No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle
Overview
No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle is the sequel to Grasshopper Manufacture's 2008 game No More Heroes for the Wii. Set three years after the conclusion of the first game, Desperate Struggle heralds the return of Travis Touchdown and Sylvia Christel, although times have seemingly changed for the worse. This time around, Travis is out for revenge due to the death of Bishop Shidux, one of the supporting characters from the original game who owned the video store "Beef Head Videos" and was also Travis's only true friend.
Once again, Travis has to take down ranked assassins in his quest for vengeance. Travis's quest, however, is longer than the first, as he has to start by battling the 51st ranked assassin, Skelter Helter, instead of the 10th. The 51 rankings do not, however, manifest themselves as 51 separate boss fights; many ranked assassins are killed together by Travis or by other characters off-screen.
Additionally, the game features Travis's brother Henry and Shinobu as playable characters for the first time.
Furthermore, Travis' faithful cat Jeane also returns, albeit suffering from obesity. Providing exercise for Jeane through various mini-games she can be restored to a healthy weight at which point she teaches Travis a special move.
Gameplay
No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle retains the same elements that made the first game such well crafted formula. The main objective of the game remains to earn enough cash in order to enter for the next available ranked battle. Travis can still traverse Santa Destory on his Schpeltiger among visiting several locations.
One of the biggest changes seems to be for the first game's money-making side jobs, which are now overhauled with 8-bit graphics and gameplay. Travis can once again catch coconuts or try out burger-flipping. Side jobs do not unlock assassination gigs as they did in the first game; instead, there are "revenge missions", in which Travis hunts down Bishop's killers. Apart from treasure chests with cash in them, side jobs are the only way to make money in the second game. However, ranked matches no longer require "entrance fees"; money can be spent on clothes from the store "Airport 51", new beam katanas, and training at "Ryan's Gym".
Combat
No More Heroes 2 combat is some of the most unique found in any 3rd person hack n' slash/beat em ups. It lends itself to several pedigrees by combining fast weapon combat with quick time finishing moves. All while adding stun techniques that allow for various professional wrestling maneuvers, and powered up states for Travis to perform instant kills and projectile attacks.
Also new to Desperate Struggle are more beam katana types that may be switched on the fly - including the red "peony," which extends as Travis' ecstasy gauge increases but takes longer to swing, as well as the pink "rose nasty", which are two shorter beam katanas that can be dual-wielded by Travis. More wrestling moves are also in the game, such as the gutwrench suplex and the spinning backdrop finisher.
The ability to lengthen the beam katana's combo at Thunder Ryu's gym has instead been replaced by an "ecstasy gauge" - the "tiger meter" that activates during dark side mode turns red as Travis lands more hits on enemies, and turns back to yellow as he takes damage. Once the tiger is red, Travis' combo extends. When the tiger has a white outline, the player can then activate a type of dark side mode by hitting the "-" button.
Minigames
No More Heroes adds an assortment of minigames/side jobs to the original format that allows Travis to earn money faster and uses a retro design in the form of 8 bit games. A majority of the side jobs share similarities and pay tribute to classic games.
Pizza with a Vengeance
Pizza with a Vengeance shares a similar aesthetic and the feel of Sega's Hang On. Overall, Travis is tasked with delivering pizza within a designated time frame on his Schpeltiger.
Man the Meat
Man the Meat plays very similar to Burger Time, where Travis is required to meet certain requirements given by customers and must cook their food to their liking. This is done by holding down the A button until specified cooked time is met.
Lay the Pipe
Lay the Pipe is a puzzle game where Travis needs to use left over parts in order to create a tunnel for the water flow to pass through. The flow of water increases the urgency of well time places and overall strategy.
Bug Out
Bug Out is a mini game where Travis uses a high powered vacuum to clear out rooms of crawling insects that infested have a restaurant.
Tile in Style
Tile in Style is a similar to Tetris but only gives a specified amount of blocks, Travis than needs to fit them into the area before the time expires.
Getting Trashed
Getting Trashed controls very similar to Asteroids, the objective is to collect all floating pieces of garbage while dodging rock like objects. Travis is only able maneuver by using a rocket to propel himself in any 8 way direction and use inertia to move after.
Stings So Good
Stings so good is the only original minigame that has been carried over from the original title. It does not use 8 bit graphics; Travis is tasked with cleaning up scorpions from an open field within a time limit.
Coconut Grabber
Coconut Grabber is a simple reflexes game, where Travis runs into a tree in hopes to knock off some coconuts in which he collects them using a backpack with an open basket.
Bizarre Jelly 5
Bizarre Jelly 5 is a vertical shooter that is accessible in Travis' apartment. It plays similar to games like Raiden or 1941.
Characters
Travis Touchdown
Is the protagonist for the No More Heroes series, and is in many forms, video games most unique and a major anti-hero. Travis is set on fire when the head of his best friend is sent to his apartment. This causes the once retired assassin to wield his beam katana once more as to exact revenge, he is approached by Silvia Christel who promises he will find the answers he desires if he once again, holds the helm of Number 1 assassin.
Sylvia Christel
Sylvia Christel is an agenf of the United Assassins Association and Travis' contact for upcoming Ranked battles. After every match, Sylvia sends a clean up team which destroys the remains of the fallen assassin. She is the former wife of Henry and current love interest for Travis.
Henry
Henry is the twin brother of Travis Touchdown and is first introduced during the Rank #5 battle with Dr. Letz Shake in No More Heroes. Henry appears only after Travis has finally defeated Dr. Letz Shake for a second time in the Rank #10 battle. He than begins to regain consciousness while battling in a dangerous dream environment against Mimmy. He than defeats unnamed assassins #5 and #6 before returning to help Travis against Jasper Batt Jr.
Shinobu
The former #8 ranked assassin, Shiobu is the only opponent who Travis defeated by dismembering an appendage, allowing her to flee and later offer support during the his battle with Jeane. She then traveled Asia, becoming the Number 1 assassin and returns to aid Travis during his struggle against the UAA in his mission to seek revenge for Bishop's life..
Bishop Shidux
Bishop runs the local video store, "Beef Head Videos" and is Travis' only real friend. It is revealed that the dismembered head that arrives at Travis' apartment is Bishop's which is meant to drive Travis out of hiding from the United Assassins Association.
The Ranked Assassins
#51 - Skelter Helter
Skelter Helter is the 51st ranked assassin and the first boss in the game. He is the brother of Helter Skelter and has come for revenge. He bares a striking resemblance to Cloud Strife of Final Fantasy VII.
#50 - Nathan Copeland
Nathan Copeland is the 50th ranked assassin. He is the leader of a cult, and wields a boom box rocket launcher that transforms into a set of robotic arms.
#26 - Kimmy Howell
Kimmy Howell is the 26th ranked assassin. She is a fan of Travis' and challenges him for his rank, not the other way around. She is accessible right after the fight with Charlie Macdonald. Kimmy Howell is the only Rank Defense battle in the entire game, as she attempts to take over your newly acquired Rank #25.
#25 - Charlie Macdonald
Charlie Macdonald is the 25th ranked assassin. He is a football player who, with his group of cheerleaders, pilots a giant mech.
#24 - Matt Helms
Matt Helms is the 24th ranked assassin. He is a ghost of a young child who was abandoned in a house by his parents, who he killed through a pact with the devil.
#23 - Cloe Walsh
Cloe Walsh is the 23rd ranked assassin. When Travis finds her she is locked up in a futuristic prison cell.
#10 - Dr. Letz Shake
Dr. Letz Shake is the 10th ranked assassin. In the first No More Heroes, Letz Shake was Rank #5 only to be killed by Henry, propelling Travis one step further. After a short flashback, Travis finally gets his chance to fight him.
#9 - Million Gunman
Million Gunman is the 9th ranked assassin. Million Gunman is a western styled old man who claims to love money.
#8 - New Destroyman
New Destroyman is the 8th ranked assassin. Destroyman fought Travis in No More Heroes and got cut in half; now he makes a return. Each half of his body is connected to a mechanical side, therefore, there are two enemies to fight now.
#7 - Ryuji
Ryuji is the 7th ranked assassin. Ryuji is a soft spoken samurai who begins the fight with a motorcycle duel.
#4 - Margaret Moonlight
Margaret Moonlight is the 4th ranked assassin. Margaret wields two scythes that can turn into a sniper rifle. May be related to Alice Moonlight.
#3 - Captain Vladimir
Captain Vladimir is the 3rd ranked assassin. He is a Russian cosmonaut who has apparently recently returned to Earth.
#2 - Alice Moonlight
Alice Moonlight is the 2nd ranked assassin. She wields multiple beam katanas using her robotic suit, similar to Doctor Octopus .
#1 - Jasper Batt Jr.
Jasper Batt Jr. is the top ranked assassin. He is the owner of the Pizza Batt food chain that has been popping up all over Santa Destroy.
Not Ranked - Mimmy
Mimmy is not a ranked assassin, rather a character in Henry 's dream, similar to the characters in "Bizarre Jerry 5" and "Pure White Giant Glastonbury" .
Weapons
Blood Berry
This is the standard Beam Katana that Travis starts off with. It has a contracting tip that shrinks into the hilt, Travis than activates the Katana and it extends to full length. The Blood Berry has been the default Beam Katana that Travis has been using since the first game.
Camellia MK-III
This is a modified version of the Tsubaki MK- III, which was the final weapon created for Travis using the sword hilt which was a dying gift from his former mentor, Thunder Ryu.
Rose Nasty
This is the first dual handed Beam Katana which is a parting gift from Travis' friend, Bishop Shidux. It is hinted in the first game, that this style of Beam Katana exists but is unavailable.
Peony
This is the final Beam Katana accessible in No More Heroes 2, and varies in power based on momentum.
PAL Territory Version
SUDA51, the series' creator, announced that two versions of Desperate Struggle will be available in Europe, an "EXTREME" version, which will keep the game's blood intact, as well as a second "milder" version, which will censor the blood similar to the original game's release in PAL territories.
The PAL version was released on May 28th in the UK and May 27th in Australia and New Zealand. In the European version of the game, the theme 'Philistine' has been replaced with a remix version. In the Australian version, it is replaced by yet another remix.
