NO MORE HEROES FLASH ゲーム [Game Watch]

Gamasutra has a great interview up with Masafumi Takada, best known for his work on the Grasshopper Manufacture games killer7 and No More Heroes and contributor on projects ranging from Super Smash Bros. Brawl to Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles. The interview covers a ton of ground, from what it's like to work with Goichi Suda to Takada's work on Samurai Champloo to his theory on composing for games:

Music is really tied to your experiences and memories, similar to how your sense of smell is. If you hear music that you've heard before, it should bring memories from that previous time rushing back. So the game is of course a virtual world, where there are naturally things that don't have any relation to reality.

But perhaps these experiences could happen to you in the future. The music will be tied to these potential future experiences. So I want to create music that will tie you to, and remind you of, the virtual world, but also come back to you in the real world, and create future memories. The soundtrack should recall your old memories, but also help forge new ones.

After you've played the game, when you listen to just the music, I want players to be able to remember the feelings they had at that time, and their feelings of that era.

I, like most people, have an unholy mix of music on my 'favorites' list on my iPod; it's always nice to have some of my favorite gaming tracks sandwiched between diverse music and have those tracks stand out in a good way ('Really? That's from a video game?' is a reasonably common refrain from non-gamer passengers in my car). We do get so attached to music, and I'm so attached to music from some of my favorite games — to think of it as something that should be part of the memory process and not merely unobtrusive background is something that's not new, but important to remember. Somewhat lengthy interview that's certainly worth perusing.

Masafumi Takada: Grasshopper's Musical Craftsman [Gamasutra]

Latest Famitsu [Wii@Everyday]

Zero Punctuation: No More Heroes [The Escapist]

... With all this high regard would come pretentiousness, and everybody would be too scared to admit that they didn't particularly like - or even understand - Konami's latest FPS based on the works of Geoffrey Chaucer, or Square Enix's RPG adaptation of Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazov, in the same way that nobody in the art community will admit that, really, Damien Hirst's stuff is a load of bobbins.

His suggestion on what to do with Finnegan's Wake is brilliant. I'm not sure the world is quite ready for a Dostoevsky-Squeenix mash-up, but it would make for some interesting reviews to be sure.

Blogs
The Ryan Lambie column: the dawn of literary videogames [Den of Geek]

UNTITLED PLATINUM GAMES PROJECT
One of our spies informs us that Grasshopper is currently discussing a new game with the ex-Clover studio.

[Thanks, 87th!]

I want to make a Super Mario game for adults...Maybe Mario could wear an Italian suit and have a machine gun...But Nintendo probably wouldn't like that idea.

With a gun.

Suda wants to make 'Mario with guns' [CVG][image]

This originality will always remain, but I also want us to challenge ourselves by working at making realistic visuals as well. The next title will have a very different style, but keep the Grasshopper feeling at the same time... The Xbox 360. Definitely, I want to develop on this platform. It is really easy to work with. It is also quite popular outside Japan on markets that I would like to aim at. Specifically, I think of the American market as the Major League — I would like to go there and be successful.

Want to see what Wii owners in Europe and Japan are missing out on, in terms of flowing rivers of blood, decapitations and amputations? Then watch xserothx's No More Heroes Death Scene Comparison clips for a study in regional censorship. This is grisly stuff, folks, and not for the faint of heart of virtual murder. Anyone wary of spoilers should skip 'em, as they're essentially every boss fight in the game.

No More Heroes Death Scene Comparisons [YouTube - thanks, Sidepocket!]

So what did the critics think? Hit the jump for our Frankenreview to find out: not quite every review, but probably more than you're going to read anyway.

IGNYou've got the GTA free-roaming that is used for doing individual missions, exploring the city of Santa Destroy, and hitting up a few shops and training areas, which leads the way for the action-oriented story. If the game was based only on the open world style, it would have been a pretty sizable disappointment as far as we're concerned, as there are constant frame issues, pop-in everywhere, very little NPC activity, and a huge overall lack of polish...What it all boils down to is about 10 or so stores and buildings to go into, a handful of mission points that bring you into new loading zones, and some mini-game jobs which are fun, but hardly necessitate an entire open world.

Gamespot
The crux of the action is found in No More Heroes' numerous and impressive boss encounters, where you'll use these subtleties to your advantage, though they don't usually present a foreboding challenge until the final few fights. Yet they're still enormously entertaining, thanks to your opponents' melodramatic (and often hysterical) soliloquizing, interesting attacks, and pure wackiness. Holly Summers launches missiles at you from her fake leg, while Stage magician Harvey Moiseiwitsch Volodarskii locks you up in the box used for his disappearing act...

NGamer
Never before have we played a game that felt so completely in love with being a game - text is rendered in an eighties pixellated font, your map's a sloppy digital display, the whole HUD ripped from Grand Theft Auto without mercy or apology; the ten best assassins table is the high score chart from a 1984 coin-op and the pause menu is like a scene from Tron.

4 Color RebellionThe music in is excellent. The No More Heroes theme is catchy and runs in several variations throughout the game. Fans of Lumines will recognize the song "Heavenly Star" by the Genki Rockets and you can even watch the song's music video from a tape in Travis's apartment...The voice acting is over the top and often hilarious. People have ridiculous accents, crazy rants, and seem to be doing nothing but spouting catch phrases. The dialogue is not good in an Oscar Wilde sort of way, but it is good in an "Army of Darkness" sort of way. No one really sounds like a real person, but nothing in this game ever feels very real to begin with.

InsomniaIn regards to the first point, what's happened here is that the remote/nunchuk functionality is used to mask how terribly shallow the fighting system is. So shallow, that it is quite possible to win half the fights in the game by — get this — turning your back on the TV and mashing the A button while vigorously shaking the remote in random directions.

Back to us—not dissimilarly from the public's reaction to Killer7, No More Heroes garners polar reactions. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't give it a shot.

I am concerned to learn my comments in one interview regarding the success of Nintendo 3rd party titles have been misinterpreted. My point was that "NO MORE HEROES", unlike a lot of Nintendo Wii titles currently available is the kind of product which will attract a different kind of consumer to the hardware. ie. gamers who are looking for a different genre to the products which have been successful on this platform thus far.

Whilst the sales weren't as high as I hoped, other titles for Wii aren't selling so well either. Only Nintendo titles are doing well. This isn't just because of the current situation in Japan, as this is happening outside Japan... Actually I was very surprised about the reality about Wii, because before I was making this game, I wasn't expecting that Wii would be a console targeted only for non-gamers. I expected more games for hardcore gamers. The reality is different to what I expected.

No More Heroes Ships Early [IGN]

1. Boring
2. Not super clear
3. Nor concise
4. Dull
5. Synonym of dull

But this No More Heroes manual is modeled after a comic book and looks to lack Wiimote sketches altogether. Why not take a risk on the manual? It's not like you are going to disappoint anyone if the idea's a miss. Of course, if it is fantastic, chances are that no one will notice then, either.

Marvelous! No More Heroes has a comic book manual [siliconera]

First, let me say how honoured I am that everyone in Europe is expecting No More Heroes....The sales point of this game is action. Both I and Wada san have concentrated on making the best possible action game for the Nintendo Wii. We have chosen to release in Europe the same version as has shipped in Japan considering the broadly growing Wii market.

Studio boss chose to censor Euro No More Heroes [cvg]

I felt sad that NMH ain't doing good in Japan, I decided to show some love to Suda by asking you to post my Wii which is not finished yet but to show support and respect to Suda for making what I know to be a great game, already pre-ordered it but no keychain or toilet paper Damn It! Well thanks for listening!

Japanese game press like IT Media, GA Graphic and Famitsu were at the bust of an event and didn't have any customers to photograph at the launch. According to Akiba Blog, a staffer from Famitsu publisher Enterbrain apparently went and bought a copy of No More Heroes for Wada and Suda to sign. Regardless of what you think of No More Heroes, stuff like this isn't just sad for Suda and co., but for Wii owners ultimately. No More Heroes isn't your typical Wii game, and it seems to be getting punished for that. Hope it does better in the States — for the Wii's sake.

Hit the jump for the mini-skirt cosplay girl.

Nobody Buys It, So the Press Does [Akiba Blog, Thanks Torokun!]

I love few things more than wacky villains who are unnaturally tolerated by fearless protagonists. This may be the longest No More Heroes clip we've ever seen (probably because it was cut by GameTrailers). Seriously, this is like the Lawrence of Arabia of No More Heroes teasers. They should have added a .5 second intermission or something.

Make the jump for the other two videos.

Killer.

America Has No More Heroes [IGN]

Thanks Thor!

Kojima is quoted in the release teasing that he'll be bringing along a "special guest", one whose identity remains unknown. Could Kojima be referring to an in-game guest? We'll find out in just two weeks. The English version of the press release does reveal that Kojima "will be using the presentation to disclose key gameplay secrets and highlight major additions to the Metal Gear universe."

My guess on the matter is that Konami will show an extended or remixed version of the E3 trailer and that Kojima will deviate from his recent playable demo at the PlayStation Premiere event in Tokyo. However, it's possible that Kojima will wow us all with a whole new hands-on scenario, a brand spankin' new trailer built from the ground up, and show Zone of the Enders 3 for the PLAYSTATION 3 and have Suda 51 on hand to show off the next game in the Snatcher project, just to rub it in my face.

Press release right after this.

Hideo Kojima comes to Leipzig!

Legendary Metal Gear Solid creator heads to Games Convention to show playable version of METAL GEAR SOLID 4: GUNS OF THE PATRIOTS

Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH has announced that Hideo Kojima, head of its Kojima Productions studio and creator of METAL GEAR SOLID 4: GUNS OF THE PATRIOTS, will be appearing at this year's Games Convention show in Leipzig to demonstrate a playable version of Solid Snake's latest adventure.

With interest in the game growing at a phenomenal rate, Kojima will be presenting an early build of the game on the Konami stand (Hall 4, Booth B11). It will mark the first time that METAL GEAR SOLID 4: GUNS OF THE PATRIOTS has been shown in playable form in Europe, and Hideo Kojima will be using the presentation to disclose key gameplay secrets and highlight major additions to the Metal Gear universe. The latest trailer for the game will also be shown, with Kojima using it to detail key plot points while also revealing exciting news about forthcoming Metal Gear projects from Kojima Productions.

Due for a simultaneous worldwide release early in 2008, METAL GEAR SOLID 4: GUNS OF THE PATRIOTS is set in a war-torn future where huge conglomerates fight for supremacy using armies of hand-picked mercenaries. This battle-scarred arena is seen through the eyes of an older Solid Snake who has been charged with infiltrating a number of key locations across the globe, including the Middle East and South America.

"When I last came to Leipzig, I promised fans of Metal Gear Solid they would be able to see a playable version of MGS4 - and, to celebrate the special nature of the occasion, I can confirm, that I will bring a special guest with me," commented Hideo Kojima, Director of Kojima Productions. "I love the enthusiasm European games players constantly show towards our titles, and look forward to showing METAL GEAR SOLID 4: GUNS OF THE PATRIOTS at the most important European gaming event of the year."

"METAL GEAR SOLID" and "GUNS OF THE PATRIOTS" are registered trademarks of Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.

METAL GEAR SOLID 4: GUNS OF THE PATRIOTS will be released for PLAYSTATION®3 early 2008 and shown at the 2007 Games Convention in Leipzig between 22nd-26th August.

...more than anything we felt that Grasshopper's style is more suited to the foreign than the local Japanese market...
The Japanese fans are very important to me too, but we want to make a big breakthrough with the Grasshopper name someday, and to that end it's not enough for us to just focus on the Japanese market. I can't give you an exact percentage, but the Western market is extremely important.
When I make games, I always put in a lot of effort toward making them with an image of the Western audience in mind. The Western market is that important to me. I don't make games with only the Japanese in mind, I treat it as though people from all around the world are going to play my games.

...the American and European audiences are more receptive to new games. They welcome change. The Japanese are more close minded and the market is showing signs of rejection towards new games. I think that's the main reason.

Grasshopper Interview [Gamasutra]

While such a listing may simply be an error, it would make a great deal of sense. Killer 7's on-rails gameplay and point-and-shoot action are a good fit for the Wii-remote. Plus, the game would take advantage of the Wii's expanded audience, filling in holes in the console's "mature" category. Still, checking with the usual online retail suspects turns up nothing and recent interviews with Grasshoper honcho Goichi Suda reveal no hints about such a project.

I've got an e-mail in with Capcom to see what they have to say. While this is simply a rumor, something about it smells of truthiness. Michael McWhertor

Killer 7 [Capcom via NeoGAF]

First on the list, though, is a radio serial drama, written by Suda 51. While a radio drama in Japanese that will probably only air in Japan is probably not what Western Snatcher fans were expecting, the future of the "Project S" series is currently unannounced.

I've got my fingers crossed for an upcoming Snatcher cereal announcement. Mmmm. Lightly sweetened puffed corn pops. Michael McWhertor

Suda 51 Reveals Project-S [1UP]

Amid the usual banter and camaraderie, there was as an announcement from Mizuguchi that his next project "is not going to be a video game" but an interesting environmental/convservation themed something. Sounds interesting. I hope that Q? Entertainment can break out of their puzzle rehash rut.

Also hinted at was that Kojima and Grasshopper's Suda 51 may be working on a Snatcher related project. Will it be a sequel to the Sega CD classic from Konami? We don't know! But we're anxiously awaiting the next Hidechan podcast to see what Kojima has to say about it. Michael McWhertor

Kojima Meets Mikami in Snake vs Zombie Event [1UP]

Critics darling and Killer 7 producer Goichi Suda talked about artistry and business at last week's GDC. He explained that there are two types of creators: Business-oriented and art-oriented. For business devs, the client's wishes and expectations are priority numero uno. But the arty-types, it's their vision. (Though, Suda does admit that basically all game developers must be business-oriented, because, well, it is a business!) But at the end of the day, he says that he and his company Grasshopper Manufacture hold art in the highest regard thanks to, and we quote, "punk spirit." Not so much anti-authority, but rather, he's talking about doing something different from others. Take Killer 7, which he made with Resident Evil creator Shinji Mikami. Suda explains:

There are so many big games and big titles, but most of them are copycat... these games are important, but it's really hard to find a [different kind of] game. ...I really hate doing things that other people do... We need to create that kind of game... I'd like to ask publishers to help us and support us [to make more punk games].

Yeah, 'cause do we really wanna be sedated with pedestrian games? Check out the trailer for Suda's upcoming title here.

Hey! Ho! Let's Go! [Next-Gen]

As previously mentioned, the title is being whipped up by Suda 51 (Killer 7) and should be out next year. Here's a couple screenie scans from Famitsu. The game looks 31 flavors of sweet. And those in-game T-shirts we talked about? Gnarly. If there is one man who understands exactly what I want in a video game, that man is Suda 51.

More shots after the jump. Brian Ashcraft

Upcoming Wii game Heroes has been retitled to No More Heroes. The irony is divine. The game was developed by Suda 51, who also brought us the stylized Killer 7 and sounds intriguing. The plot? You're geeky Travis Touchdown, who wins a Light Saber-type weapon called a Beam Katana and kicks off a new career as a professional killer. It takes place in a fictional city in the Western United States. There's a French chick. It's a sandbox-type game. And the game's hero wears otaku-type shirts which were created by Okama, the character designer behind TV hit Densha Otoko's opening scene (above). Cool t-shirts and Light Sabers, can Suda 51 read minds or what?! Brian Ashcraft

Another Rad Grasshopper Game [VGB]

Here at Kotaku, we don't have a cracker jack team of proof readers. When we fuck up, it's because we, and we alone, are checking each of our posts. Ourselves. But, when big companies make an boo-boo, it's because groups of people screw the pooch.

Take the GameCube box for Capcom's Killer 7, which apparently lists the game's website as www.killer7.com, a NSFW site that has nothing to do with video games but everything to do with interracial gang bangs. (The actual game's site is www.killer-7.com.) Whoops! Brian Ashcraft

Eds. Note: Capcom just dropped word that when the game was originally released, www.killer7.com was the game's official site. Since then, it was not able to renew the URL. Another company did instead.

Capcom's Nudie Link [iBloggedThis]

Killer 7 in one word: Cool. The game's designer Suda 51? Anyone who turns up at a promotional events for his games wearing a lucha libre mask is, likewise, cool. Currently at work on a new title for the Wii, Suda, who previously worked as an undertaker and a woman's hand bag salesman, also Game Informer how he broke into the industry:

I love Pro Wrestling, there was a company called Human that has already gone bankrupt, and they were making some very popular pro wrestling games in Japan. They were looking for some new people for a new Pro Wrestling game. I didn't really have any game experience, but I really loved Pro Wrestling, so I just applied and I got it. Since then I've been in the game industry.

And like that, the nutty lucha libre bit makes perfect sense. Gosh! Brian Ashcraft

Suda Talks Heroes And Funny Masks [GayGamer]

While the visual style is nothing short of impressive, the voice over work is, in a word, awful. Obviously the biggest question on most gamers minds, especially those familiar with the ups and downs of K7 is "How does it play?". Details are scarce, but we'll know better when the game ships in Q3 of 2007. Keep your eyes peeled for more details and check out The Wiire for more. Michael McWhertor

[Editor's note: If you're having issues viewing the video, VLC media player comes highly recommended.]

Heroes First Footage and Details [The Wiire]
YouTube Version [Yep, The Wiire couldn't handle it]

Goichi Suda, aka Suda51, sat down with Gamasutra's Brandon Sheffield and a buncha journos to talk about his company's latest release: Contact. Best known for designing Killer 7, Suda took a producer role for the RPG Contact. Tomm Hulette described the game as "a rare breed of quirky RPG that attracts a rabid fanbase with its whacked-out story, setting, and characters." The game also includes animal-training, item-collecting, monster-hunting and mini-games.

When told that the game seems really normal and not wack-o like typical Suda titles, the designer-turned-producer replied:

I think if I'd made it it would've been called Killer Contact or something. And anyway, it's the normal people like me who make crazy games. People who make normal games like Contact are the real crazies. So Akira Ueda [Contact's lead designer] is totally nuts.

And that's coming from a guy that wore a Lucha libre mask while promoting Killer 7! Brian Ashcraft

More Here [Gamasutra]

Gamasutra reports that Killer 7 designer Goichi Suda (AKA Suda51) is making an original game for the Nintendo Wii. The title is apparently Heroes and was schedule for E3 face time, but is not making an appearance for unknown reasons. A shame the game didn't get that public airing.

Wii Suda Game [Gamasutra]