Stupid Never Dies Preview: A Fresh Action RPG from Capcom Veteran Hiroyuki Kobayashi
In an industry often marred by studio closures and layoffs, the emergence of a new developer is a welcome sight. GPTRACK50, a Japanese studio founded in late 2025, has unveiled its debut title, Stupid Never Dies, an action role-playing game with a roguelike twist. Led by Hiroyuki Kobayashi, a seasoned producer with 28 years at Capcom, the game promises a unique blend of fast-paced combat and whimsical storytelling.
Behind the Scenes: The Team and Vision
Hiroyuki Kobayashi, known for his work on iconic franchises like Resident Evil and Devil May Cry, helms GPTRACK50 with a team of around 30 developers. This compact size allows for agility and innovation, with team members boasting experience on major titles such as Monster Hunter: World, Far Cry 4, and Metal Gear Solid 5. Kobayashi has confirmed that Stupid Never Dies is slated for a 2026 release, targeting PlayStation 5 and PC initially, with potential Xbox ports considered post-launch.
Gameplay Mechanics and Storyline
Stupid Never Dies centers on Davy, a low-level zombie who stumbles upon a frozen woman named Julia in a post-apocalyptic shopping center. Driven by love, Davy seeks to resurrect her, guided by a mad scientist, Dr. Frank. The core gameplay revolves around a monster-filled dungeon, where Davy gains powers by consuming a phoenix egg, enabling him to bite enemies, eat their cores, and shapeshift into 11 different forms, including werewolf, harpy, and demon.
Each dungeon visit resets Davy's progress, adding a roguelike element where leveling speeds up with repeated attempts. The game emphasizes attack-focused combat, featuring a parry move for high damage but no guard or dodge options. A body-hacking system allows Davy to attach weapons like swords or guns to his limbs, while the Davy Burst mode enhances abilities as enemies are defeated.
Visuals and Anticipation
With a cartoonish, hyper-colored art style reminiscent of Suda51 games, Stupid Never Dies offers a distinctive aesthetic. The preview showcased fast, over-the-top combat, though questions remain about leveling structure, dungeon variety, and replayability. Despite being a hands-off demo, the game has generated significant buzz for its promising action and character depth.
As the gaming community awaits hands-on experiences, Stupid Never Dies stands out as a title to watch for fans of action RPGs, blending veteran expertise with fresh ideas in a vibrant, zombie-filled world.
