Writing wise, I'd say this is the best No More Heroes has been bar none. It feels more like a sequel in that regard than even No More Heroes 2, showing a natural extension of Travis, rather than whatever happened in NMH2. Beyond that though, it's genuinely engaging and laugh-out-loud hilarious when it wants to be, too. I think this game got the most laughs out of me when it comes to the series. The aesthetics surrounding the levels are also immaculate. The fake gaming magazines giving hints and previews of levels, the specialized intros for each stage simulating a different niche of games, it's wonderful. The music has an otherworldly vibe, being groovy, chilling, yet also oddly calming at points. All things considered, this game had the potential to be the best of the No More Heroes games.
But then you get to the level design. What happened here? I assume this is largely meant to be played in co-op. But the thing is, with games like that, usually they're rebalanced to be easier in single player and Travis Strikes Again...does not feel like that. Swarms of enemies will strike you relentlessly, you'll navigate these hallways (not NMH1 "hallways", like literal hallways), all while having a moveset that while upgradable and customizable, never feels like quite enough to get through everything the game throws at you. The enemies hit like TRUCKS in this game sometimes, especially in the latter half. It's because of this that I struggled to get through this game. I did it largely for the amazing writing and to see what they'd spoof next, but it wore on me. I think the worst of it does come in the final level, where this labyrinth of enemies just tears through your health bar and it nearly took any good will I had for this game and tore it to shreds. But, as a whole, I can see the passion surrounding Travis Strikes Again, and I can appreciate it. It's a tribute to games, and a bit of a magnifying glass to see what goes on in series director Suda51's head. In that regard, I think it's very endearing. I mean, I still beat the game, and it makes me want to check out the rest of his work, for sure. I just wish that the rest of this game had as much passion injected into it as the window dressing.
(and I also wish each level wasn't like an hour long was that really necessary?)
But then you get to the level design. What happened here? I assume this is largely meant to be played in co-op. But the thing is, with games like that, usually they're rebalanced to be easier in single player and Travis Strikes Again...does not feel like that. Swarms of enemies will strike you relentlessly, you'll navigate these hallways (not NMH1 "hallways", like literal hallways), all while having a moveset that while upgradable and customizable, never feels like quite enough to get through everything the game throws at you. The enemies hit like TRUCKS in this game sometimes, especially in the latter half. It's because of this that I struggled to get through this game. I did it largely for the amazing writing and to see what they'd spoof next, but it wore on me. I think the worst of it does come in the final level, where this labyrinth of enemies just tears through your health bar and it nearly took any good will I had for this game and tore it to shreds. But, as a whole, I can see the passion surrounding Travis Strikes Again, and I can appreciate it. It's a tribute to games, and a bit of a magnifying glass to see what goes on in series director Suda51's head. In that regard, I think it's very endearing. I mean, I still beat the game, and it makes me want to check out the rest of his work, for sure. I just wish that the rest of this game had as much passion injected into it as the window dressing.
(and I also wish each level wasn't like an hour long was that really necessary?)