1. What makes Travis' Schpeletiger new is that it is now twice as long (in addition to the better controls).
2. This has already been verified, but there have been doubts and concerns as to how Grasshopper is going to have 50 unique bosses, from their appearance to actual fighting capabilities. Suda explains to EDGE that basically there is nothing to worry about as they incorporated both the original NMH development team and the NMH2 team (many members being of both teams including the character creator) to brainstorm and according to Suda they had no problems shooting out several ideas and characters from that.
3. The name of the "schoolgirl assassin" we all know about is Kimmy. How appropriate. Suda also mentions that Kimmy wants to keep Travis "all to her self." Possible Misery references?
4. At the end of every boss fight, a 2D image of Travis will walk from one end of the screen to the other to hop onto the Schpeletiger and drive off, accompanied by some new piece of midi music.
5. The idea of Travis using other weapons, even projectiles, was considered by Suda, but ultimately canned as Suda says that the sword/beam katana is what Travis should always use. Suda calls Travis the "modern samurai."
6. It was implied that Bishop actually does not die or get killed off, as the article explains that Bishop will have a bigger role to play in the game. At the same time, Suda says that "Travis is fighting for himself" not for anyone else. Travis is fighting for revenge, but perhaps for someone else other than Bishop?
7. Speaking more specifically on the city, Suda explains that Travis had actually left Santa Destroy for those three years, and it wasn't until he came back that he had seen how much it had changed. Where Travis had gone is not said. Only a portion of the original city will be traveled, based on fan responses on the first game. The streets and sidewalks will be much more busier and cars will "get out of the way" of Travis' bike. There are construction signs and lights everywhere. One of the fighting grounds will be a "new school", "construction yard", and a graveyard. Not sure if the school is new in the sense that it is an additional one to the Santa Destroy High School or if it is just a remodeled SDHS.
8. There are still side jobs such as coconut collecting and a new one involving plumbing. Suda explains that he still wants the player to feel like he has to work hard to play the game as that is what it means to be a punk. Otherwise, he says, there is a disconnect between the videogame world and reality. Still, the side jobs are still improved and provide humor as well as entertainment.
9. It is confirmed that Destroyman comes back as a cyborg as wanting revenge against, who else, Travis.
10. Finally, the bosses themselves: it will not be as difficult, time consuming, and at times boring to collect enough money to advance to the next boss fight. In fact, Suda purposely wanted to mix things up to keep it from getting repetitive by having Shinobu and Henry as playable characters and, at times, fighting more than one boss fight, sometimes one right after the other, and sometimes simultaneously.
yes, quite possibly. it happens often. critics overlook or underestimate something then when people catch on through word-of-mouth giving it a cult status, the critics and press are quick and ready to love on the next thing in that line.
like how pulp fiction was every critic's wet dream after reservoir dogs gained cult status with very little press
But they're both usually pretty out of touch.
I remember the first game getting good reviews. Undeservedly IMO.
New review
With its retro style, it’s practical use of the classic controller, and it’s more-than-amazing boss battles, Desperate Struggle is yet another masterpiece from the Quentin Tarantino of video games: Suda 51. Attention all devs everywhere: this is how a sequel is made.
Full review hereMetacritic user reviews
Chris C. gave it a10:
I loved the wackiness of the first game, combined with the extreme mature-warranting content and addictive combat it was hard to imagine how it could get any better, and besides the problems with the overworld and some of the side jobs, I didn't think it could. Wrong. WRONG. There are more boss battles and though they're ended a little quicker, they're more memorable with characters quick to become staples in the series wherever it may develop. The side jobs are incredibly fun. As for the new playable characters, Shinobi was give or take for me, but Henry was an absolute blast and I wish they focused more on him. But all in all, this may be the best sequel I've ever played that solidified the No More Heroes franchise as one of my favorites; to stay in my memory and heart forever.
Gary B. gave it a10:
Clearly the most innovative game of the year. By innovation I mean the correct steps towards ways of gameplays that are unique and are showed in over the top ways. I love you No More Heroes 2.
Wes M. gave it a10:
No More Heroes 2 is an improvement on its predecessor in just about every way. It looks nicer, it's more polished, and almost every flaw from the original game has either been fixed or addressed in some way. Gone is the barren, boring overworld, replaced with a map menu system that makes traveling much less of a burden. You don't need to do boring jobs to earn money to progress through the game anymore. The jobs are completely optional, and have been replaced with charming 8-bit minigames that look like they fit right in with the NES library, and are just as fun to play. Combat, while still simple in nature, has been refined and expanded, and is overall a lot more satisfying. If you've been starved for another good Wii exclusive, wait no longer--pick this game up. You won't regret it at all.
Chris T. gave it a10:
I loved the first game. The sequel makes a good amount of changes and tweaks that overall makes the game more fun and polished. I probably the only few people that will miss driving your bike in Santa Destory, but hey at least you can do Boss matches right away now without having to save a big ton of money to move on in the story.
James gave it a10:
Fast-paced, frenetic, and above all else dripping with style, No More Heroes 2 delivers on everything that the original game should have been. For such a spectacular game to be launched on the same day as blockbuster titles such as Mass Effect 2, it deserves every ounce of praise it can garner.
Joe B. gave it a10:
The most over-the-top action GAME on the Wii! The reason why I said game in all caps was because this game makes you feel like you are playing a game instead of a movie. It does not take it self seriously and instead has the most corniest and craziest voice acting this generation.
Jonas Selvig gave it a10:
Tried this game early, and what can I say... Except that it's totally AWESOME! Seriously, this is without a doubt the best game on the Wii, and one of the best games I have ever played! Get it today!
So this is for Iga,
I was replaying NMH last night. On reflection I'm feeling a bit of what you were saying before. It is the motion controls that make the gameplay fun and acceptable even, otherwise you are mainly bashing A. It might be a bit boring with a standard pad.
Also even though the graphics sucked ass, some of it looked presentable, especially the cut scenes.
BUT after I beat the first boss I was back into the horrible overworld, doing boring jobs, to get tickets to do boring assasination missions.
Even if the graphics were better this would still be boring crap that needed to be cut to get to the good stuff.
I hate that they took out the bike riding, probably because of all you haters confusing this for a GTA style game the first time around.
Only 25,000 sold in Jan? Sickening.
If it was out in europe, I would have it. End of April godamnit, I will be playing Silent Hill and Red Steel before this.