
Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes is just over a month away from release on Nintendo Switch, and it looks set to offer a very different and rather intriguing adventure in the No More Heroes universe. It seems that the game is important for the franchise in more ways than one, too; not only is it a kind of side-step in terms of the plot, but its performance could well directly impact any potential for a No More Heroes 3.
As fans will no doubt be aware, the series has - up until now - had two main entries and next month's spin-off title. No More Heroes and No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle both appeared on the Wii around ten years ago, offering unique hack-and-slash experiences that found a natural home on Nintendo's platform. A numbered sequel has been in demand for a while now, and while Travis Strikes Again will be a welcome return to the franchise, a potential No More Heroes 3 will always be high on fans' wishlists.
Luckily, such a game could well make its way to a gaming console near you. In a recent interview with Kotaku, series director Suda51 has noted that the success of Travis Strikes Again could well lead to a new mainline game, going on to explain that he already has an outline for an "epic" No More Heroes 3 in his head.
"If Travis Strikes Again is a success, it could lead to another numbered instalment in the series, so, I'm hoping that everyone will support this spin off entry in the series.
"I already have a composed outline for No More Heroes 3 in my head, and I want it to be way more epic than previous numbered instalments in the series, with regards to Travis and his battle towards the new assassins. Because of that, I felt like Travis needed a kind of sidestep, to sort of add to his growth, giving him a chance to grow a bit before his next big battle in a numbered game. I feel like Travis Strikes Again is really integral to the series, and I want it to connect those numbered instalments together, so I hope people will support it because of that.
We don't know about you, but this certainly sounds like a welcome idea to us. Here's hoping the game can eventually become a reality.
Would you like to see a No More Heroes 3? Are you planning on supporting the series by picking up Travis Strikes Again? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
[source kotaku.co.uk]
Comments 71
I hate these sorts of statements from developers. It's basically sales begging. If your game is good, it will sell well. I'm not buying it for a chance of a sequel, I'm buying it because it's fun. If that leads to a sequel, great.
Edit: You know what, @BenAV is right. It's not just sales begging, it's an ultimatum. "If you want X, you better buy Y." Not cool. Even if true, keep it to yourself and sell your game based on its merits, not on the supposed merits of a maybe-forthcoming maybe-not sequel.
Don't want it. Sorry M rated game, New Super Deluxe Thingy Not Mario Maker Mario Bros Switch U is gonna be what I play
I'm not really a fan of when developers/publishers say things along the lines of "if you want X then you better buy X". I'll definitely be getting Travis Strikes Again regardless though and I hope we do get a No More Heroes 3 in the future.
Now they use blackmail to sell games... :/
Could not they have done an "EPIC No More Heroes" instantly ? Erf...
I love nmh 1 & 2 but this doesn't appeal to me and the begging just makes me not want it at all.
If it's good I'll buy it, I won't buy it to get nmh3
That's called "sales begging", and everyone should know it always does the opposite.
Confirmed. There will not be a No More Heroes 3.
... I will pick up 10 copies.
Whew! I was scared I might’ve been the only one turned off by these statements, but I’m glad others have reaffirmed my feelings. The gameplay doesn’t look awful, but it just hasn’t shown me anything silly and unique yet. We’ll see how this does.
It sort of suggests Suda51 already knows that this game is dead in the water. I get he’s enamoured with indie games, but the whole point of an indie game is a strong enough idea so you accept it’s bare bones execution. This skims off the top of several indie games and tries to form a full priced game but seems a very hollow package to me.
Yeah, what everyone else said.
Wow, I almost don’t even want to give the game a chance now. This guy just pretty much unsold me. Good work.
I was bummed when it was said there wouldn't be a sequel after NMH, and again when Suda said Travis' story was done after NMH2.
I wonder if they will say NMH3 is the last one in the series 🤔
@NoxAeturnus Went here to say the same thing, but I think I couldn't have said it better
Marketing is a skill. Not everyone has it.
@NoxAeturnus I agree with all of your points except that if a games is good it will sell well. That's not true as a lot of your sales depend on brand recognition and marketing. I'm sure even if this game was a masterpiece it wouldn't sell more than a million.
Whelp, guess he just sold TSA:NMH, cause anyone who's even slightly liked this series would like a part 3. Also, he seemed to be "kind of" hinting that NMH3 is going to happen one way or the other, which imo, I think is on the cards regardless-- Can't let the opportunity to use waggle with the joycons get by this generation
I wasn't happy with the preview a couple months ago and even said that I wasn't interested in the game, but am supporting it because I know it impacts NMH3. I then almost retracted that when I found out Robin Atkin Downes was NOT returning, but now I hear he is coming back to voice Travis, so I am still picking up the game, and as I do love Suda51, whether or not we get NMH3, I tend to be pleasantly surprised by any game he makes.
I think many of us will find the Suda51 charm that makes his games endearing even if it's not the NMH we wanted or asked for, but I'll say it: if I buy this game, please don't disappoint us with an NMH3 that is NOT epic!
People I think he’s just being honest. Nowhere does he give an ultimatum. He says if it’s a success then it may lead to a numbered entry (blatantly obvious) then he says he hopes people will support this game (obvious again). Let’s not blow this out of proportion to be pathetic begging and demanding behaviour!
If it’s good I’ll get it. Don’t write this off just yet.
Geez, what a sensitive group.
I for one, like things as they are...and THIS is how they are. Franchise sells, more games appear shortly, franchise flops, well, wait another decade or so. Ironically, on the other hand when a company is found saying "we already greenlighted the sequel" is received with as much scorn.
People overreacting seems to be the kind that piss their pants with "tax increase" but gives three hurrahs to "temporary refund adjustment." Or love how 299.99 sounds but hates that horrible 300 number.
And yeah, I know the how masses are sensitive to how you "spin" the news and how a statement can sound nice or sound evil and how the media MUST know how to make the right calls to get the right response...but I would think most people in sites like this would be above that.
We as consumers, beg developers to make certain games for us. They as developers, beg us to buy their games. We are all begging.
Second, it’s a pretty straightforward thought that if we want to see a sequel to a game, we need to support the developers efforts. If it’s just not good, then really, do we want a sequel?
I too am easily influenced by a snippet of an interview reprinted in an article. There's no way this could have been taken out of context or mistranslated.
I'm going outside to stamp on my copy of no more heroes now!!!!
I never got to play the first or second one so I hope they get ported over
Serieus? Its like begging people to buy a candy you dont like.
I hate these kinda messages makes me want to skip this game.
if a game is good it will sell, if it sucks it wont sell. But beggers like this come on.
Isn't this basically a mini game collection?
Nop... Just make No More Heroes 3 or don't. People will buy this if any good.
I bought Keller7 on Steam last month - happy to support SUDA5 when I can. But "buy this, to get that" is annoying.
I swear, people on this site. Developer or publisher gives a dodgey response: "They're just speaking out their butt, why can't developers just be honest". Developer gives completely honest answer that represents the reality for a lot of series "how dare they beg us to buy he game". This isn't an attempt at begging, this is the good to honest truth. Suda51 has always been known for saying how it is. This is no different.
Now of course, putting himself in a situation where this game is deciding the fate of No More Heroes might not have been his best choice. Regardless of the game's quality it isn't the kind of game to light up the sales charts and I can't really see it doing well.
Preordered Travis Strikes Again without hesitation. There's a shortage of good beat'em up games released physically on Switch. There's the Capcom Beat'em Up Bundle and soon this.
I have to agree, it might not be the best look for Suda but he is just being honest as a creator. Like, currently I don't write novels for a living because I need to pay my bills. And video game development requires a lot more money and outside talent than writing. If this guy's game doesn't sell, it's going to be very hard to get NMH 3 made.
I've never played any of his games, but I'm watching the news about this game.
I feel like people are missing the context here. Kotaku are the ones who asked him if there will be a NMH3. And his answer was basically, “I want to make one and have plans but whether I can depends on how the latest entry is received.” He was backed into a corner and gave the most honest answer he could. Like it or not, this is how most games (and other entertainment mediums) function. Most studios can’t afford to continue releasing games in a studio if they bomb. Doesn’t matter if one entry is experimental or a spin-off, game development is an expensive endeavor and when a game bombs these studios can lose hundreds of thousands of dollars. At least he told us he WANTS to make more. Out of context this does look like an ultimatum but he was answering a question and attempting to be more transparent than the usually PR “I have nothing to announce at this time”. People love to pick apart and read into answers.
If you don’t like this game, don’t get it. If it ends up being bad, then why would you want another game from him? There’s no guarantee NMH3 will be a flop, even if the first two were amazing. This is a majority of game studios work. Why do you think we got a third Golden Sun with a cliffhanger but then never got a fourth? It has always and will always come down to sales.
Why doesn't he just use Kickstarter or something if he needs money for his next game? Saying, 'if my game flops, you guys aren't getting a NMH3' is the wrong way to go about this.
It makes me not want to buy his game (wasn't going to any way; game literally looks like a series of mini games).
@ShadJV Came here to write pretty much what you just said. Every dev pretty much works this way - the difference is, he just openly stated it. Most complaining about his comment would have been perfectly fine with him saying "If there is demand for it, we will make NMH3" or something similar. Different language, but same end result. It's a given that your target audience should actually want to buy your games, before making said game.
"Buy my desperate attempt to stay relevant so I can make the game that people actually want."
@ShadJV Exactly. I don't think anyone should buy this game because they won't get a true third installment if they don't. But, also, don't expect a third installment if no one shows up for it. Who would finance it? Games cost a ton of upfront money to make, and someone always has to be convinced that it is worth the investment. Even if a studio is independently publishing, they are making a decision that has the potential to sink their company.
I buy great games. I'm not an investor.
Stop holding the series to ransom behind this shovelware
He's been saying this pretty much since it got announced. It's not a great tactic but I love the first two games and I've already pre-ordered TSA. Fingers crossed it does well enough. Let's just hope it reviews well.
I'll get this one, I love the franchise. And people are being really mean towards Goichi Suda's request for people "go and get the game". The two previous entries were not smashing hits, and probably funds for this one came from Nintendo, that's why it has a different approach, because of budget reasons. It's much more easier to find a publisher for your game when the previous entry has sold decently well, just enough to justify a sequel. Let's hope this one is a success also in that front.
@NoxAeturnus No More Heroes 2 is a borderline masterpiece and sold nothing.
I’m buying it but I don’t want NMH 3. I want lollipop chainsaw 2
@NoxAeturnus if it's good it will sell well? Plenty of good games haven't sold well. Plenty of sells excessively well.
I will buy it if its good, not because of a third one
@RevampedSpider
Do me a favor : read the entire thread and understand that 90% of the people think like me... So why are you making the focus on me ?
You have a crush on me or what ?
@ShadJV - Thank. YOU.
That was something I felt like writing myself after a few I saw dug their heels in about "make a good game and it will sell." You have no idea how many good games went to the wayside because they simply didn't sell. Been playing Battlerite religiously til Smash but that game struggles getting an audience because how clearly the same stats out how bad you are at a game. But it's solid and fun when you do master it, but won't be selling. Same with Codename STEAM if we're talking about Nintendo ventures that tank.
seems funny, nmh3 would be a different genre than travis strikes again so it's not like they'd appeal to similar tastes, even the world is different isn't it?
@Yomerodes I don’t think people actually read what Suda actually said... just the headline... YouTube and the news media have made everyone into a bunch of snowflakes, overreacting to everything. Look how many more people respond to this than actual news about Travis Strikes Again.
Yeeessss! does happy dance
Pathetic, why don't you focus on making a good game
@MarzipanD Sure. You're right. I've now admitted my terrible error and repented of the sin of poor wording in an otherwise still excellent point - a game's merits are just one factor in a variety of factors that affect its sales success including marketing, release timing, pricing, and others. Feel better now that you've fixated on the least important detail in my statement and quibbled it?
You know what doesn't affect a game's sales significantly? The empty promise of a currently nonexistent sequel. I really don't care if a game's merits result in sales. It doesn't change the fact that this kind of ultimatum is still a shoddy marketing ploy at best.
Nature of the business. Games don’t fund themselves... doesn’t bother me like it used to. At least devs try to go to bat for a fan favorite.
@NoxAeturnus I agree to a certain extent but I hope we can all consider how much game development cost. I wouldn't expect NMH3 if Travis Strikes Again flops. Games that are good and score high can STILL flop sales wise. Again, I completely agree with what you're saying but I also acknowledge the reasons behind that statement Suda51 made.
@RevampedSpider
I did read your first comment and let me tell you that Go Ichi has done anything with his communication.
From my perspective, it's almost like spitting on gamers smartness.
"Hey morons, if you don't buy my sub-indie joke, I swear you'll never see NMH3 during your lifetime..."
I'm sorry but it doesn't work like that...
@NoxAeturnus wasn't so much poor wording as you got carried away on the way to making a salient point.
The thing I will say is I agree with everyone who has issue with the statement. It's one I figure will sell anyway as most stuff on switch does these days. One thought that has popped in my head is that due to the amount of folk who asked why this game wasn't NMH3 when it was announced is another factor that fuelled Suda 51's ridiculous statement.
You already have my preorder, Suda
@Cobalt Learn English please.
Also y'all are all babies.
@NoxAeturnus
I think that's a little dramatic.
He's saying that if it does well, it might lead to a numbered sequel. Which is true.
He's also saying that he hopes people will support the game, as he personally sees it as a meaningful and worthwhile addition to a franchise he enjoys working on. And he really wants to make that next game.
What he is not saying, as that there is guaranteed to not be a third numbered game if Travis Strikes Again does poorly. That he would take that as a defeat or an insult, and stop working on the franchise. He is also not saying that you are not a proper fan if you don't buy it, or that buying it is the only way to "support" the game.
I totally agree that it's easy to smell his intention, but he'd be a poor salesman, and a poor supporter of his own creation, that he worked on for two years, if he didn't try to get people to check it out, who might otherwise reject it for NOT being exactly the same as the previous games.
@gutsack said "Learn English please."
It's what I'm doing...
BTW, learn politeness please. ^^
Should've made NMH3 in the first place then.
"We will only make a proper game if you buy this collection of minigames that are only vaguely related to No More Heroes" - great! Surely a minigame collection of a niche game series will sell like hotcakes!
@Cobalt Come back when you've learned it then.
@gutsack said "Come back when you've learned it then."
Authority is like a tree whose fruit has its quality of the nature of the soil.
You're ground is weak.
@gutsack: I'm interested to hear how many other languages you've managed to become indistinguishable from any native speaker in.
@Cobalt: I don't get why there are some people who consistently react negatively to everything you say. It's almost like they believe it to be a crime to be disappointed and wish to issue death sentences to those who voice that disappointment. Keep on fighting the good fight.
@c2017nlifemedia
I think it's a question of generation.
I started playing in 1980 and I experienced the evolution of gaming until today. This must play a role in the perception of things.
Thanks for the support.
@c2017nlifemedia There's a reason why people reacting to Cobalt negatively... It's because they don't like him turning his opinions into facts and being a Wii U fanboy.
@Pod Yes, you can smell his intent even without a direct statement. There are plenty of legitimate ways to get people excited about this spinoff and drum up sales while showing his enthusiasm for his creation: trailers, demos, advertisements, developer diaries - if he's hoping to excite current fans, do something to show why they should be excited. And if, as I suspect, he senses that his fans will not be excited about this particular spinoff, I think he should be questioning why he made it and not using such a poor tactic to try to get them on board. Using a potential future game as bait is tacky. I'm clearly not the only one alienated by this kind of marketing ploy. Why take the risk?
@NoxAeturnus
It's not a ploy, it's not a risk, and it's not something to worry about.
You wrote in the very first comment on here that you're interested in buying the game anyway, because it looks like good fun. You may take issue with his attitude, but really, it's a miniscule amount of potential customers in the first place, that will be reading Kotaku interviews with the director, and worry about his attempts at forcing the game on anyone.
And if those that do insist on judging the game on its own merits anyway, then what's the harm? You think this will be the "tactic" that turns away thousands upon thousands of paying customers?
Because I doubt that. But you're totally allowed to think that he's a schmuck. Personally, I am unlikely to buy this game, and I'm frankly unlikely to buy a No More Heroes 3 as well, unless they reinvented it quite thoroughly. I'm not going to buy something that doesn't tickle my fancy on the off-chance the next thing will.
If anyone feels pressured here, it's kind of on themselves. But I agree he, should be talking about the game's merits, instead of talking about a potential future game. If this was regular advertisement. But, it's a snippet from an interview, not a broadcast commercial that he got to piece together with his spin-crew, so what can you do.
@Pod Never suggested this statement will hurt the game's sales except, potentially, within the small dedicated fan base. I'm not calling for a ridiculous and hyperbolic boycott, nor am I criticizing Suda's character or body of work - I'm simply saying that his statement is a distasteful misstep, and thus deserves the same criticism I would give to any developer who makes a similar statement. I wasn't suggesting that it would turn away thousands of customers. As you say, this is a snippet from an interview, not an advertisement, not a high profile statement. However, everything about this statement is aimed directly at existing fans of the series and the small crowd that keeps exhausting tabs on every forthcoming game - because who else would even care abotu the potential for a NMH 3? And that's the problem, because alienating your fanbase is never a good idea. That is absolutely a risk, and why take it? I don't think there's anything wrong with saying to fans "I want to make NMH3, I have an idea for it already, but it's not currently in development. We're focusing on Travis Strikes Back right now. I hope you'll try it even though it's a little different." But that's not what he did. He directly tied the potential for NMH3, the thing his fans want, to the sales of this game, the thing his fans have not been excited about. Come on. True or not, what an unnecessary connection to make. Look at the comments here and tell me that his words had his desired effect - at best, the reaction is mixed, at worst it's outright hostile, but I think it's safe to say that few and far between are those who have been convinced to try out the game as a result of it. While the harm is not apocalyptic to the forthcoming game, it's also not nonexistent, and it certainly hasn't done him any favors.
Edit: Travis Strikes Again. Reflex to put Back after Strikes, especially if preceded by Empire.
@NoxAeturnus
I get what you're saying here. A difference in observation is that I don't consider comments around here to be indicative of anything Suda should have done differently.
The quote is taken out of context of him personally being interviewed. So to the question of who else would be interested in a NMH3, the answer is obviously Suda himself. As well as people who have played other games of his, but not this particular series.
I think GTAV, Skyrim, and many others constantly prove that people can take interest in a sequel without having played the previous games. And again, as I pointed out in my first reply, at least I was very keenly aware when reading this, that he isn't thretening with a future game NOT happening if the current one doesn't perform well. He's saying that if it does perform well, a future gmae is more likely, which really should not offend anyone, as it is a very basic observation to make.
So while I understand the frustration people may experience at feeling coerced into buying a game because a different one is being held hostage, any 'misstep' here is really journalists trying to make a quote mean more than it does, or even mean something different. Which they would because such a story better generates comments, gets people arguing, and gets them coming back to the same article multiple times and load in the ads again every tme. Because that's how money are made on internet journalism now, and has been for over five years.
Suda's clean in my book on this particular issue. And I'm happy to hear from him that he's excited to make more with Travis.
@c2017nlifemedia I don't go to websites in whatever backwater country he's from spouting off babelfish inspired rants about children's games and posting laughably misunderstood quotes I assume to be deep and meaningful in a language I don't grasp.
-French
-Russian
-Japanese
-and unfortunately Spanish, fyi, you maroon.
"I hate these sorts of statements from developers. It's basically sales begging. If your game is good, it will sell well. I'm not buying it for a chance of a sequel, I'm buying it because it's fun. If that leads to a sequel, great"
I agree.
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