a mental revolution

…in No More Heroes you sit on the toilet to save the game - I guess making a game for me is a bit like that. When you take a shit, everything you’ve consumed is all mixed together, there are all sorts of things in that - and that’s the same kind of idea, I think. -SUDA 51

The quote above is for Kyle.

There is not much of a chance I will inspire anyone to go get No More Heroes by posting about it here, but I need to at least mention that you should if you have a Wii. In short summary, it is much like Killer7 but with more traditional controls and well developed gameplay. The fighting system is pretty fluid, exciting and often filled with more blood than any game ever. At least that I have played.

The overworld parts between missions are certainly the weak point, but I understand the intent. The action of the assassination levels is so intense that you would be overwhelmed by the game without the interludes. Once you get into a fighting groove you can be in a constant stream of guys just comboing or wrestling non-stop until the level is over.

The point is there are some rough parts, but they do not change the fact that the killing missions are pure fun. Which, if I recall, is generally the goal of entertainment. It doesn’t hurt that the game is presented in a manner unlike anything else I have played. There is a mixture of retro music/sound/art with modern cel-shading which on one hand defines a unique modern visual style while reminding us of how little games have changed over the years. There is a respect for the history of games in both the art and the design of the game, something that was only hinted at in Killer7.

This has grown to be a lot longer than I had intended, but I think it is important to look at this game as it really is the vision of one person and not of some marketing team. It will take a few people, willing to keep refining their unique style, to move games from commercial entertainment to art, and I hope this is the beginning.