Preview: No More Heroes

No More Heroes (2008)
Developer: Grasshopper Manufacture
Platform: Nintendo Wii
Purchase Date: 02/03/2008

Played it for a number of hours and it is pretty fun. I heard the European version is going to be stripped of all the gallons and gallons of blood spurts and spatters and that would suck big time. The greatness of the volcanic blood explosions when you mercilessly cut up your enemies have to be seen to be believed! This is of course a cheesy yet delicious common sight in many Japanese movies and games. No More has a weird premise where you play a perverted guy who wants to be the number 1 top assassin of the world. It's like Kill Bill on crack but with less self-absorbed philosophical ramblings, a punk sensibility, and a more demented edge.

I wish there was more freedom to move in real time around the room...

The first half hour puts you straight into the action as you fight your way through a mansion full of goons to kill and a very cool boss battle at the end. As you are fighting this boss, you hear the character's rationale in a resonating, lengthy monologue - Genius! Then... It is Grand Theft Auto-lite as you travel around the city on your bike and play mini games and assassination missions to gain enough money to gain access to the next big target. This portion of the game bores me a bit. I hope it kicks into high gear again soon.

Why is it that almost every game has to have a GTA-vibe these days?

FIRST IMPRESSION: 3 out of 5