Wanted: Dead

Wanted: Dead isn’t interested in modern blockbuster design. By embracing the eccentric spirit of sixth- and seventh-generation action games, it becomes one of 2023’s most overlooked AA releases despite an awkward first impression.

Wanted: Dead At a Glance

Reviving the AA Action Game

Wanted: Dead was first unveiled during the 2021 Tokyo Game Show, introducing itself as “a new hybrid slasher/shooter from the makers of Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive.” Developed by Soleil, the game follows the Zombie Unit, an elite Hong Kong police squad investigating a corporate conspiracy while blending stylish melee combat, third-person gunplay, and an intentionally eccentric presentation inspired by grindhouse films and sixth-generation action games.

Rather than chasing modern open-world trends or cinematic spectacle, Soleil deliberately embraced the design philosophy that defined many Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3-era action games. Under director Hiroaki Matsui, whose credits include Ninja Gaiden Black, Ninja Gaiden II, and Dead or Alive 4, the team focused on rewarding mechanical mastery through aggressive melee combat supported by firearms rather than replacing one with the other. Technical programmer Tatsuhiro Tanaka, previously involved with Devil’s Third and Valkyrie Elysium, also brought experience from similarly fast-paced character action titles.

While the game’s unconventional tone divided critics at launch, Wanted: Dead never attempted to become a modern blockbuster. Instead, it celebrates an era when ambitious AA studios regularly experimented with stylish combat systems, exaggerated storytelling, and unapologetically game-like design. That creative direction ultimately defines both its greatest strengths and many of the criticisms surrounding it.

Reviewer’s Perspective

I reviewed Wanted: Dead after completing the PC version on Normal difficulty. Having spent years with Team Ninja’s action games, including Ninja Gaiden, Dead or Alive, Nioh, Wo Long, and Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin, I approached Soleil’s spiritual successor with clear expectations for its combat, pacing, and mechanical depth.

Finding the Rhythm

The first few hours of Wanted: Dead can be deceiving. Its combat initially feels stiff, almost clumsy, especially if you’re expecting the fluid responsiveness of Ninja Gaiden or the spectacle of modern character action games. That rough first impression is likely why so many players bounced off the game before its mechanics had a chance to develop.

Rather than separating melee and gunplay into distinct systems, Wanted: Dead encourages players to weave them together. Firearms are primarily used to control enemy positioning and interrupt attacks, while the katana remains your primary source of damage through parries, executions, aerial attacks, and expanding combo strings. The more abilities you unlock, the more naturally those mechanics begin flowing together.

That gradual sense of progression became one of the game’s biggest strengths. What initially feels limited slowly opens into a surprisingly expressive combat system where timing, positioning, and resource management matter just as much as quick reflexes. Boss encounters reinforce that philosophy, asking players to fully engage with the mechanics rather than relying on simple button mashing.

The progression system complements that learning curve well. New skills continually expand your offensive options while encouraging experimentation with different approaches to combat. Combined with a fair difficulty curve that challenges without becoming overly punishing, the result is a satisfying sense of mastery that rewards persistence.

Grindhouse Presentation

From the opening mission, Wanted: Dead refuses to take itself completely seriously. One moment you’re investigating a violent corporate conspiracy, and the next you’re watching deliberately awkward dialogue, absurd loading screens, or a joke that feels pulled straight from an early 2000s B-movie. Rather than undermining the story, that tonal whiplash becomes part of the game’s charm. It knows exactly what kind of experience it wants to be.

The writing immediately reminded me of cult favorites like the original Resident Evil and Shadows of the Damned, embracing exaggerated performances that feel intentionally campy instead of accidentally awkward. The loading screen parody of Super Hot Fire is a perfect example. Rather than treating downtime as dead space, Soleil uses it as another opportunity to reinforce the game’s eccentric personality.

That same philosophy extends well beyond the main story. Optional activities such as the claw machine, shooting range, rhythm minigames, and ramen shop help the Zombie Unit feel like more than a collection of action game archetypes. These quieter moments provide welcome breaks between combat encounters while giving the cast room to show a more playful side.

What surprised me most was how naturally the humor coexists with the game’s darker moments. Beneath the memes, movie references, and grindhouse presentation is a story willing to explore loyalty, corruption, and personal loss without abandoning its identity. That balance keeps Wanted: Dead from feeling like a parody of action games. Instead, it becomes a genuine love letter to the eccentric AA titles of the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 era that weren’t afraid to take creative risks.

Final Verdict

Wanted: Dead isn’t interested in appealing to everyone. Its rough edges, deliberately campy dialogue, and unconventional pacing are all part of an experience that proudly channels the character action games of the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 era rather than modern blockbuster design.

While the combat takes time to fully open up, players willing to learn its systems will discover rewarding melee mechanics, memorable boss encounters, and enough personality to separate it from countless contemporary action games. It may never become a mainstream classic, but as a love letter to the AA action games that inspired it, Wanted: Dead succeeds far more often than its reputation suggests.

Review Summary

Tested On
CPU: Ryzen 7 5900X | GPU: Nvidia 3080ti 12GB | RAM: 32GB DDR4 | Storage: Crucial P5 Plus NVMe SSD
OS: Windows 11 x64 | Resolution: 1080p | Settings: High/Custom | Framerate: Uncapped

References

1. Trailer Reference: Wanted: Dead TGS 2021 Trailer, YouTube.
2. Steam Store Page: Wanted: Dead, Steam.
3. MobyGames. (n.d.). Hiroaki Matsui.