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Stupid Never Dies is one of the more unusual action RPGs coming this fall. The game is being developed by GPTRACK50, a studio led by former Capcom producer Hiroyuki Kobayashi. The developers decided to move away from several features associated with modern action games, including a dedicated dodge and an enemy lock-on system. Instead, combat is meant to rely on constant movement, proper character positioning and parrying attacks. The title will debut on October 21 on PC and PlayStation 5.
A zombie who wants to resurrect his beloved
The story of Stupid Never Dies centers on a zombie named Davy, who falls in love with Julia, a student found frozen in a shopping mall freezer. The woman died during the war that led to the collapse of human civilization. Davy, however, decides to do everything he can to bring Julia back to life. The problem is that he sits at the very bottom of the monster hierarchy that formed after the war. To reach his goal, he needs the help of a human scientist, Dr. Frank. Together they must make their way through a dungeon filled with a mysterious miasma. Interestingly, the entrance to this place is located after the hero is flushed down a toilet. The dungeon’s biomes are meant to represent different real-world locations and historical periods. Each run is procedurally generated, so the layout changes on subsequent attempts. At the same time, the developers set a specific progression curve so that Davy needs progressively less experience to level up on later attempts. The game also includes many passive abilities that can be combined, so even a failed run can yield progress and prepare the hero for the next try. An important gameplay element is the Style Eat mechanic. It allows Davy to devour selected enemies and assume their form. During the presentation, players could, among other things, become a fast werewolf, a powerful golem, or a harpy focused on aerial combat. Forms can be switched during fights, letting you adapt your playstyle to the current situation.
Without a dodge button and lock-on, combat is meant to be more chaotic
Stupid Never Dies stands out primarily for its unusual approach to the combat system. The developers completely dropped a dedicated dodge button and the classic guard. Instead, Davy can perform a quick forward step that also functions as a parry. The timing window to execute this action is relatively generous, and a successful parry enables a strong counterattack. This matters in particular because enemies almost constantly press the hero. Another unconventional choice is the total absence of a lock-on system. At first this may seem inconvenient, especially to players used to automatically tracking a chosen enemy. Director Eiichiro Sasaki explained, however, that the whole combat system was designed with the lack of targeting in mind. According to the creators, adding lock-on would take some of the intensity out of the clashes. Large numbers of enemies often appear on screen at once, so the player must manually control Davy's position and watch the entire battlefield. The camera is meant to provide a wide enough view to allow dodging most attacks while staying on the offensive. During a presentation at Gamescom 2026, the presenter needed a bit of time to get used to this solution. Once the mechanics were mastered, though, the lack of lock-on stopped being disruptive and began to fit the game's character. The combination of intense fights, changing forms, and roguelike mechanics makes Stupid Never Dies look like one of the more original action games this fall.
Stupid Never Dies from GPTRACK50 tries to stand out not only with its absurd atmosphere but also with an unconventional combat system. The game lacks a traditional dodge, guard, or lock-on mechanic. In their place is, among other things, a step that lets you parry attacks and perform counterattacks. The gameplay is rounded out by procedurally generated dungeons, roguelike mechanics, and the ability to take on the forms of defeated enemies. The PC and PlayStation 5 release is scheduled for October 21, 2026.
source: wccftech
