New insights into Romeo Is a Dead Man, the next project from Grasshopper Manufacture, have been revealed in an interview with 4Gamer featuring studio founder Goichi Suda (Suda51) and director Ren Yamazaki. The conversation shed light on the game’s development challenges, design philosophy, and the distinctive artistic decisions that shaped its evolution.
One of the biggest revelations was that Romeo Is a Dead Man began life as an open world title. The studio had even created the “Deadford” diorama as a prototype environment. However, Suda explained that the team scaled back to a linear structure in order to achieve AAA-quality visuals without overstretching resources. “We were aiming for something richer, closer to AAA, so we focused on the graphics,” Suda noted, adding that compromises were necessary early in development.
Another major change came in the form of presentation. Instead of fully rendered real-time cutscenes, the majority of story moments will unfold through stylized manga-inspired panels. According to Suda, this approach was not only a cost-saving measure but also a creative flourish that fit Grasshopper’s eccentric style. Ren Yamazaki added that the use of comic cutscenes helped preserve the game’s unique identity while allowing the team to devote resources to other areas.
The interview also confirmed several gameplay features. While Romeo Is a Dead Man remains an action-driven experience, it incorporates “Subspace” puzzle-solving stages that break up combat encounters. Players will also have access to Romeo’s spaceship, which acts as a hub for conversations with FBI space-time colleagues. This section is presented in retro-inspired 2D pixel art, a creative decision that both reduced costs and reinforced Grasshopper’s indie spirit. Wrestling-inspired combat moves, a signature of past Suda projects, will make limited appearances in finishing sequences, though the focus will be on ranged action with firearms.
Suda shared that Grasshopper’s team has doubled in size since No More Heroes 3, with 60 staff members, more than half of them new hires. He described the process of switching to Unreal Engine 5 and the challenges of blending a wide variety of development backgrounds into a cohesive team. Despite the hurdles, Suda emphasized that restrictions ultimately fostered innovation. “There were moments when I was reminded, ‘Yes, this is how games are made.’ It was a powerful resurrection of that feeling,” he said.
Finally, the developers teased that three guest characters will appear in the game, though their identities remain a mystery for now. More details are expected to be shared during Gamescom, continuing the rollout of information following the game’s State of Play debut.
Romeo Is a Dead Man is planned for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. A Steam page is now live, confirming modest system requirements for a 2026 release. The title is being directed by Ren Yamazaki and co-written by Suda51, marking Grasshopper Manufacture’s first new original IP in years.
