Wanted: Dead introduces players to The Zombie Squad, a specialized task force assigned to combat the criminal underworld and various injustices prevalent in Hong Kong. Equipped with swords, martial arts skills, pistols, and automatic weapons, this unit, led by Lt. Hannah Stone, confronts waves of relentless enemies.
Wanted: Dead presents a highly stylized gaming experience. Its 80s-retro-future aesthetic complements the narrative effectively. Combat encounters result in dismemberment and significant blood splatter, adding to the visceral nature of the game. Players have access to an arsenal that includes an assault rifle, pistol, sword, and a variety of melee maneuvers. The control scheme allows for seamless weapon and attack selection, mitigating the need for menu navigation. While the initial control layout may seem complex, comprehensive training modes are available and recommended to master the game’s mechanics. The game offers a considerable challenge, requiring players to develop proficiency with their weapons. Successfully combining attacks yields greater damage output, enhancing the overall gameplay experience.
I evaluated Wanted: Dead on the Playstation 5. The graphics were of high quality, and the game maintained a stable frame rate and fluid performance. Even during intense combat scenarios with numerous enemies, no performance issues were observed. Furthermore, no visual artifacts such as texture flickering were encountered, ensuring a consistent gaming experience.
Wanted: Dead is developed by the Japanese studio Soleil, known for titles such as Dead or Alive and Ninja Gaiden, both recognized for their demanding gameplay. Wanted: Dead continues this trend, presenting a significant challenge from the outset. While a high difficulty level is not inherently negative, as demonstrated by my enjoyment of The Last of Us Part I on Survivor mode, Wanted: Dead‘s difficulty is compounded by movement limitations. The inability of these supposed ninjas to jump over even small obstacles is perplexing. While certain obstacles can be overcome with specific positioning, others remain impassable. This restriction introduces a frustrating element that detracts from the overall experience. The game’s linear pathing further diminishes the sense of realism, as circumventing obstacles via a simple jump would often be the logical course of action.
Another area of concern is the considerable distance between Check Points. Upon a game over, players are forced to repeat lengthy sections repeatedly. This issue is exacerbated in areas where initial progress is difficult, particularly when unskippable sequences precede challenging battles. While the cutscenes can thankfully be skipped, the repetitive nature of these sections remains problematic.
In conclusion, Wanted: Dead is a visually striking and exceptionally violent title. The initial difficulty is significant, but mastering the controls and combat system can lead to a more enjoyable and rewarding experience. However, the pervasive restriction on jumping detracts from the overall enjoyment, impacting the final assessment of the game.
Soleil provided a review copy for this assessment. The provision of materials does not influence our editorial process.
