No More Heroes 2

No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle is an action video game currently in development for the Wii video game system. It is being directed by Suda51, developed by Grasshopper Manufacture, published by Ubisoft and Rising Star Games, and has a tentative release date of January 2010 in North America, and February or March 2010 in Europe.

A Japanese release date has yet to be determined, as a press release by Marvelous Entertainment, who were responsible for publishing No More Heroes in Japan, confirms only that Xseed Games will be handling the publishing of Desperate Struggle in North America, and that plans for release in Japan are currently undecided. At their E3 press conference, Ubisoft announced that they are in fact publishing the game.

The Trailer

Gameplay

In a recent trailer and several Famitsu scans, Travis has been seen to dual wield twin beam katanas. Other combat moves are set to be similar to the first game, in an interview with IGN, Suda51 states, “Expect some really cool new wrestling moves,” confirming the reappearance of that particular mechanic. Use of the environment for certain moves is something the developers are looking into adding. Suda has stated that he would like to integrate the Wii MotionPlus peripheral into combat.

Suda51 has also stated that not only will the game world be largely improved over the first game, the sidequests available will be far more varied and will be connected to the main story. The physics and the enemy A.I. will also be improved, to create greater variety in combat.

A “Mark II” version of Travis’ motorbike will be featured, along with a driving overhaul. The number of boss fights will increase. There will be 50 bosses, but some will challenge Travis in groups so this does not mean there will be 50 boss fights. Travis will also have to defend his ranks from people lower ranked than him.

Shinobu and Henry are confirmed to be playable, and play differently than Travis, though the player can’t choose to play as either of them at any time in the game.

Plot

Travis Touchdown, the series protagonist, is said to have withdrawn from the ranks of the UAA for three years. During those three years, Travis has fallen to 51st place, and Santa Destroy has been taken over and renovated by the “Pizza Butt” corporation, who in the first game were looking to open restaurants in the town.

Sylvia Christel, the “agent” who convinced Travis to join the UAA, has returned to invite him back into the ranks once more.

Motivated not only by Silvia, Travis is also fighting to avenge the death of someone close to him. Bishop is shown in a trailer scene where various hitmen hold up his store, brandishing firearms.

The E3 trailer showcased at least one assassin fight against a man, Nathan Copeland, brandishing a morphing beatbox, as well as Kimmy, a teenage schoolgirl and Travis admirer with a double-edged katana who became an assassin to meet him.

Game Specs

Developer(s) Grasshopper Manufacture

Publisher(s) NA Ubisoft / EU Rising Star Games / AUS AFA Interactive

Designer(s) Goichi Suda

Platform(s) Wii

Release date(s) NA January 2010 / EU Early 2010

Media Wii Optical Disc

Input methods Wii Remote and Nunchuk