Downward F@#$ing Dog! (No More Heroes 2 Discussion)

[Chuckpebble]

So this other game came out on January 26th. It also has a sex scene and some outer space missions. Perhaps it wasn't as highly anticipated as another game that is all about outer space and has alien sex, but I think that it holds its own as far as fun games go.

Anyway, I've beaten No More Heroes 2 already and I wanted to spark a little discussion here with anyone else who's played the game.

Lets talk about Rank matches and spoilers and all that junk, please.

I have a few questions for others who have completed the game as well.

[syntheticgerbil]

I wish I could join in on this, but I still haven't played the first one. Been meaning to, if that counts for anything.

Edited February 16, 2010 by syntheticgerbil

[Squid Division]

So this other game came out on January 26th. It also has a sex scene and some outer space missions.

haha, good lord.

I played about half of NMH1, how does the sequel compare? Is there more variation and more to do, and how much do you need to know about the first one for the second one (my guess is none except for in-jokes)?

[Kolzig]

I have only the first game and it's in my to do list, I only played about an hour of it when I got it.

I hope to be playing it before the summer comes.

The second one I will buy propably in summer or after summer.

[Chuckpebble]

I played about half of NMH1, how does the sequel compare? Is there more variation and more to do

Hmm, you may have to finish the first not to play the second but just because I think you've missed out. One of the things I loved about that game is how it got you thinking that it was very formulaic, earn money, fight through lots of clones, fight boss. The game throws a couple curve balls at you once you think you've figured it out.

how much do you need to know about the first one for the second one (my guess is none except for in-jokes)?

Well, the cutscene right after the very first fight breaks down the fourth wall immediately by having Travis and Sylvia Christal talk about how there is no need to catch up on what happened in the first game. I'd say it stands on its own splendidly.

Here are some changes, I'll start with the ones that I welcome:

-The stark cel shadows are toned way down and it adds to the overall better visual appeal of the game

-No barren overworld, everything is accessed by a menu

-Varied enemies come in all shapes and sizes (no more attack of the clones)

-Side jobs are all retro games. I love them but some people don't.

-Earning money is NOT required to advance the plot, you can simply play through the entire story by selecting the top menu item

-I didn't notice at first, but combat is tweaked heavily, but in such a way that it "just feels right, and that it was always that way". In other words, it was hard to go back and play the original. For instance, you can now run at full speed when locked onto an opponent.

-The up and down tilt of the controller has been slightly altered. It still makes you alternate between high and low attacks, but now high attacks are quicker and low attacks have more power and switching during a combo helps extend it.

-You can roll forward by pressing up on the d-pad, in the original, you could only roll using left right and down on the d-pad.

-You can change the weapon you're using on the fly (although, it does render you completely invincible, which is exploitable, but kind of silly looking when people fly through you)

-You play two other characters who return from the first game.

-Classic controller compatible (a real plus for the mini-games)

-For those of you in the PAL regions, I believe that when the game arrives in (April?) you will be getting the same amount of blood gore and violence that we in the states have enjoyed for both games.

-You can roll while not locked onto an enemy, I'm kind of iffy about this one, while it is a welcome addition at times, in the first game, pressing the d-pad while not locked onto someone adjusted the camera, there are times when I miss that sorely. Now your only options for camera control are, lock onto someone or press C to center the camera.

-No more cool computerized whisper voice introducing your opponent, you don't find out what your opponent's name is until after you've killed them.

-There is a jumping mechanic for one of the characters that is half baked at best. It put me in a blind rage at one point actually. Kind of makes me really appreciate what went into Super Mario Galaxy that much more. Anyway, it was very touchy, but I got used to it. It boils down to facing where you want to go perpendicularly and lining up the camera before jumping. Its a shame really, but it doesn't ruin the whole game.

Anyway, I'm a little sad, I thought more people would have this, there's so much I'm itching to talk about and I think the thread over at the GAF will be long buried before I ever get approved to join in on the conversation.

Well cheers. If anyone else is on the fence about the game I'm here to goad you.

ps - the soundtrack is the bees knees, for sure

Check out my gameplay vid here for a sample of two of my favorite tracks thus far as well as some minor weapon / clothing unlock spoilers.

Edited February 22, 2010 by Chuckpebble
anal retentive grammar junky

[miffy495]

I would be playing this right now if I hadn't just spent all my money on a much needed vacation. I promise I'll talk to you about it eventually.

[Chuckpebble]

So. The only place in the world that has a decent discussion about this game is the gaf, and I can't join in. (I've used the frusty smiley a bit much lately, so I'm going to forgo using it at this obvious point in time.)

Then I come over here and I guess the game just flew under everyone's radar. Its cool, its cool, I'm not gonna twist any arms or anything, I just need to talk about some really interesting spoileresque things that some people haven't noticed yet, not even over on the gaf.

So, with some degree of guilt, I bump this thread. Hopefully these two juicy nuggets will be eye opening to anyone who's played through the game that it justifies my poor forum etiquette.

Mild spoiler bit / not very exciting thing

When you are in Ryan's Gym, in 3D, before talking to him to initiate one of the training mini games, it is just Travis and Ryan in the room. This is true throughout the entire game except for when you enter the gym while you are ranked #2. At this point in the game, there is someone behind Ryan doing back extensions with a dumb bell. I have no idea who that is.

Huge Spoiler / Crazy Speculation theory type thing...

Early in the game, Travis best friend Bishop, the proprietor of the local video store Beef Head Video, is gunned down. Later in a cut scene, Bishop's severed head in a paper bag is thrown through the window of Travis' motel room. This helps set the story in motion as Travis seeks revenge for this.

However!

During a chilling cut scene with the final boss, severed heads of characters that you actually care about are brought in on silver platters. This did a pretty good job of making me want to kick some ass. Halfway through the ensuing battle, though, we discover that the heads are simply lifelike replicas.

I seriously can't be the only person on the internet who thinks that Bishop wasn't really killed, but in fact is behind everything in the game.

In the first game, you could press 1 at any time in the city and Bishop would bring you your motorcycle. Later in the game, he would actually make snide remarks towards you for making him your little go'fer.

Alright, got that stuff off my chest, I guess I'll move onto other things until someone wants to talk about this game.