No More Heroes!

[Baron Samedi]

NMH is so awesome! It almost feels like a Treasure game to me. There's two stances, which are high and low. You get into either by holding the Wiimote up or down. A is attack - with a lightsaber, no less. B is a guard breaker move. You can alternate between up and down, A and B to combo. Both A and B can be charged by holding down either. Once an enemy's health goes, it gives you an onscreen prompt to flick the Wiimote a certain way for a super finishing move. These are stylish, in slow-mo, add a great intensity to game and saves your wrist from endless Wiimote waggling (frickin' Twilight Princess). Once you get a rhythm going, you'll mow through enemies with a bloodlust of A, B, Hold, Wiimote!

Hitting 1 lets you recharge your saber battery by humping the Wiimote - I kid you not. If you don't believe me, just wait till you hit a save point, and you watch our hero pull down his zipper and sit down for a nice, good shit. Nothing beats a shit for a save. Hitting C centers the camera behind you in what amounts to a full screen cut, much like a movie screen cut. It's a little jarring, given the fast gameplay, but it's brimming with creative panache, much like the rest of the game. Twitch players of GoW, DMC or NG will be right at home here with the limited cinematic camera, although the combat is unlike any of those games. The Wiimote gestures really give the game its own feel; it's most noticeable when you parry an enemy's attack by attacking at the same time. This brings up a mini-game, where you must furiously twist your wrist to break the enemy's guard.

Z locks on to the nearest enemy, and immediately sends you into defense mode, which is a very cool, innovative way to doing it. From here you can reflect bullets, Jedi-style, and roll and dodge by tapping the d-pad (no dual analog :(). Killing enemies - and there will blood, and lots of it - builds your special meter, which sends you into Special mode when it maxes out. Special mode causes the already stylish cel-shading to go all crazy, which usually involves something like a negative image, black & white color fallout, or watercolor streaks. The story has solid voice-acting, is well written (for a game :D), and you'll see plenty of ass from the hot chick. In addition, the game has a sort of self-referential, MGS-humor to it that lends itself well to the clever wackiness of its atmosphere. You'll find all sorts of gaming references, from the hero's lightsaber to the three Sailor-Moon type chicks on his shirt who act as the goddesses of continues.

Believe the hype. Looks like we've got our first sleeper of the year. Do yourself a favor, and go buy it. It'll give you a reason to fire up your Wii and to support one of the zaninest, most creative developers in the industry.

EDITED...slightly...

EDITED again with a few paragraph breaks just for Bone :) These are fairly random and added just to break up the wall of text.

[midrael]

I've gotta admit, the preview videos really have me interested in this. Along with this little review, this might be an unexpected purchase for me!

[Baron Samedi]

I've gotta admit, the preview videos really have me interested in this. Along with this little review, this might be an unexpected purchase for me!

Do it! I only had time to beat the first level, but there's this great part, right before the boss, where you get a call on your cell and you actually have to put the Wiimote up to your ear to listen to it. It doesn't come through the TV speakers. So awesome.

[Xerxes]

I thought Heroes was getting canceled. Grrrrrrrr....

[CylonLord]

I couldn't find this anywhere today and I looked everywhere. I noticed tonight that Best Buy shows them available at 5 stores around me so I just did the in store pick-up thing. Hopefully I don't get screwed and I'm able to pick it up on Thursday. I SO wanna play this game.

[H1PO]

If I was bored enough, and had the money, I would totally pick this up. I'll probably just buy this when its in the bargain bin.

[joshkdmw]

I wanted to get this today, but EB didn't have it in.


On the upshot, I finally found a copy of Psychonauts for the PS2 on the used shelf! I've never played it, nor seen it played, and it cost twenty-five bucks!

It was like looking for silver and finding gold.

[H1PO]

I wanted to get this today, but EB didn't have it in.


On the upshot, I finally found a copy of Psychonauts for the PS2 on the used shelf! I've never played it, nor seen it played, and it cost twenty-five bucks!

It was like looking for silver and finding gold.
Dude, thats nothing. I got MGS2 at GS for 5 bucks the other day. That was tight.

[joshkdmw]

Dude, thats nothing. I got MGS2 at GS for 5 bucks the other day. That was tight.

Five bucks? Nice. I've heard it's OK as far as metal gears go, but for five dollars? That's a no-brainer.

[H1PO]

Five bucks? Nice. I've heard it's OK as far as metal gears go, but for five dollars? That's a no-brainer.
Yeah man! I've never played the series before, and with all the MGS4 hype I figured I'd give it a try. The camera is kinda lame, and the controls have some to be desired, but overall the game is awesome.

[Zurik]

Do it! I only had time to beat the first level, but there's this great part, right before the boss, where you get a call on your cell and you actually have to put the Wiimote up to your ear to listen to it. It doesn't come through the TV speakers. So awesome.

That's crazy! I was wondering why he was walking around with a cellphone and i didn't hear anything. Thought it was a bug or something.

[Atepsflame]

I got the original Metal Gear Solid for $5 at a small time used CD/Games store many years ago. It is still probably the best value in gaming I have ever encountered.

[joshkdmw]

Yeah man! I've never played the series before, and with all the MGS4 hype I figured I'd give it a try. The camera is kinda lame, and the controls have some to be desired, but overall the game is awesome.

Aw, it's your first metal gear!?

You should have gotten MGS or MGS3. Both much better. Especially MGS3. It's like digital crack.

[H1PO]

Aw, it's your first metal gear!?

You should have gotten MGS or MGS3. Both much better. Especially MGS3. It's like digital crack.Only one they had in stock. :mad:
I'm gonna try the indie gaming store downtown this weekend, but otherwise, I'm gonna have to order the other two online. I hate paying for S&H, but I love these games.

[mister_slim]

Damn it. I had to cancel my NMH order. Paying bills has a slightly higher priority. Anyway, Edge scored NMH a 9, which is an excellent score from them.

[Deadend]

This game makes me wish I had a Wii to dust off. Of course NMH will be completely outsold by Carnival Games, and Ninjabread Man.

At least I hope it sells better in the US than Japan... and I want the soundtrack.

[joshkdmw]

At least I hope it sells better in the US than Japan...

Me too, but we both know the likelihood of that happening is slim.

[DaXIthR]

Me too, but we both know the likelihood of that happening is slim.

It sold peanuts in Japan - less than 30K I believe. It'll blow that away in the US. In their 2008 Preview feature, Edge gave a sales forecast for each title. They expect NMH to sell between 300K and 600K over its first 3 months on the market.

Perhaps they knew something. Maybe the original shipment was small but the game is selling out. Do your part. Even if you don't buy the game, or buy it right away...go to your local store ask about it. Just call up GS and ask them if they have it in stock. Go to Amazon and search for it. All these little things are ways of contributing to making retailers and publishers aware of your appreciation short of spending cash.

At any rate, it's a myth that Wii owners don't buy software. (Case in point, compare Guitar Hero 3 sales for the Wii and 360.) Like any other Wii title, this will have longer legs and shelf life than software on competing systems.

[mister_slim]

Killer7 sold much better in the West than in Japan, and it wasn't nearly as approachable as NMH.

[joshkdmw]

It sold peanuts in Japan - less than 30K I believe. It'll blow that away in the US. In their 2008 Preview feature, Edge gave a sales forecast for each title. They expect NMH to sell between 300K and 600K over its first 3 months on the market.

Perhaps they knew something. Maybe the original shipment was small but the game is selling out. Do your part. Even if you don't buy the game, or buy it right away...go to your local store ask about it. Just call up GS and ask them if they have it in stock. Go to Amazon and search for it. All these little things are ways of contributing to making retailers and publishers aware of your appreciation short of spending cash.

At any rate, it's a myth that Wii owners don't buy software. (Case in point, compare Guitar Hero 3 sales for the Wii and 360.) Like any other Wii title, this will have longer legs and shelf life than software on competing systems.

Sir, I find your post to contain large amounts of truth.

I will ask about his game, and indeed, buy it. We need more titles like this on the Wii.

[Baron Samedi]

Anybody get further in yet? I have yet to get to the driving parts, but walking around your house is kinda fun.

[D_Reaper]

The driving around is ok, i didnt know the bike had a turbo till my brother messed with it for a bit.

[KSmitty]

Art Style of Killer 7 + Kill Bill + intentional game cliches + cranked up to 11 = No More Heroes

Wow, I had way more fun than I expected in the first few minutes with this games. I laughed out loud throughout the intro tutorial. So over the top, so ridiculous I mean the main characters last name is Touchdown. I like the combat system, although I wish the remote settings were adjustable. You basically have to point the remote at the ceiling to take your high stance. That and the bike controls like a tank, which isn't much of a deal breaker as your bike real only serves to take you from A to B. Another point I haven't seen mentioned, you can retake missions. Which makes you more money, but also gives you another shot at getting a better rating. And the whole getting calls on your cell phone/wii remote was a nice little touch to the game. I recommend this game to anyone who liked Killer 7, Viewtiful Joe or swordplay adventure games. Beware the game features copious amounts of splatter, I'm talking 'B versus the Crazy 88s' level of blood spray.

[Bone]

Kalaquinn, my old eyes are having a hard time parsing your review. Mind inserting some paragraph breaks? The first few sentences you wrote make me think I want this game.

[Nodus]

Yes, i have to admit its a pretty fantastic beat em up style game that is simply dripping with the Suda 51 style.

Graphics are actually not very good, but the style choices are so well done that it often overshadows the fact.

I just finished destroyman last night and i have to say, having been watching the game for so long, its delivering in spades really. Little touches like the killer7-ish music/vibe you get when you enter the K-entertainment building, to the old school difficulty that can occur when trying the Free Missions or a tough new boss (Ouch, shinobu).

Simply awesome game.

[Baron Samedi]

Kalaquinn, my old eyes are having a hard time parsing your review. Mind inserting some paragraph breaks? The first few sentences you wrote make me think I want this game.

Your wish is my command.

[Draconis]

Loaded this up when I got home last night.


Thoughts so far: This game is hilarious, awesome, funny as hell and a downright bloodbath thus far. The tutorial system was one of the best I have ever seen, with the option to continue or skip through every single part of it. That was definitely refreshing to see. The combat system is unique, something not seen on the Wii yet, nor so well implemented on other games. The variety of high or low stances for both the Beam Katana and your physical attacks is awesome, and the game starts to incorporate them well as you progress.



The fight against the 10th ranked assassin at the start of the game was well done by Suda and Co, and had a hint of difficulty that I could definitely appreciate and knew was a foreshadowing of more difficult boss fights as the game would progress. That is awesome for me. I like having to actually struggle for a win. It makes me feel like a better Gamer when I finally take down that Boss. The integration of the Wii Remote into finishing moves and wrestling throws was pure genius. And the game rewards you by going over the top and generating a slot machine which cause random effects to happen. If you get a certain combination, Travis will undergo various different effects which will cause him to roar out the specials name, such as Strawberry on the Shortcake, Blueberry Cheese Brownie, Cranberry Chocolate Sundae, Anarchy in the Galaxy, or Cherry.

Some of these specials are absolutely mind blowing, Blueberry Cheese Brownie for example, will cause Travis Touchdown to have an aiming reticle for a few seconds. During this time, he can fire off fireballs that, upon hitting an enemy, cause them to explode in a shower of gore. There is also the matter of the Sword clashes which I love. The wii remote will be centered on the screen and you need to thrust the wii remote constantly in the direction opposing your opponent. If you win, you get an instant death blow manuever. I must also say that pile driving your opponent and watching Travis finish them off with his beam katana after you've stood back up is a very satisfying maneuver.


I haven't ventured much out of Travis's apartment, but the options inside his home are mindblowing, being able to check out cards, watch movies on his tv, or, best of all and my favorite, play with his adorable cute little kitten named Jeane. The Kitten was just an awesome touch, as it is absolutely adorable to the level that it could kill you if you looked at it too long in adoration.


I watched Travis's tv a bit and watched the original long trailer, which was awesome. [Also of note, Travis will block bullets with his Beam Katana Star Wars style I believe, WOO!] Put simply, theres something thats just so over the top and awesome about a gamer geek/otaku anime/Luchadore wrestling nerd with a Beam Katana (Lightsaber), that goes about hunting down these top assassins all in the dreams that he may, MAY get laid by this hottie blonde.


You guys owe it to yourselves to pick up this game. Seriously, this game is a landmark achievement on the Wii, and is absolutely fantastic. Yes I am being an absolute shill about this but the game deserves it. Its seriously that good.


The voice acting, the language (they curse, ALOT), the style, the art direction, the combat, everything about this game is flipping awesome. Also, I have to give MAJOR props to Suda for giving back the throws to old school gaming. When you recharge your Beam Katanas Battery for example, it gives you an old school video game sound when fully recharged. When you get to the end of a stage, it gives an old asteroids/space invaders style ranking screen. This game oozes personality and style and is definitely worth playing and adding to your collection.


Edit: I also forgot to mention. The Boss fights seem to incorporate levels of strategy not seen in games like this before. For example, against the 10th ranked assassin, you could just dodge and hack away. However, if you could pull off a wrestling maneuver against the boss after successfully stunning, it did ALOT more damage, thusly rewarding you by using both your skills, and your head. Its nice to see a boss fight that isn't mindless.

[Bone]

Thanks Kalaquinn! I really had no idea this game would be good. Reading the developer's description of the game, honestly, felt like listening to Uwe Boll describe one of his own movies.

I guess this is my next Wii purchase. This is the test for all of us so-called hardcore gamers with Wiis... support games like this to encourage more games like it!

[Baron Samedi]

And thanks to Draconis for adding his impressions to mine! Between the two of us, I hope we offer a very compelling reason to not overlook this sleeper.

[Lutheran]

Loaded this up when I got home last night.


Thoughts so far: This game is hilarious, awesome, funny as hell and a downright bloodbath thus far. The tutorial system was one of the best I have ever seen, with the option to continue or skip through every single part of it. That was definitely refreshing to see. The combat system is unique, something not seen on the Wii yet, nor so well implemented on other games. The variety of high or low stances for both the Beam Katana and your physical attacks is awesome, and the game starts to incorporate them well as you progress.



The fight against the 10th ranked assassin at the start of the game was well done by Suda and Co, and had a hint of difficulty that I could definitely appreciate and knew was a foreshadowing of more difficult boss fights as the game would progress. That is awesome for me. I like having to actually struggle for a win. It makes me feel like a better Gamer when I finally take down that Boss. The integration of the Wii Remote into finishing moves and wrestling throws was pure genius. And the game rewards you by going over the top and generating a slot machine which cause random effects to happen. If you get a certain combination, Travis will undergo various different effects which will cause him to roar out the specials name, such as Strawberry on the Shortcake, Blueberry Cheese Brownie, Cranberry Chocolate Sundae, Anarchy in the Galaxy, or Cherry.

Some of these specials are absolutely mind blowing, Blueberry Cheese Brownie for example, will cause Travis Touchdown to have an aiming reticle for a few seconds. During this time, he can fire off fireballs that, upon hitting an enemy, cause them to explode in a shower of gore. There is also the matter of the Sword clashes which I love. The wii remote will be centered on the screen and you need to thrust the wii remote constantly in the direction opposing your opponent. If you win, you get an instant death blow manuever. I must also say that pile driving your opponent and watching Travis finish them off with his beam katana after you've stood back up is a very satisfying maneuver.


I haven't ventured much out of Travis's apartment, but the options inside his home are mindblowing, being able to check out cards, watch movies on his tv, or, best of all and my favorite, play with his adorable cute little kitten named Jeane. The Kitten was just an awesome touch, as it is absolutely adorable to the level that it could kill you if you looked at it too long in adoration.


I watched Travis's tv a bit and watched the original long trailer, which was awesome. [Also of note, Travis will block bullets with his Beam Katana Star Wars style I believe, WOO!] Put simply, theres something thats just so over the top and awesome about a gamer geek/otaku anime/Luchadore wrestling nerd with a Beam Katana (Lightsaber), that goes about hunting down these top assassins all in the dreams that he may, MAY get laid by this hottie blonde.


You guys owe it to yourselves to pick up this game. Seriously, this game is a landmark achievement on the Wii, and is absolutely fantastic. Yes I am being an absolute shill about this but the game deserves it. Its seriously that good.


The voice acting, the language (they curse, ALOT), the style, the art direction, the combat, everything about this game is flipping awesome. Also, I have to give MAJOR props to Suda for giving back the throws to old school gaming. When you recharge your Beam Katanas Battery for example, it gives you an old school video game sound when fully recharged. When you get to the end of a stage, it gives an old asteroids/space invaders style ranking screen. This game oozes personality and style and is definitely worth playing and adding to your collection.


Edit: I also forgot to mention. The Boss fights seem to incorporate levels of strategy not seen in games like this before. For example, against the 10th ranked assassin, you could just dodge and hack away. However, if you could pull off a wrestling maneuver against the boss after successfully stunning, it did ALOT more damage, thusly rewarding you by using both your skills, and your head. Its nice to see a boss fight that isn't mindless.



PLANT!!!!!! :p

Makes me want to go buy the game right now even though I am home sick in bed.

[Zagrash]

I'm at work, so I can't say much now, but I agree with everything that's been said so far. I only got through Finishing off the #10 ranked assassin, but the cinematic afterwards made me just say "wow"

Definitely impressive so far, and I can't wait to get back to playing!

[joshkdmw]

Apparently, this has been pushed back in canada, for a couple weeks.

Ugh.

I wonder why Canada always gets the delays for north America? Our money is as green as anyone else's. IN fact, our dollar is performing very well on the international stage. Yet we get shafted anyway. Wouldn't it make more sense to cut back releases in smaller cities in the US, as opposed to an entire country?

Argh, I'm Livid!

[beefyjr]

I broke down and grabbed this tonight and I think it's pretty awesome. The graphics are absolutely terrible, and are pretty bad even by Wii standards (I think that Killer 7 looks way better, but it's admittedly less ambitious in scope). The combat, at least so far, is a lot of fun. Much more fun/rewarding than Zelda's. As wacky and crazy as you think the game is, it's actually wackier and crazier when you play it. It's pretty funny, and everything is extremely over the top. Despite the obvious lack of polish, it's definitely worth playing. There's really nothing else quite like it. If you have a Wii, you should try to pick it up.

[Lutheran]

Just got home from GS and picked this up , one of the workers brought it in from home as I was about to buy a different game and I snatched it right out of her hands practically. Gotta love paying full price for an unwrapped game but for this game its worth it.

[DaXIthR]

Hearing so many people being completely weirded out by No More Heroes brings to my attention just how underplayed Killer7 is.

If you got No More Heroes, I urge you to track down a copy of Killer7. Can't be more than $5.

[KSmitty]

I broke down and grabbed this tonight and I think it's pretty awesome. The graphics are absolutely terrible, and are pretty bad even by Wii standards (I think that Killer 7 looks way better, but it's admittedly less ambitious in scope). The combat, at least so far, is a lot of fun. Much more fun/rewarding than Zelda's. As wacky and crazy as you think the game is, it's actually wackier and crazier when you play it. It's pretty funny, and everything is extremely over the top. Despite the obvious lack of polish, it's definitely worth playing. There's really nothing else quite like it. If you have a Wii, you should try to pick it up.
Can you say the graphics look bad if that is the intentional art style? Single colors, heavy shadows, sharp lines. I thought NHM pulled off its art design very well. I am loving the game. I am ranked Number 6 right now. I enjoy the assassin missions and some of the 2nd hand jobs are pretty fun too. BTW for anyone that doesn't already know, hunt don't those Lokolov (?) Red Balls. He can teach you some pretty sweet moves.

[Kid Moxie]

I just got this game from GameFly and boy am I glad I did! The gameplay is fast-paced and crazy. I've only gotten past the first boss so far, but I'm already totally digging it!

Who says the Wii can't have awesome 3rd party games!?

[Virtuoso]

This game is phenomenal and gives me hope for the future of the wii.

[Evil Avnovice]

Just beaten the game. The monotony and repetition really sink the game. It's a blast to play, and there's some fun to be had, as long as it's played in small sessions.

After defeating a ranked assassin, there's not much to do other than part-time jobs, assassination missions, and some free fight missions. A little more variety would have helped.

[beefyjr]

Can you say the graphics look bad if that is the intentional art style? Single colors, heavy shadows, sharp lines. I thought NHM pulled off its art design very well. I am loving the game. I am ranked Number 6 right now. I enjoy the assassin missions and some of the 2nd hand jobs are pretty fun too. BTW for anyone that doesn't already know, hunt don't those Lokolov (?) Red Balls. He can teach you some pretty sweet moves.

Don't get me wrong, I think that the art style itself is fantastic, just like the art style of Killer 7 was fantastic. But Killer 7 is, in my opinion, a better looking game because it works better within its limitations. On my 52" DLP (running over component at 480p in widescreen), No More Heroes can be a fucking mess to look at. I think that the game is just too ambitious for it's engine. The style is so amazing that it makes up for it, though. It has more personality than almost every other game I've ever played (except for maybe Killer 7!), I just wish it was a little more polished.

That being said, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to any Wii owner who likes awesome shit. I also think that it's probably the best implementation of Wii control for a "real" game to date. It's the first game I've played so far where I didn't feel that the controls wouldn't be better on a standard pad.

[Baron Samedi]

Summary (http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=17162) of NMH's Critical Reception via Gamasutra

Sadly, it's too bad games like this won't get the support they should on Wii. The hardcore bash Wii, and then fail to support it once something comes their way. :(

[SilentScreams]

All I can think when I look at this game is Dynasty Warriors with a lightsaber. I hope I'm wrong, but that's just what it looks like to me.

[Variable Gear]

Just finished Ranking Match Number Four.

Spoilers:

That scene when Travis falls asleep on the Subway was just so amazing! They make you remove the Nunchuck Attachment and you play a top-down shooter for a bit. It's pretty simple, although I didn't realize that your sword could absorb enemy shots until the boss fight. Absorbing shots increases your special meter which gives you a bomb to use on the enemy, and it also removes all enemy shots from the screen - which is nice. After you get off the train you get a call from Sylvia. I need to remember to turn my Wiimote speaker volume down to at least the second setting, as I always have to move my ear away from the speaker to prevent over-loud noise attacks. She says that Travis has a 2000% chance of victory.

Harvey Moiseiwitsch Volodarski was a freak. Fighting him was kind of a pain, as I hate when he inverts the action. When he captures you and you have to escape from that box was more annoying than anything, although I did love that Travis, HMV, and his two assistants took a bow afterward. That was a nice touch. I skipped it after the first time I saw it though. When Travis threw his Beam Katana I was surprised HMV just received that cut on his eye. At least the saw took care of him!

And after that I bought some new clothes and rescued cats. It was great. I'm pretty close to the amount needed for Ranking Match Three, so I hope I can get that taken care of tonight.

[Lekon]

Just got to the rank 1 fight, and I have to admit... I loved the game. Every boss fight was a hell of a surprise (Number 5 for example) And heck, they were interesting challenges in general.

My favorite line though:

A certain boss says "I can't possibly tell you the truth. It'd up this game's rating even more" Travis "I don't care!" Boss: "Do you want this game to be delayed? What if this becomes No More Heroes Forever?

[Heretic Machine]

Rise from your grave, zombie topic! I just beat No More Heroes, and after seeing the ending, I started reading some forums to see what other people thought. Spoilers follow:

Basically, some people are saying that the little girl (Jeane) that you see in the end credits dreamed up the whole game while looking at that painting. Makes sense to me, and I kind of suspected something along those lines to be revealed after Travis' line in the Jeane fight, "I hope your next dream is more pleasant!" The whole game has the feel of a day-dream, so it makes sense to me. What do you guys think?

[Variable Gear]

I like this game, but it's not hard enough.

Hopefully NMH 2 is better in that regard.

[DaXIthR]

I like this game, but it's not hard enough.

With a title that says, 'Henshin-a-Go-Go, Baby!', I don't think any game is hard enough for you.