Publisher: Marvelous Europe Ltd.

No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle (2010)

by Christopher
written by Christopher 6 minutes read

Summary

No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle: A Deeper Dive into the Otaku Assassin’s World

No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle, the sequel to the popular Wii game No More Heroes, was released in 2010 and continues the tale of punk anti-hero Travis Touchdown, the Japanese anime Otaku, and pro wrestling-obsessed assassin. After finding himself at the bottom of the UAA (United Assassins Association) rankings, Travis must wage war to become the No. 1 assassin once again.

Gameplay

No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle retains the addictive gameplay of its predecessor, with its mix of over-the-top action, humor, and unique boss battles. Players control Travis as he uses his beam katana and wrestling moves to defeat enemies and progress through the game.

One of the key new features in Desperate Struggle is the ability to wield two beam katanas at once. This allows Travis to perform new and more powerful attacks, and it also opens up new possibilities for strategy and combat.

Another new feature is the inclusion of multiple boss battles. In the first game, Travis typically fought one boss at a time. However, in Desperate Struggle, he often has to face multiple bosses simultaneously. This makes for some truly epic and challenging battles.

Story

The story of No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle is more complex and developed than that of its predecessor. Travis finds himself caught in a web of intrigue and betrayal, and he must fight his way to the top of the UAA while also dealing with his own personal demons.

The game features a cast of colorful and memorable characters, including Travis’s love interest Sylvia Christel, his rival Henry Cooldown, and the mysterious Jasper Batt Jr. The story is full of twists and turns, and it keeps players guessing until the very end.

Graphics and Sound

No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle features cel-shaded graphics that are both stylish and distinctive. The game’s world is full of vibrant colors and exaggerated characters, and the action is fast and fluid.

The game’s soundtrack is also excellent, with a mix of punk rock, electronica, and traditional Japanese music. The voice acting is also top-notch, with Travis Touchdown being voiced by Robin Atkin Downes in one of his most iconic roles.

Reception

No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle was met with critical acclaim upon its release. Critics praised the game’s addictive gameplay, unique art style, and memorable characters. The game was also a commercial success, selling over 1 million copies worldwide.

Legacy

No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle is considered to be one of the best action games of its generation. The game’s unique blend of style, substance, and humor has made it a cult classic among gamers.

The game has also been praised for its innovative gameplay, which has inspired other games such as Bayonetta and Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance.

Conclusion

No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle is a must-play for fans of action games, Japanese culture, and unique video game experiences. The game’s addictive gameplay, memorable characters, and stylish visuals make it a truly unforgettable experience.

10/10

Review Score

8.5/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

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Senran Kagura: Estival Versus (2015)

by Nish
written by Nish 7 minutes read

Summary

Senran Kagura: Estival Versus: A Review

Senran Kagura: Estival Versus is an action game developed by Marvelous and Tamsoft and published by Xseed Games. It was released on PlayStation Vita in Japan in March 2015 and in North America and Europe in May 2015. It was later ported to PlayStation 4 in September 2016 and to Steam in December 2017.

Estival Versus is the fourth game in the Senran Kagura series, and it is a direct sequel to Senran Kagura: Shinovi Versus. The game follows the story of the five main characters from the previous game as they travel to a remote island for a summer vacation. However, their vacation is cut short when they are attacked by a group of mysterious enemies.

The gameplay in Estival Versus is similar to that of the previous games in the series. Players control one of the five main characters and fight their way through hordes of enemies using a variety of melee and ranged attacks. The game also introduces a new “Shinobi Transformation” system, which allows players to transform their characters into more powerful versions of themselves.

Estival Versus features a large cast of characters, each with their own unique fighting style and personality. The game also has a variety of different game modes, including a story mode, a survival mode, and a multiplayer mode.

Story

The story of Estival Versus takes place after the events of Senran Kagura: Shinovi Versus. The five main characters from the previous game, Asuka, Homura, Yumi, Miyabi, and Haruka, are invited to a remote island for a summer vacation. However, their vacation is cut short when they are attacked by a group of mysterious enemies.

The enemies are led by a woman named Hibari, who is the leader of a group of shinobi known as the Crimson Squad. Hibari is determined to defeat the girls and take their Shinobi Scrolls, which are powerful artifacts that can be used to control the power of the Shinobi.

The girls must team up and use all of their skills to defeat Hibari and her Crimson Squad. They must also learn to control the power of the Shinobi Scrolls in order to save themselves and the world.

Gameplay

The gameplay in Estival Versus is similar to that of the previous games in the series. Players control one of the five main characters and fight their way through hordes of enemies using a variety of melee and ranged attacks. The game also introduces a new “Shinobi Transformation” system, which allows players to transform their characters into more powerful versions of themselves.

The Shinobi Transformation system is activated by pressing the L1 button. When a character is transformed, their stats are increased and they gain access to new abilities. Transformations last for a limited time, and they can only be used once per stage.

Estival Versus features a variety of different game modes, including a story mode, a survival mode, and a multiplayer mode.

  • Story mode: The story mode follows the story of the five main characters as they travel to a remote island for a summer vacation. The story mode is divided into several chapters, each of which features a different boss battle.
  • Survival mode: In survival mode, players must fight through waves of enemies in order to survive. The difficulty of the waves increases as the player progresses.
  • Multiplayer mode: The multiplayer mode allows players to compete against each other in a variety of different game modes. The multiplayer mode supports up to four players.

Characters

Estival Versus features a large cast of characters, each with their own unique fighting style and personality. The five main characters are:

  • Asuka: Asuka is the leader of the Hanzo Academy shinobi. She is a skilled fighter and a natural leader.
  • Homura: Homura is a member of the Hebijo Academy shinobi. She is a skilled kunoichi and a master of disguise.
  • Yumi: Yumi is a member of the Gessen Academy shinobi. She is a skilled archer and a master of stealth.
  • Miyabi: Miyabi is a member of the Hattori Academy shinobi. She is a skilled swordswoman and a master of ninjutsu.
  • Haruka: Haruka is a member of the Yagyu Academy shinobi. She is a skilled fighter and a master of hand-to-hand combat.

In addition to the five main characters, Estival Versus also features a number of other playable characters, including:

  • Hibari: Hibari is the leader of the Crimson Squad. She is a skilled fighter and a master of the Shinobi Scrolls.
  • Kagura: Kagura is a member of the Crimson Squad. She is a skilled fighter and a master of the kusarigama.
  • Minazuki: Minazuki is a member of the Crimson Squad. She is a skilled fighter and a master of the naginata.

Graphics and Sound

The graphics in Estival Versus are colorful and vibrant. The character models are well-detailed and the environments are lush and detailed. The game also runs smoothly, even with the large number of enemies on screen.

The sound in Estival Versus is also top-notch. The voice acting is excellent and the music is catchy and upbeat. The sound effects are also well-done and add to the overall atmosphere of the game.

Overall

Senran Kagura: Estival Versus is a great action game with a fun cast of characters and a ton of content. The combat is fast-paced and satisfying, and the story is surprisingly engaging. If you’re a fan of the Senran Kagura series, or just looking for a good action game to play, I highly recommend Estival Versus.

Score: 8/10

Review Score

8/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

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