No More Heroes: Heroes' Paradise Review (PS3)
Introduction
This is a HD port of the original No More Heroes game from Wii, specifically released for PS3 and Xbox 360. However, only the PS3 version has English release in US and EU regions. This version boasts enhanced graphics such as more detailed character models, bonus content, PlayStation Move support, Trophy support, and some gameplay changes.
Story
Travis Touchdown is a hardcore otaku, who has managed to obtain a beam katana and undergoes a quest to kill the assassins. However, he found out that he must keep killing to avoid being targeted himself. while trying to get Sylvia, the mysterious assassin association member to fulfill his request.
Without spoiling much of the story, the story is decently interesting. Great and likable characters, and great yet crude humour also what make this game memorable. Travis Touchdown is a good and unusual main character, who clearly is an otaku as well as an assassin. Other villains also have memorable personalities and dialogues despite having short appearance times.
Gameplay
This game is an action hack-and-slash game. You will control Travis Touchdown, who will use a beam katana to kill his enemies. The progression is simple. You must acquire a certain amount of money to proceed to the next ranked assassin match. In order to gain that amount of money, you must do side jobs such as collecting coconuts or killing enemies within a time limit. Once you have acquired enough money, you must make a payment for the ranked match, complete a stage and fight the boss waiting at the end of stage.
Exploration is also simplistic, as you can explore in a pseudo open-world called Santa Destroy to take side jobs, ranked assassination missions, or find collectibles. You may explore by either running or driving your bike. In gameplay stages, you have to kill a certain amount of enemies to progress.
You can buy new weapon upgrades for your beam katana such as battery, power, and etc. You may also buy new beam katana models once you have progressed enough in the game. You may also choose to customise Travis' outfit such as jacket, shirt, glasses, and etc for cosmetic reasons.
The combat is hack and slash, where you can use high and low attacks using beam katana on enemies. Enemies can use low or high guard stances in combat, which means you must switch between two different stance attacks as well as defence. Boss fights are more dangerous as they have more dangerous skills for both offence and defence, such as cloning. You also has access to certain special moves such as wrestling moves when enemies are stunned, or use the Death Blow mode to kill regular enemies instantly or damage them heavily.
The gameplay is simple, but extremely repetitive. The combat hardly evolves due to the lack of enemy variety, lack of weapon variety, and etc. Boss fights are generally interesting, with interesting character backgrounds and memorable fights. Exploration is weak, and the progression is extremely repetitive in the game. Unfortunately for this game, the gameplay is pretty mediocre compared to other action hack-and-slash games.
Graphics
The cel-shaded graphics look really great, with great looking characters for Travis and the rest of the Assassins. However, the game has bland environments, for both stages and Santa Destroy open-world.
This game also has technical issues such as screentearing and frame rate drops while playing the game. Although they are noticeable, they are not frequent enough to hamper your playing experience.
Sound
The English voice acting is excellent, with every single voice actor did amazing job portraying their characters. Robin Atkin Downes casting as Travis Touchdown is simply perfect, and I cannot imagine anyone else portraying that character.
The soundtrack is also incredibly catchy, with good themes such as the Assassins boss fight themes and the main theme of this game.
Replay Value
Conclusion
This is a decently good game, with the humour, story, and characters being the only highlights of the game. Unfortunately, the gameplay is not incredibly great, and the graphics took a hit due to the occasional framerate issues. This is a difficult game to give a score, since I like the concept of the gameplay, story, characters and humour, although the gameplay itself feels unpolished. This is definitely a game that is worth playing at least once, if you like crazy humour, story and characters.
Score
Story: 9/10
Gameplay: 5/10
Graphics: 7/10
Sound: 8/10
Final Score: 7.25/10 or 29/40
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Great looking characters.
- Great and funny story.
- Good humour.
- Likable characters.
- Memorable boss fights.
- Catchy soundtrack.
- Great English voice acting.
Cons
- Average overall gameplay.
- Repetitive progression.
- Repetitive combat
- Performance issues, such as screentearing.
**Images are from official PlayStation game page.
This is a HD port of the original No More Heroes game from Wii, specifically released for PS3 and Xbox 360. However, only the PS3 version has English release in US and EU regions. This version boasts enhanced graphics such as more detailed character models, bonus content, PlayStation Move support, Trophy support, and some gameplay changes.
Story
Kill the ten assassins to get to the top.
Without spoiling much of the story, the story is decently interesting. Great and likable characters, and great yet crude humour also what make this game memorable. Travis Touchdown is a good and unusual main character, who clearly is an otaku as well as an assassin. Other villains also have memorable personalities and dialogues despite having short appearance times.
Gameplay
Ride your cool bike to explore Santa Destroy.
This game is an action hack-and-slash game. You will control Travis Touchdown, who will use a beam katana to kill his enemies. The progression is simple. You must acquire a certain amount of money to proceed to the next ranked assassin match. In order to gain that amount of money, you must do side jobs such as collecting coconuts or killing enemies within a time limit. Once you have acquired enough money, you must make a payment for the ranked match, complete a stage and fight the boss waiting at the end of stage.
Exploration is also simplistic, as you can explore in a pseudo open-world called Santa Destroy to take side jobs, ranked assassination missions, or find collectibles. You may explore by either running or driving your bike. In gameplay stages, you have to kill a certain amount of enemies to progress.
You can buy new weapon upgrades for your beam katana such as battery, power, and etc. You may also buy new beam katana models once you have progressed enough in the game. You may also choose to customise Travis' outfit such as jacket, shirt, glasses, and etc for cosmetic reasons.
The combat is hack and slash, where you can use high and low attacks using beam katana on enemies. Enemies can use low or high guard stances in combat, which means you must switch between two different stance attacks as well as defence. Boss fights are more dangerous as they have more dangerous skills for both offence and defence, such as cloning. You also has access to certain special moves such as wrestling moves when enemies are stunned, or use the Death Blow mode to kill regular enemies instantly or damage them heavily.
The gameplay is simple, but extremely repetitive. The combat hardly evolves due to the lack of enemy variety, lack of weapon variety, and etc. Boss fights are generally interesting, with interesting character backgrounds and memorable fights. Exploration is weak, and the progression is extremely repetitive in the game. Unfortunately for this game, the gameplay is pretty mediocre compared to other action hack-and-slash games.
Graphics
Nice looking visuals, with some performance issues.
This game also has technical issues such as screentearing and frame rate drops while playing the game. Although they are noticeable, they are not frequent enough to hamper your playing experience.
Sound
Great English voice acting and catchy soundtrack.
The soundtrack is also incredibly catchy, with good themes such as the Assassins boss fight themes and the main theme of this game.
Moderate replay value.
This game has moderate replay value. You can play the game again in the hardest difficulty mode called Bitter Mode, collect all cards, or even fight five optional boss fights exclusively in this game.
A crazy yet good action game, yet an average port.
Score
Story: 9/10
Gameplay: 5/10
Graphics: 7/10
Sound: 8/10
Final Score: 7.25/10 or 29/40
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Great looking characters.
- Great and funny story.
- Good humour.
- Likable characters.
- Memorable boss fights.
- Catchy soundtrack.
- Great English voice acting.
Cons
- Average overall gameplay.
- Repetitive progression.
- Repetitive combat
- Performance issues, such as screentearing.
**Images are from official PlayStation game page.
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