Finally getting around to Travis Strikes Again, and this game was an absolute blast. I already knew I would love it, since up to this point I've loved all of Suda51's works. And this game feels like a tribute, a love letter to all of Suda's past works, and to the history of video games as a whole. And not only that, it's also a damn fun co-op game, with some really good levels.
Each level in Travis Strikes Again is themed around specific types of games, which I think is really cool. One level had a Resident Evil style mansion while also having platforming sections. Another was this neon racing game, contrasted by a normal looking outside world. And because of this, each level really stands out, and makes each of them really memorable. And not only that, but the soundtrack each area has is just so damn good. I still remember one level in particular made me laugh so hard, and I loved just the pure hilarity of it.
And god, the combat is really fun. There's of course, the basic heavy and light attacks, alongside some jump and dash abilities. However the skills you can unlock allow for some really fun ways to how you want to build your character. The BCB skill chip was easily one of the best in the game, but I also know I didn't experiment all that much. I think if anything, I didn't like certain enemies that I had to fight, but that's pretty much it.
Travis Strikes Again allows for 2 player co-op, and this is easily what made the experience as good as it was for me. I was able to play from beginning to end with a friend, and it was a blast. Co-Op is interesting as well because there are fun choices made to it as well. For one, while characters can level up in the game, both players use the same pool of experience points. So, if you have enough experience points to level up one player, you might not have enough to level up the other. And some skill chips can actually effect the other player in some way, the Shining Chip for example is a grab, and you have the ability to grab the other player and throw them around. It was all around just super fun.
This leads into something I mentioned at the beginning of the review, that being that this game feels like a love letter to Suda51's works, while also to the history of video games. And I still feel like that's true. Travis Strikes Again feels very personal, as it feels like it really shows a lot of Suda51's journey as a game developer. Hell, one of the levels is entirely based around the issues that arose around his time with EA, and how that ended up creating Shadows of the Damned. And it's really unbelievable how many references to Suda's past works appear in this singular game. I'm certain there's some I've definitely missed. It's so damn impressive how each game features an article that looks like how it would in an early gaming magazine, with cheat codes and those odd metrics too. There's so much love and attention properly crafted into Travis Strikes Again, and I really appreciate it for that.
And as a sort of culmination of Suda's life and work, I really love Travis Strikes Again. It's not my favorite of Suda's works, but it's definitely high up there. There's so much love and care put into this one package, and I really appreciate it. All I have left is No More Heroes 3, and I can't wait to see what it all leads up to.
Each level in Travis Strikes Again is themed around specific types of games, which I think is really cool. One level had a Resident Evil style mansion while also having platforming sections. Another was this neon racing game, contrasted by a normal looking outside world. And because of this, each level really stands out, and makes each of them really memorable. And not only that, but the soundtrack each area has is just so damn good. I still remember one level in particular made me laugh so hard, and I loved just the pure hilarity of it.
And god, the combat is really fun. There's of course, the basic heavy and light attacks, alongside some jump and dash abilities. However the skills you can unlock allow for some really fun ways to how you want to build your character. The BCB skill chip was easily one of the best in the game, but I also know I didn't experiment all that much. I think if anything, I didn't like certain enemies that I had to fight, but that's pretty much it.
Travis Strikes Again allows for 2 player co-op, and this is easily what made the experience as good as it was for me. I was able to play from beginning to end with a friend, and it was a blast. Co-Op is interesting as well because there are fun choices made to it as well. For one, while characters can level up in the game, both players use the same pool of experience points. So, if you have enough experience points to level up one player, you might not have enough to level up the other. And some skill chips can actually effect the other player in some way, the Shining Chip for example is a grab, and you have the ability to grab the other player and throw them around. It was all around just super fun.
This leads into something I mentioned at the beginning of the review, that being that this game feels like a love letter to Suda51's works, while also to the history of video games. And I still feel like that's true. Travis Strikes Again feels very personal, as it feels like it really shows a lot of Suda51's journey as a game developer. Hell, one of the levels is entirely based around the issues that arose around his time with EA, and how that ended up creating Shadows of the Damned. And it's really unbelievable how many references to Suda's past works appear in this singular game. I'm certain there's some I've definitely missed. It's so damn impressive how each game features an article that looks like how it would in an early gaming magazine, with cheat codes and those odd metrics too. There's so much love and attention properly crafted into Travis Strikes Again, and I really appreciate it for that.
And as a sort of culmination of Suda's life and work, I really love Travis Strikes Again. It's not my favorite of Suda's works, but it's definitely high up there. There's so much love and care put into this one package, and I really appreciate it. All I have left is No More Heroes 3, and I can't wait to see what it all leads up to.