Exploring ‘Stupid Never Dies’: A Review of Gameplay and Narrative

‘Stupid Never Dies’ represents the debut title from the new game studio GPTRACK50, founded by Hiroyuki Kobayashi, a veteran producer from Capcom. This action RPG attempts to blend traditional brawler elements with a unique narrative framework, but its execution leaves much to be desired.

Overview of the Game

Set in a dystopian future ravaged by a zombie outbreak, ‘Stupid Never Dies’ features a colorful world where werewolves and vampires reign, relegating zombies to a lower status. Players take on the role of Davy, an undead character who embarks on a mission to confront the King of Monsters while also pursuing a love interest in a human—specifically one who is frozen, depicted in an uncomfortable narrative twist.

Narrative and Themes

This game attempts to explore the themes of love and obsession within a comedic framework. However, it adopts a trope known in social commentary as “fridging,” where female characters are harmed to motivate male protagonists. Julia, Davy’s love interest, embodies this trope as her plight drives the main narrative forward.

The game’s storyline has triggered discussions surrounding its portrayal of sensitive themes, raising criticisms about its insensitivity to contemporary issues regarding gender representation in media. Rather than fostering genuine connection, the relationship portrayed in ‘Stupid Never Dies’ often feels derogatory, potentially alienating many players.

Gameplay Mechanics

‘Stupid Never Dies’ also incorporates a roguelike structure. Players navigate through multilayered dungeons via imaginative toilet travel, encountering various assets to assist in Davy’s quest to revive Julia. While the graphic design showcases an attractive visual style reminiscent of earlier action games, the reliance on repetitive dungeon-crawling detracts from the overall experience.

The gameplay involves battling through numerous enemies while managing a time restriction that encourages players to move efficiently through levels. However, the execution often leads to frustration due to poor combat mechanics and sluggish character responsiveness.

Combat System

The combat mechanics in ‘Stupid Never Dies’ rely heavily on Davy’s attacks, yet the animations often feel delayed, creating a disconnect between player inputs and on-screen actions. The absence of a lock-on feature adds to the challenge, making targeting enemies cumbersome and less engaging.

Although Davy can absorb powers from defeated monsters, the execution of these mechanics is inadequate, as transformations feel unwieldy and fail to offer meaningful variation in gameplay. Players may find that adhering to Davy’s original zombie form is often the most efficient path to overcome obstacles.

Conclusion

‘Stupid Never Dies’ is set to release on October 21 on PlayStation 5 and Windows PC. However, despite vibrant visuals and an abundance of RPG elements, the game suffers from a convoluted story and lackluster mechanics that hinder player engagement. Even with potential post-launch adjustments, it appears the fundamental issues may not be easily remedied.

In summary, while ‘Stupid Never Dies’ aspires to offer a unique comedic narrative blended with action RPG gameplay, its execution falters, leaving players with a mixed experience laden with structural flaws and disconcerting themes.