Review of Romeo is a Dead Man

The age-old adage suggests that time is a flat circle, perpetually cycling through the same events and choices. However, in Romeo is a Dead Man, the latest creation from Grasshopper Manufacture under the direction of Suda51, a different theory is explored: what if time resembles a sphere? Though the narrative may shift, many paths still converge in Rome. This intriguing concept invites contemplation, but it’s best not to overthink it. This title delves into time travel, and getting caught up in trying to understand every detail might lead you to create complex diagrams with straws. In a manner fitting its theme, Romeo is a Dead Man is as disjointed as the universe its protagonist, Romeo, navigates. Days after completing the game, I'm still uncertain about my feelings towards it, yet it lingers in my mind, its structure reflecting its story—a notable achievement in itself. The story revolves around Romeo Stargazer, a sheriff's deputy in the quaint town of Deadford, Pennsylvania, which is known for its supposed alien landing site and peculiar 'dead' tomatoes. One fateful day, Romeo encounters a woman named Juliet, who has lost her memories and pleads for him to end her life. Romeo, being a well-meaning but somewhat bumbling character, instead falls for her, despite the troubling coincidence of their names. His grandfather, the brilliant inventor Benjamin Stargazer, warns him about the potential consequences of this romance, and he turns out to be correct. If you aspire to be star-crossed lovers, this is how it begins. Their love blossoms, they plan to elope, but tragedy strikes when Romeo is attacked by a strange creature and meets his demise. Fortunately, his grandfather intervenes with a high-tech helmet, saving his life but ultimately costing him his own. Now revived as Deadman, Romeo finds himself entangled in a shattered space-time continuum, with Juliet's disappearance possibly linked to these events. Armed with his grandfather's technology, he is recruited by the FBI's Space-Time Police to hunt down criminals disrupting the space-time fabric while searching for Juliet. To top it off, he receives a unique jacket that his grandfather’s spirit somehow manifests onto. It’s a twist that reinforces the concept of a literal grandfather paradox—quite wild, indeed. As expected from a Suda51 title, the narrative is filled with eccentricities. Attempting to explain every detail would lead to a chaotic scene reminiscent of a conspiracy theorist's wall, filled with notecards and red strings connecting them. Even after navigating through the 15-hour storyline, I find myself perplexed, mirroring Romeo’s own confusion as he grapples with his circumstances. This intriguing narrative unfolds through a mix of cinematic sequences, comic panels, and other innovative storytelling techniques that enhance the experience. Romeo is a Dead Man weaves together a multitude of eclectic ideas, much like the fragmented universe it presents. Missions commence aboard the Space-Time Police vessel, The Last Night, which features a 2D, sprite-based environment where players interact with a quirky crew, including Romeo's family and uniquely named FBI agents like BlueMountain and TheBlack. The ship's journey involves scanning for anomalies, piloting to them, and battling dimensional foes using a weapon dubbed Eternal Sleep, before racing on Romeo’s motorcycle across a bridge of light to reach various destinations. The absurdity of these mechanics cannot be overstated, especially with the ship emblazoned with 'FBI' in bold letters. Upon arrival at locations such as Deadford City Hall or a 1970s cult hideout where a delightful zombie named Jenny resides, the gameplay shifts to a 3D action experience. Here, the goal is to track down space-time fugitives and dispense justice, often involving skirmishes with zombies and other strange adversaries. Romeo possesses a range of melee and ranged weapons, with the acquisition process being swift, as I unlocked everything except for the starting chainsaw-sword and pistol after just the first mission. The melee combat offers a standard mix of light attacks, heavy attacks, and dodges, reminiscent of many contemporary action games. However, what sets Romeo's combat apart is the ability to chain attacks together freely. While the system may lack depth—there are no extensive move lists or complex combos—it feels satisfying, particularly against smaller foes. Each weapon, from the basic sword to the combining Arcadia and gauntlet-based Juggernaut, delivers a rewarding combat experience. For larger enemies, it's prudent to switch from melee to ranged attacks, especially since such foes feature flower-shaped weak points. All ranged options—be it a pistol, machine gun, or shotgun—are effective and impactful, with the rocket-launching Yggdrasil being a personal favorite for delivering maximum damage. Although reloading may be required after each shot, Romeo dons a bandana reminiscent of Solid Snake, ensuring a steady supply of infinite ammo. I'm torn regarding the game's roster of foes. While there is a reasonable variety, Grasshopper reveals most of its enemies early on, leading to some repetition by the game's conclusion. Yet, I appreciated unique enemies like the Jellies, which necessitate breaking their gooey exterior with melee strikes before inflicting real damage. The combat system, while not particularly complex, provides a satisfying experience, especially against lesser adversaries. Defeating enemies generates blood, which can be utilized for the powerful Bloody Summer attack, restoring some of Romeo’s health. Each weapon has its own variant of this move, and it can even be executed while dodging or jumping for added flair. This mechanic allows for effective health management without depleting limited healing items. Surprisingly, Romeo is a Dead Man also incorporates elements reminiscent of the Soulslike genre. Space-Time Pharmacies function as save and fast travel points, replenishing health and healing items while respawning all defeated enemies. There’s no penalty for death, as players do not lose currency earned from enemy takedowns. Instead, players spin a roulette wheel that grants buffs to attack, defense, blood gain, and more, courtesy of Romeo’s mother. While the absence of consequences for dying may fit the overall theme, it can also render the act of saving and respawning enemies somewhat tedious in this otherwise linear action game.