By Patrick Cavasos
Staff Writer
No More Heroes 2 features some adult themes as a M-rated game, nothing too serious in this article but this must be known to anyone interested in this game and series however 2 is the most violent and dark of the series and those themes come into play a lot more here compared to the events of No More Heroes 1 so this review is generally darker in topics. No More Heroes 2 is seen by many fans as the black sheep of this series as it’s the only installment not directed by Suda51 whose work shines with his own style and flair which is noticeably lacking in this game as Suda simply takes on a minor writing support role.
The title of Desperate Struggle is a perfect description of Travis’s journey throughout this game as it begins a couple years after the events of the first game. Travis has since left the assassination rankings and is invited by an anonymous challenger to a duel, it’s here hwere he find himself plotted right back into the rankings in which he’s dropped to rank 50 and the challenger ‘Skelter Helter’ reveals to him that he’s sent assassins to kill Bishop, Travis’s best friend. Travis now finds himself in a desperate struggle for vengeance for Bishop and the glorification of an assassin ranking within Santa Destroy. Many twists and turns arrive upon the way through Travis’s journey that massively impact him and the story as a whole.
The gameplay of No More Heroes 2 is much more longer and complex then what was featured in the first title as now Travis has many more attack mechanics such as his tension meter which fills up and allows him to power up after every couple combos and the massive change in attacks that comes with the different kinds of Beam Katanas that Travis purchases throughout the game. The Tsubaki from 1 returns and plays just like were used to, the Peony arrives as a new katana that constantly grows in strength and size as Travis gains more health but always attacks slowly and finally there’s the Rose Nasties which is a pair of dual beam katanas that while weak attack much faster and are far more combo friendly than any other katana in the game. While the minigames return they are more so just there for optional upgrades and are never necessary to finish the game, the levels this time don’t have many distractions either as they nearly all just focus on katana combat with enemies or boss with 1 or 2 motorcycle sections thrown between them. The real appeal in this title is the crazy story that never seems too predictable to the player.
While the assassins may be more stereotypical villain figures or dramatic battles it’s nice to throw around philosophies with one another at times even if it doesn’t get quite as meaningful as the events within the first game. This game is filled with character just like the first although it’s all in different places and wants to be its own experience, while it definitely stands high compared to many other games it is lacking something that just made the first game such an interesting, meaningful and lovely experience. While it still has the accessible factor for many newcomers it’s not suggested you begin here as it loses much it’s impact without the other titles. Overall I heavily suggest this game to any fans of the first or anyone wanting to discover the bizarre world of Suda51’s Kill The Past series.