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No More Heroes in 2008 proved the Wii was able to handle games for serious gamers with the big boys. It had style, it had flash, but most importantly, it had substance. The creative minds at Suda 51 took Hacking and Slashing to a whole new level with humorous inclusions of wrestling moves, intensely gory finishers, and often ridiculous sound bytes. It wasn’t a perfect game but it showed gamers everywhere that the Wii was capable of pushing games outside of the “family friendly” type.

No More Heroes 2 comes out swinging its Beam Katana with even more over the top action, bringing everything that worked and slashing what didn’t. One of the biggest drawbacks from the first title was racing around town on Travis’ bike to get places. As stylish as it was to zoom around town on a rocket powered bike, the town itself was bland. Now, it’s a very easy menu system where the player can pick a spot on the map and is transported there. Takes away somewhat boring biking scene for much faster access to key locations. Of the many locations, a good chunk of them are for the mini games to load up on cash. Although the player doesn’t need to collect money to get the next ranking battle, money can be used to upgrade Beam Katanas as well as change the look of Travis’ gear.

Everything else is pretty much kept the same. The humor of the save system is still in full effect, although once the players get their hands on Shinobu, it’s a bit different. A hot stereotypical anime character taking a steamy shower when saving is a great fan service and adds to the ridiculous humor expected in the No More Heroes world. Just as the first game, this too is a giant tribute to all that is geeky. Suda 51 does not stop itself from creating an over the top homage to Otaku’s everywhere. From giant robot battles to ridiculous boss fights, it’s a game that is able to make just about every scene as fun as possible.

Travis’s odd jobs and training come in the form of mini games like the first title, but this time around a majority of these games are homages to old school 8-bit games. Flipping burgers, catching falling coconuts, and avoiding flying dumbbells are just a few of the ridiculous mini game offerings. Hearing an angry customer swear in 8-bit goodness is sure to put a smile on anyone’s face. Travis’ apartment also offers a couple of mini games like the twitch shooter played on his TV or getting his fat cat, Jeane, into shape. It also features a collection of items found throughout the game that spruces the place up. Even though Travis starts off at rank #51 (after the first battle), he doesn’t actually have to plow through 50 other enemies to hit number 1. The number of bosses in the game are more or less the same amount from the first game, although they can be reached in a shorter time since the player isn’t forced into odd jobs to pay for the next ranking battle because they’re free.

It’s got a standard hack and slash set up with Wii-mote gestures for pulling off finishers or attacking downed foes. The control schemes for the other two playable characters are about the same, but offer slight tweaks. When taking over Shinobu, the player is given the ability to jump. This sort of platforming, unfortunately, is a minor low point of the game since the camera controls are not left to the player, making it easy to get stuck behind platforms and having a difficult time figuring a way out. Aside from the jumping issue, Shinobu’s controls are silky smooth. The hack-n-slash takes on a graceful feminine perspective and manages to be more ruthless than her ‘Master’. Control for the other character, Travis’ twin brother Henry, was an absolute delight! He has Shinobu’s grace, Travis’ abrasiveness, and his own flare which combine for an amazing battle. However, that’s all the players are treated to, just one fight! Controlling Henry was a great addition, though I felt it could have been extended a bit further.

The look of the game has been improved quite a lot since the first game. Though No More Heroes 2 still offers the same cell shaded look, the models are crisper and cleaner. Just as the action has been pushed, the graphics accompanying it have been pushed. The fights are flashier and the motions are smoother. Every sliced limb and drop of blood splattered has been polished to the bone (pun intended). The aesthetics of the game are incredibly solid and this is quite possibly the most stylish game out there, on any platform. Every decision made by Suda 51 when it came down to the graphics has been top notch. For example, the entire sequence with the giant robots is done entirely on purpose to pay tribute to countless shows from the past from Big O’ to Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers. It borrows scenes from those iconic shows and brings a stellar sequence of pure GEEKGASMIC awesomeness. The 8-bit sections especially, which managed to retain the style and humor of the game, came out wonderfully.

Outside of the main story, the game offers tons of mini games and collectibles that will have gamers coming back. The ability to skip cut scenes and jump from boss battle to boss battle also will draw back players who want to relive the incredibly over the top action. It’s definitely worth a rental but most gamers playing it will realize it’s a keeper after finishing the first battle.

- Intense action
- Improved visuals
- Wide array of tributes to old school media
- Fun mini-games
- Removal “world map” travel for easy to use map
- 2 additional playable characters

- Henry only selectable for one fight
- Shinobu’s jumps are sometimes off
- Still no control over camera

The Nintendo Wii has earned a terrible reputation as being a console not for the “hardcore” gamers. I’m not so sure what constitutes a “hardcore” gamer when “hardcore” gaming is often connected to trash talking with 14 year-olds and letting letting them know what one does with their mothers. I’ve been a gamer since I was 4, playing Donkey Kong from my father’s lap, so I think I could consider myself a serious gamer. No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle offers serious gaming for serious gamers. A stark comparison from the many family friendly titles oriented with the Wii, this title provides the argument that the Wii is capable of offering serious titles. Blood, guts, gore, violence, and ultimately glory are well represented in No More Heroes 2, raising Suda 51 from a cult favorite studio to a studio to be reckoned with.