This Game Is John Wick, Except More Stylish and With Katanas

Wanted: Dead is a new game that looks slick, and its no surprise why: This game is being developed by the minds behind Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive.
Wanted dead game ninja gaiden dead or alive
Wanted: Dead, wanted now. © Patrick Brown

It's simple: When I hear that the Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive devs are making a game, I listen. Now, I'm aware that some of you are a little too young for Ninja Gaiden, but the game was basically Dark Souls before Dark Souls, except that it was much faster paced, much more dynamic, and just, all in all, had more of an anime aesthetic to you. Dead or Alive might be more of a name to some of you, either for its half-naked characters or for when it was a serious Tekken-competition. Either way, all of the above just serves to let you know: The people who made these games really understand good combat. Now, Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive devs got together to work at 110 Industries on a new game called Wanted: Dead. Yup, it doesn't get simple or more badass than that title.

Wanted: Dead – Trailer & Release Date

Let's keep it real here: That first cut-scene in the trailer doesn't look great. So you go into it thinking... "this is gonna be trash"... but, then the fighting starts. You see those moves. It feels like a beautiful choreography, like a violent dance... it feels like John Wick, except more futuristic and with more Katanas.

Outside of the trailer we know this: The game takes place in Hong Kong, combat is based around guns and melee weapons, major inspirations were Bayonetta and Devil May Cry, and story-wise, the devs revealed this: "[Wanted: Dead] features an in-depth investigative side where players must analyze evidence and dive into real police work."

The combat goes as deep as having a "limb-severing mechanic that changes enemy attack patterns", and you always have a choice between engaging from distance or getting up close and personal. Honestly, this looks like the type of combat that could influence action games going forward, so I'm hyped for this one. I'll say it again: The devs behind Ninja Gaiden revolutionized action-RPGs before... there's no reason they won't do it again.

The tentative release date for Wanted: Dead is simply 2022 for now. We'll have our eye on this one, though we don't expect more news to drop anytime soon.

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Amidu Njiemoun

Amidu is a Brunel University graduate, and former published novel & screenplay writer turned gaming journalist and show host. He was a Senior Content Creator and Content Co-Lead at EarlyGame....