It’s been a while since we’ve had a Nintendo game that didn’t use motion controls for mini-games or sports. In 2021, that’s when “No More Heroes III” kicked the door in with force to make a violent, foul-mouthed entrance, but stubbed its toe in the process. It’s a trip back to old times that’s welcoming and mostly fun, just with a few jagged edges.
Former assassin Travis Touchdown has returned, but he’s not killing fellow assassins this time. A gang of ten despicable aliens are trying to conquer Earth, all being led by the volatile Prince FU. Ironically, this is Travis’ opportunity to become a hero for the first time in the “No More Heroes” series by doing what he does best: cutting people down with his beam-katana.
Nostalgia is the strength of “No More Heroes III,” because it sticks to what made the series so great: wicked hack-and-slash gameplay. Just like eighteen years ago, it’s still awesome to begin fights with Travis summoning the beam of his sword. Afterward, it’s time to have fun.
Many changes have revamped the old formula, and they work, including the omission of where you strike based on how high you wield your Joy-con. It’s simplified to where pressing “Y” is a medium attack and “X” is a heavier blow. You can also now jump during brawls, and performing perfect dodges is easier thanks to a visible prompt, allowing you to suplex your enemies for harsher damage.
Kills still spin a slot machine that grants power-ups, but nothing here beats how you could turn into a tiger in “Desperate Struggle,” or how Travis could sling fireballs from his katana while swearing every swing.
Motion controls are fully utilized to emulate the feeling of finishing off foes with your sword when the prompts appear. Additionally, you still recharge your beam-katana’s energy by shaking your controller suggestively. You can play “No More Heroes III” handheld, but where’s the fun in that? This game was made for motion.
Nowhere is this showcased better than in boss battles. This series houses some of the best bosses in gaming history, and this intergalactic motley crew will stomp you into the ground. They change their tactics, and some even change genres.
One fight had me play a lethal game of musical chairs. Another placed me in a parody of “Fatal Frame” before our duel by locking me in a haunted school from a first-person perspective. There are even a few returning bosses from the other games.
There were times where Travis felt a little overpowered, mainly because of his new abilities. Travis can launch a devastating kick, slow time in a small area, deploy a floating circle that spits projectiles, and force-throw people. If you utilize these and any buffs from sushi, the fight could end in under 2 minutes with Travis looking like he’s beating up a boss in a corner for lunch money. It’s fun and laughable but remember: Travis is a nerd that won a beam katana at an auction, he’s not the Incredible Hulk.
Flunkies have their fights separate from boss battles, and their locations are themeless. While enemy types are diverse, these segments seem rushed, and it’s hard knowing you must win three before each duel in addition to paying the entry fee.
Acquiring money is a chore since “No More Heroes III” adopts its first game’s tedious open-world scheme, refusing to do it justice. Frame-rates drop as you drive around poorly designed areas to find paying jobs.
Mini-games like unclogging toilets and mowing grass were not my first choice, because who wants to do that in a video game? The better way of obtaining payment is through wave-based fights, scrapping with outer-space behemoths, or engaging in deadly drag races.
Fans will notice that this game emphasizes narrative compared to previous entries. It combines the franchise’s faux-anime tomfoolery with a parody of the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the style of a Netflix series. However, the cutscenes are a little excessive. I know I’m playing “No More Heroes III,” I don’t need an intro for every chapter.
Travis and FU take turns hogging the spotlight. Travis will always be everyone’s favorite otaku assassin, but FU’s villainy shines through his violent temper tantrums that even scare his brethren.
Grasshopper Manufacture’s humor is still present. “No More Heroes III” doesn’t take itself seriously, shoehorning in profanity just because and even breaking the fourth wall. Lots of dialogue made me giggle, like how Sylvia persuaded Travis into continuing down the ranks with a bribe that was probably inappropriate judging from how it was censored.
“No More Heroes III” is a nice trip back to the simpler, more mature side of the Wii. It’s an interesting continuation of Travis Touchdown’s path as an assassin, but it’s a bumpy road in places when it comes to pacing and performance. However, Grasshopper Manufacture knows how to have fun, and it’s evident in the combat- the core to a great hack-and-slash.
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