"That exit called paradise"

The big release this past weekend in Europe was No More Heroes, which I picked up on launch day. This in itself is kind of telling, as this isn't normally the kind of game that really gets me excited, which says something about the continuing software drought on Wii. Nevertheless, I'm glad I did, but it comes with some serious caveats.

Essentially, this is a game of two halves. There's no doubt that the game is very seriously broken in some aspects, most notably technically. The textures are poor, framerate drops frequent and the camera is obnoxious. The most talked about aspect of the game in reviews has been the 'job' system, which tasks you with completing boring, menial jobs in order to earn cash to participate in the more exciting battle segments. While I can appreciate that this is done for dramatic effect, and it certainly lends strength to the themes of the game, there's no denying that it's really quite boring, and that's a major problem. I love story and atmosphere in games, but that should never be generated at the expense of gameplay, and that's exactly what No More Heroes does, it mortgages satisfying interaction in order to make a point, a tradeoff I for one definitely don't feel is worth it.

But, in time honoured review fashion, we'll move onto more positive aspects. Though the graphics are basic, Grasshopper Manufacture's trademark cell shaded style renders certain areas, especially characters, terrifically. And speaking of characters, they're the games ace in the whole, from your in game persona, nerdy loser Travis Touchdown, to the various bosses who bar your way. They're a wonderful collection of freaks and monsters, some bloodthirsty, some polite, others just flat out insane, and the wonderful faceoffs, full of great cinematography and loaded dialogue are definitely the game's highpoint. Combat fits in well too, being satisfyingly over the top, and with excellent Wii remote integration. I actually prefer the 'censored' Euro/Japan release, where the enemies dissolve into black pixels (very reminiscent of the effect from Twilight Princess actually) to the full fat US version, where everbody explodes like a broken ketchup bottle, though the Euro versions lack of dismemberments does lead to some very odd discrepancies with the cutscenes.

What I found most surprising about the game is how much of a hardcore gamer's game it is.
It lacks all of the elements that have been introduced over the years to make the experience easier. You have to repeat tasks, slog through corridors and put up with absurd technical and gameplay limitations. But this is compensated for by the numerous in-jokes and references, like the 8-bit graphics, old school sound effects and the brilliant plot, which becomes increasingly irrelevant and ludicrous as the game continues, and frequently contradicts itself. How many other games offer a menu with 'View Ending' or 'View True Ending' as options?

Ultimately then, it's flawed but fascinating. The game is infuriating, and at times downright tedious, but it appeals to the heart and soul of gamers in a way few titles can or indeed want to these days. And for all the niggling problems, that makes No More Heroes a gem.