Few games will begin the same way as No more Heroes. No cut-scenes, no main menu, no tutorials, just three options, Sweet, Mild or Bitter, before it gives you control of the game’s protagonist, Travis Touchdown. Immediately you know you’re playing something that isn’t afraid to stray from the conventional and do something different. Such thoughts evaporate after five seconds of play when the game pulls the rug under your feet and bombards you with cut-scenes and a lengthy tutorial.
If No More Heroes sounds like it’s as unconventional a game you can get, that’s because it is. The game takes every traditional gaming mechanic and either turns it on its head or satirises it. Travis is aware that he’s a character in a videogame and therefore acts as one (Such a mechanic normally involves him being beaten to a pulp in spectacular fashion in cutscenes yet being at full health when you regain control, an aspect that features in every videogame to date).
First things first, the presentation is sublime. Combining cel-shaded graphics with 8-bit retro stylings may seem like an odd combination in theory but in practise, it actually works quite well. Both are quite distinct in comparison and gives the game a not so subtle nod to its retro heritage (in more ways than one as you play through it). The game experiences little to no slowdown and the game never suffers no matter how much activity is happening ingame. Such an achievement is all the more impressive when you take into consideration the raw graphical power the Wii possesses compared to its console rivals.
The audio is worthy of mention with the soundtrack, consisting of a mixture of techno and rock, fitting their purpose nicely, especially during boss fights while the sound effects, which comes in a mixture both 8-bit sounds and modern sound effects, do their job. The nicest audio touch, however, comes courtesy of the Wiimote which acts as an in-game mobile phone via the remote’s speaker. It’s a clever touch and is representative of the developers approach to think outside the box and realise the proper potential of Nintendo’s machine.
Taking part in a batting mini game is one of many ways you can kill your victims.
In a nutshell, the plot concerns Travis’, a beam katana wielding otaku who resides in the fictional town of Santa Destroy, California, quest to become the number one ranked assassin. Therefore, be prepared to face off with some of the varied and bizarre assassins ever to feature in any medium. Gun slinging detectives with a taste for karaoke, manic superheroes and sword wielding magicians are just some of the characters you’ll face off in Travis’ quest to become number one. Before you can face off against any of the assassins, however, you must earn enough money to pay your entry fee. Cue earning money through part time jobs which ranges from mowing lawns, picking up trash and rescuing lost cats. These mini games tend to range from fun to tedious but thankfully only tend to last for three minutes. They are the key to unlocking the real meat of the game, the assassination missions and No More Heroes’ greatest strength, the combat system.
Essentially, the controls can be simplified down to two buttons, A to swing your beam katana and B to punch or kick. It was a wise move not to make the controls similar to Twilight Princess where you simply swing the Wiimote to attack. Instead the Wiimote is used to determine whether Travis’ attack stance is high or low depending on what direction the Wiimote is tilted. Swinging the Wiimote only comes into play when either executing death blows or wrestling moves (which is also done with the Nunchuck). It’s a system that ultimately works better far better than you can imagine.
Completing a death blow with a flick of the Wiimote normally results in a graphically spectacular kill such as this
While on the subject of the Wiimote, all motion controls are simplified and never feels like it’s tacked on for the sake of it, a sin unashamedly committed by many Wii games. A special mention has to go to the “gesture” needed to charge your beam katana (since it runs on battery power) as it, alongside with Travis’ charging animation, is bound to induce a snigger solely for its juvenile nature.
Despite these positives, the game isn’t without its flaws. Santa Destroy, while not overly large, can still feel barren in most places, the collision detections for your vehicle is quite poor and having to always backtrack to Travis’ motel room to save the game (which is done by going to the toilet) tends to be inconvenient at the best of times but since the meat of the game is on the assassinations themselves, they very rarely detract from the overall experience.
Saving the game comes in the format of going to the bathroom although it is annoying that you have to constantly backtrack to Travis' place just to save.
Also, the game’s pacing begins to tire near the halfway point due to the game entering a routine of upgrade status or equipment, earn money, assassinate, ranked match. Once you reach the halfway point however, the game catches its second wind and all of a sudden the slow pace previously experienced suddenly manifests itself into a sprint towards the finishing line. The plot undergoes the same treatment where a barrage of movie and gaming clichés, red herrings and numerous plot twists being introduced simply because, let’s face it, with the standard it sets itself at the start, you’d be disappointed if it didn’t. By then you’d be enjoying yourself too much to care as you zoom through the game just to discover the next surprise the game throws at you.
Simply put, No More Heroes is definitely up there as one of the best Wii games on the market and with it currently in the shops for a pittance, there’s no excuse for not owning it.
Through Digitally-Tinted Glasses 