I'm seriously glad I saw it through to the end.

MonsterVine - James Carr - 2 / 5

Romeo Is A Dead Man is a frustrating experience. I wanted to meet it on its own terms and let the insanity and sci-fi camp wash over me. But too much time spent in boring and tedious gameplay loops, coupled with weak character relationships, left me without anything of substance to hold onto.

Netto's Game Room - Benjamin Bell - Essential

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.

Niche Gamer - Fingal Belmont - 8 / 10

Quote not yet available

NookGaming - Andrew Camac - 9 / 10

I am fully aware of my fanboy stance when it comes to Grasshopper Manufacture, and I believe that most people who are fans of their titles have the same stance as me: you either vibe with their titles or you don't. I would go out on a limb and say Romeo is a Dead Man is one of their easier titles to jump into. Much like No More Heroes, Shadows of the Damned, or Lollipop Chainsaw, it's a title that cleverly uses addictive combat and gameplay while slowly indoctrinating the Grasshopper way onto the unsuspecting gamer.

You'll get the absolute most out of Romeo is a Dead Man if you're a fan of Grasshopper Manufacture and Suda51, but even if you are new to the "Sudaverse," you are still presented with an absolutely wild and refreshing AA-feeling title. If you were a gamer around the PlayStation 2, 3, and Xbox 360 era, it will absolutely ring that nostalgia bell.

If you always wanted to know why a certain section of gamers go wild for the name Suda51, or you're like me and have replayed the entire Kill the Past series in sheer anticipation for this one, Romeo is a Dead Man is a great game. It does a fantastic job of reminding gamers that there is a healthy middle ground between "Indie" and "AAA." Long live Suda and the cult of the quirky AA game.

Oyungezer Online - Çağdaş Erdem Nemlioğlu - Turkish - 8 / 10

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.

PPE.pl - Paweł Musiolik - Polish - 8 / 10

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.

PSX Brasil - Luis Guilherme Machado Camargo - Portuguese - 60 / 100

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.

Pizza Fria - Higor Phelipe Neto Nicoli - Portuguese - 7.3 / 10

Possibly his most chaotic project to date, Suda delivers a fairly solid combat system in Romeo is a Dead Man, which occasionally gets lost in the visual chaos and sheer number of enemies, but truly falters in the repetition of bosses and their sheer quantity.

PlayStation Universe - Joe Richards - 9 / 10

Romeo Is a Dead Man is yet another belter from a director who marches to the beat of his own drum. It's unapologetically weird, well-conceived and just downright fun to play, and that's all I could really ask for. Every small detail forms a tapestry that can't really be described, only experienced with your own eyes. Where every design idiosyncracy might not land, it doesn't apologise for that. Why should it?

Push Square - Liam Croft - 6 / 10

Just as enjoyable as it is frustrating, Romeo Is a Dead Man is an incredibly uneven experience. You'll love it one minute and hate it the next. Persevere with its more annoying elements, and you'll discover a unique and entertaining hack and slasher at the end of it all. It just takes a lot of effort and restraint to get there.

Rectify Gaming - Tyler Nienburg - 8 / 10

Romeo Is A Dead Man is a fantastic game for those seeking a mix of action, engaging gameplay, and thrilling, spooky vibes. 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.

República DG - Ruancarlo Silva - Portuguese - 7 / 10

Romeo is a Dead Man presents an original lore and impeccable sound design, but stumbles in gameplay and performance. Frame drops are frequent, and the game quickly becomes repetitive, stripping away the shine of what could have been an epic adventure.

SmashPad - Michael Murphy - 3.5 / 5

Romeo is a Dead Man doesn't hit all the notes it hoped to hit. When the action is on high, it's thrilling, but its heavy-handed outlandishness and muddled graphics detract from it. That's not to say what Grasshopper Manufacture crafted is bad in any way, as it is an endearing love letter to sci-fi and one of the most out-there titles on the market. It's more so that it feels like the studio could do more to fine tune things, but didn't get to.

Stevivor - Steve Wright - 4.5 / 10

There's something admittedly unique about Romeo is a Dead Man, but that quirkiness doesn't make up for its middle of the road design. In fact, it's not long before quirky is just there for the sake of quirkiness, not serving anything larger.

The GameSlayer - 8 / 10

Romeo is a Dead Man is an experience more than a game, and for anyone looking for that unique Suda51 style, it delivers. For people looking for depth in their Hack and Slash game, the game can be lackluster, even on harder difficulties.

The Nerd Stash - Giovanna De Ita - 9 / 10

ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN is the culmination of everything Suda51 has done, as it delivers another quirky adventure with a memorable story, and a superb combat system with a side of cozy activities.

The Outerhaven Productions - William Kok - 4 / 5

Romeo is a Deadman is another memorable SUDA 51 game that will stick with you. The bloody hack n' slash action, the overall presentation, the blend of retro styles, and the bonkers cast and story. It really is the spirit of video games. Including the rough spots and no block button. Don't try to understand the madness that is a SUDA 51 game. Just take it all in and enjoy the ride. There is nothing like it.

TheSixthAxis - Gareth Chadwick - 7 / 10

Romeo is a Dead Man is exactly what you're expecting it to be if you're familiar with Suda51, which means you are expecting the unexpected. It's as weird as possible from the very beginning and features a collection of influences that combine into a unique and surreal journey. Actually fighting stuff is the least interesting part of the game, which is good because I find the combat a bit weak, but if you can see through that – and maybe start of the lower difficulty so it's less of an burden – this is a rollercoaster of the peculiar that you'll want to stick with to the end.

VGC - Chris Scullion - 4 / 5

Romeo is a Dead Man is Grasshopper Manufacture at its most confident and its least conformist. It's got its fair share of rough edges, but the combat is satisfying – offering a challenge without being frustrating – and the sheer inventiveness in its myriad art styles and its bizarre plot ensure this is an adventure you won't have seen before. Anyone with an interest in wandering off the beaten track of familiar third-person action adventure games should check this one out.

WellPlayed - Kieron Verbrugge - 6 / 10

A collection of cool shit laid out on a shaky foundation, Romeo is a Dead Man is as admirable and occasionally brilliant to witness as it is borderline boring to play. It's a punk rock demo tape, an imperfect showcase of violent profundity scattered amongst a bunch of noise.

Worth Playing - Cody Medellin - 8 / 10

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.

Xbox Achievements - Josh Wise - 70%

It goes without saying that the new game from Grasshopper Manufacture is a mess. But that's neither here nor there. You don't buy this studio's ...

Xbox Tavern - Jamie Collyer - 8 / 10

Romeo is a Dead Man is a fun, crazy, chaotic action title with a lot to offer, even if a few niggles rear their heads at times.

XboxEra - Brodie Gibbons - 7.5 / 10

Romeo is a Dead Man, I feel, is a tremendous example of style being enough to shoulder the burden that comes with a lack of substance. So much of the game's action, along with its systems, feels antiquated enough that it shouldn't be memorable at all. Yet with innovative art direction, a Suda-typical contrast of ideas, and unconventional, albeit confusing, story craft, Romeo is a Dead Man's style proves irresistible.

ZTGD - Augusto A. - 5.5 / 10

Quote not yet available

 

[Faltherion]

I think the last Suda51 game I played was Shadows of the Damned on PS3

 

[SolidQ]

Nice Opimization

 

[diemza]

Average plus plus game like always ? (Lollipop chainsaw , killer is dead ...)

 

[Deerock71]

Looks like a typical Grasshopper game.

 

[rodrigolfp]

Nice Opimization

Imagine the potato versions...

 

[MiguelItUp]

Yeah, standard Grasshopper game all the way. Definitely on my radar to check out at some point though!

 

[TonberrysKnife]

Game is out now!

 

[saintjules]

Game is out now!

It says release date is tomorrow. Where are you seeing that?

 

[Moses85]

 

[TintoConCasera]

Nice Opimization

Could already tell this was going to be the case when there were framedrops even in the damn trailers and pre-release gameplay videos.

Thanks for saving me some money Suda, I'll get the game in a few months when it's properly patched and like 10 bucks.

 

[Robb]

a violent, surreal, unapologetically weird action game that feels like Suda51 completely unfiltered

Suda51's best work in years

Suda51's best action outing to date

brings everything you expect from the Suda51 style—and I mean everything

Sounds like we're in for a wild ride.

 

[Gonzito]

It says release date is tomorrow. Where are you seeing that?

Game is out on Steam

 

[Mhmmm 2077]

Nice Opimization

I wanted to say that it's not that bad for 4K, like come on... but then I noticed it's for 1080p, what the hell?

 

[lh032]

this game is dead man

 

[Pataponpon]

A low 70s game made by Suda means its better than most high 80s AAA

 

[The Cockatrice]

A low 70s game made by Suda means its better than most high 80s AAA

Lmao. No.

 

[Pataponpon]

Lmao. No.

Are you new to Grasshopper games? 73 solidifies it as a banger

For reference
Killer is Dead MC: 64
Lollipop Chainsaw MC: 70
No More Heroes 3: 75

 

[Pejo]

I realize that this helps out people that never played a Suda51 game before, but reviews barely matter in games from this developer. You play them for the uniqueness and the experience that you won't get anywhere else.

That said, this reviewed better than expected, can't wait.

 

[TonberrysKnife]

It says release date is tomorrow. Where are you seeing that?

Its out on Steam now, I just bought it lol.

ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN - ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN Is Out Now! - Steam News

An Ultra-Violent Science Fiction Begins

store.steampowered.com

 

[Jesb]

I guess these guys are still cracked out.

 

[Chuck Berry]

Sounds like Suda to me. DAY ONE WITH A BULLET COATED IN LSD

a violent, surreal, unapologetically weird action game that feels like Suda51 completely unfiltered

 

[Moondoggy]

A Suda game that scored above a 70, sounds like a goddamn masterpiece to me.

 

[Fbh]

Honestly better than I expected, the gameplay videos they released looked terrible.
Most Suda games suck IMO but I guess fans should be happy.

 

[Deerock71]

Lmao. No.

 

[yogaflame]

Its a very decent popcorn type of a game.

 

[GymWolf]

Another style over substance suda game, nothing new under the sun.

 

[Danjin44]

When comes Suda 51 games the reviews are worthless. Just like Yoko Taro games it's "weird game for weird people" I'm one of those weird people who like these type of games.

 

[StueyDuck]

I find it funny Kojima gets all the hate for being pretentious when suda and swery exist.

Difference is Kojimas games are good

 

[Spooky Scary Skeleton]

To me, Suda games are extremely mid as fuck. None of his games actually were fun to play. Visually popping and weird for sure, but it was a complete drag to playthrough his games.

 

[The Cockatrice]

Are you new to Grasshopper games? 73 solidifies it as a banger

For reference
Killer is Dead MC: 64
Lollipop Chainsaw MC: 70
No More Heroes 3: 75

No. They're all mid af.

 

[Moondoggy]

 

[Moondoggy]

 

[The Fartist]

Why don't these benchmarks ever include 3070? Did they forget it exists?

 

[Arsic]

Still can't buy or pre order on PSN….

 

[Moondoggy]

For anyone worried about performance on PC after reading some of the things in this thread, the game has a suite of graphics settings that can be adjusted to help with performance, and it has both DLSS and Frame Gen. support. Anyone saying it runs badly might as well just be saying, "This doesn't run above 90 at 4K native and max graphics settings", which ok, you're not wrong, but that's also like 50% of the games that release nowadays.

 

[Giallo Corsa]

Still can't buy or pre order on PSN….

This

I get that there's not much advertisment around it, I get that it's a smaller company, I get that it's a niche game, I get that it's a smaller budget title but, for a game not being available for preload or preorder 1 day before its release with the generic tag "coming soon" on its PSN page...yeah

 

[bender]

This

I get that there's not much advertisment around it, I get that it's a smaller company, I get that it's a niche game, I get that it's a smaller budget title but, for a game not being available for preload or preorder 1 day before its release with the generic tag "coming soon" on its PSN page...yeah

I don't mind it as there will be no bullshit pre-order bonuses, but it does hurt the general exposure for the game.

 

[March Climber]

Another style over substance suda game, nothing new under the sun.

He desperately needs to hire a better combat designer. It's literally his one weakness.

Find an ex-Capcom or ex-Platinum guy or something, they're out there.

I'm still going to eventually buy this but now I know to expect more No More Heroes.

 

[Signalis]

Can we please now have a remaster of Killer Is Dead. The artstyle alone is begging for higher resolutions

 

[TheLikou]

No. They're all mid af.

For limited people they are indeed.

 

[The Cockatrice]

For limited people they are indeed.

 

[Killer8]

Reviews seem fine. Read between the lines and you see that it's the 2/5 outliers dragging the score down.