When reviewing Killer is Dead over three years ago, we stated that “those who enjoyed Grasshopper’s previous work or are tired of repeatedly being spoon-fed the same game should check out Killer is Dead before it’s rightfully put on 'most underrated game' lists in several years by the same people who criticize it now.” While our prediction hasn’t come true just yet, the same minds behind Killer is Dead have turned their attention to the free-to-play realm and are bringing all of the brutal violence, sexuality and general absurdity with them to the similarly death-focused Let it Die. GungHo recently flew us out to their offices in El Segundo to get several hours of hands-on time with the game and it was hard not to walk away impressed.

Let it Die is a strange, complex experience that we still don’t have a complete handle on although we’ve played several times now. It’s a mix between an MMO, roguelike and hack ’n’ slash, but never commits fully to any of its many genres. The game takes place in a post-apocalyptic Tokyo where the air has become toxic and an enormous tower has been erected in the middle of the city. You take the role of a fighter (either male or female) barreling under the city strapped inside of a subway car sporting only a gas mask and underwear. When the train arrives at the station, you’re greeted by Uncle Death, a strange character who looks like the Grim Reaper, but rides around on a skateboard wearing 3D glasses and a speaking in a Spanish accent. Without much of a reason as to why (the story is revealed as the game progresses), you’re tasked with climbing the Tower of Barbs and defeating all the grotesque monsters in your path — and grotesque they are, most of them a Cronenberg-esque fuse between man and machine with random satellites poking out of their face.

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Soon enough, you’ll die, upon which time the whole thing starts over on the midnight meat train of a subway and you’ll die again. And again. And again. And…well, you get the point. Let it Die is a punishingly difficult experience even for a roguelike. Enemies are often overpowered and if you’re not prepared, you’ll live, die, repeat more than Tom Cruise in Edge of Tomorrow. While this would be enough to break a controller in most games, this is where the fun of Let it Die lies. Smart players will only venture out a limited amount at a time, staying close to the elevator so they can make a swift escape when needed. Running up and down the tower are elevators which are unlocked floor by floor. Once unlocked, players can return to the floor they were last one in a matter of seconds, allowing the long climb to be bypassed (although starting over is an option as well). There is also a special elevator that allows players to travel from floor to floor without losing any current or experience — this can be accessed via a monthly subscription (which also includes other perks like decreased crafting time), which will likely prove to be one of the main microtransactions to support itself.

Besides having to start with a brand new character in the subway, the other penalty for dying is losing whatever equipment or items you’ve gathered since you last visited your base. If you die and don’t want to lose your character and gear, you can purchase optional “insurance” from your adorable host Kiwako Seto with real currency (the other microtransaction) and be revived right where you left off. Of course this takes away a lot of the fun roguelike elements from the proceedings, so they should be used only sparingly when it would mean losing substantial progress or a crucial item. If players decide to cheap out and respawn, they'll be able to to hang around their base before heading out again, purchasing weapons and equipment from the shopkeeper, withdrawing items and anything else needed to go fight some horrifying monsters. The base can also be returned to at any time via the elevators with no penalty. If time away from the tower is desired, players can warp to an arcade from the base and talk with various NPCs like the otaku gamer Meijin, some cute arcade girls and even Uncle Death himself.

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Characters can optionally be placed in cold storage at any time to avoid risking them. Those that die will respawn and roam around where they were left to die, rabidly attacking you if you come close (yes, you can get killed by yourself). Other players’ corpses can also enter your game, so caution must always be taken. This is one of the several ways multiplayer is integrated in the game. Players can break into each others bases and attack and each other and even kidnap and hold a fighter hostage. To escalate matters, fighters that have been built in single player can be pitted against other players online. In fact, the PVP escalates to the point that entire regions (each state and other countries) are divided into teams and are constantly warring against each other. Participating in this global PVP earns special rewards, so be sure not to go it alone.

As this is from the minds of Suda51 and Hideyuki Shin, Let it Die is indeed a gonzo experience through and through. It’s chock full of the trademark mix of violence (Rage Moves and Gore Finishes mercilessly rip enemies into pieces) and humor (you start in underwear each run, after all) that Grasshopper is known for, but there’s elements that are even more surreal than what's been seen in the past. In most games, health restoration happens in the form of med-packs, but here the only way to heal (besides returning to base) is by capturing and eating a frog. Yes, a live raw frog. For the vegetarians out there, there are mushrooms scattered throughout that grant various temporary abilities like increased defense or strength. Caution must be taken with these as some are poisonous, but are helpful just the same as they can be thrown at enemies to damage them.

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Let it Die is a complicated and deep experience that we’ve only scratched the surface of, but the best way to describe it is “an online Suda51 game.” While that isn’t entirely accurate and doesn’t scratch the surface of what it has to offer, it should be enough to make any self-respecting gamer download it to their PS4 the second it becomes available. Most free-to-play titles feel forced or unnecessary, but this is a well-thought-out experience that will easily keep you busy for countless hours. Addictive, challenging, hilarious and downright bizarre, Let it Die is an experience that mustn’t be overlooked.

To learn more about Let it Die, be sure to read our interview with creator Hideyuki Shin