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Wanted: Dead is a homage to the sixth generation of consoles. Consequently, this retro experience brought a smile to my face. Its arcade gameplay was hard-hitting, fast-paced and often tough as hell. However, each cruel battle was rewarding, and the story and action flowed at a comfortable pace. Moreover, it wonderfully blends the brutality of melee combat with the accuracy and cold nature of modern technology.
This hybrid hacker/slasher title was developed by Soleil Ltd and published by 101 Industries SA. Moreover, it has plenty of retro nuances and has an army of upgrades and bosses to unlock and defeat. Accordingly, it tweaks at those nostalgia-fuelled heartstrings whilst offering something fresh and exciting for modern gamers.
Wanted: Dead tells a grim and harsh story.
You play the role of Lt. Hannah Stone. This tough and unrelenting Hong Kong cop will stop at nothing to complete her task. However, occasionally, she’ll need help from her friends and her loyal teammates. Accordingly, though she is extremely skilled, she cannot complete her task alone. Furthermore, she must learn new skills en route and collect more powerful guns if she wishes to succeed.
The action follows the Zombie Unit. This hardcore team of Hong Kong’s finest police officers is badass and deadly. However, though they are trained to kill, they must still tread carefully as they attempt to uncover a major corporate conspiracy. Subsequently, the deeper the team delve, the more goons, mercenaries, and specially trained enemies that they face. As such, this isn’t a mission for the faint of heart.
Incredible mechanics.
I adored Wanted: Dead from the off. The action chucks you into a thorough and enjoyable tutorial. From here, you are free to explore every training regime, or you can undertake some mini-games or tackle the excellent story mode. Whatever option you choose, the action will test your abilities as well as your patience.
If you plump for the story mode, you’ll enjoy layers and layers of killing! Additionally, you must dodge, parry, and avoid your opponent’s attention. However, when this isn’t possible, you’ll allow your guns and your swords to do the talking. Each exciting encounter was enjoyable and gory. Slicing your opponent’s limbs clean from their body never got old. Alternatively, you could shoot their head clean off their shoulders if you so wished. Either way, there is plenty of claret, decapitated limbs, and destruction.
It flows perfectly.
I was thoroughly impressed by the fast-paced nature of each chapter. The action flowed perfectly from room to room. Moreover, the snippets of lore and interesting cutscenes prevented the story from becoming unmanageable. Alongside this, the excellent stage design and drip-fed weaponry ensured that the gameplay was always balanced.
What wasn’t so balanced or fair, though, was the cruel bosses. In perfect retro style, these gargantuan fools took some beating. What’s more, you need to think tactically whilst using your surroundings if you wish to progress. Thankfully, as you progress and you learn new skills, the boss encounters don’t feel so daunting. Instead, you must work out their strengths and weaknesses and create a plan accordingly.
Wanted: Dead has a pleasant modern finish.
Though Wanted: Dead is a clear homage to a classic era of gaming, it still has a pleasant modern finish. As such, it will appease both older and younger gamers. Furthermore, I loved the over-the-shoulder shooting perspective and the interesting and varied locations. Moreover, the stage design worked well in creating tight and claustrophobic encounters and spacious all-out brawls.
The audio was loud, aggressive, and often OTT. This created a dramatic and exciting experience that wouldn’t be out of place in an action film. The cutscenes and acting were just as good. I adored the gruff characters and how the plot evolved. Additionally, what’s not to love about the slashing of a sword or the boom of a gun?
Simple but effective controls.
Wanted: Dead has some excellent combo attacks. Moreover, there are so many finishing moves that you can enjoy brutally murdering every single foe you face. The decision to incorporate a range of tutorial quests was a fantastic touch. I loved the hologrammatic enemies and the tough but enticing quests you undertake. Each of these nonessential experiences improves your understanding of the gameplay without being daunting or unenjoyable.
Sadly, this isn’t the longest title I’ve played. Accordingly, around 15 hours is all you need to work your way through it. However, though it may not last forever, you’ll love every moment. What’s more, the mini-games are addictive and they each have a leaderboard. Therefore, you can play these over and over without getting bored.
Wanted: Dead is a great hybrid title.
Blending the slasher and shooter genre is not an easy task. However, the developers have done a great job. The smooth controls and excellent animation ensure that every fight is enjoyable. What’s more, I loved the upgrade system and the arsenal of weapons on offer. Additionally, the bosses were tough and unbelievably cruel. Consequently, Wanted: Dead is brilliantly old-school and a great hybrid title. Subsequently, I loved it and I recommend that you buy it here! Can you discover the truth behind the corporate conspiracy? Grab your team, select your weaponry, and take down every goon and mercenary that stands in your way.
