Seven Years On, Travis Strikes Again Still Struggles With What Platforming Means

Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes is a strange, often funny mess of a game, and it knows exactly what it is. The sequel to the original Travis Strikes Again drops the character into a world made entirely of television, where every screen is a stage and every channel is a new fight. It is a game about being a loser, about failing, and about the absurdity of fame. It is also a game about swords, and it takes those swords very seriously.

The setup is simple. Travis Touchdown has been reduced to a small-time TV star, hosting a show called “No More Heroes” that he barely controls. When a mysterious signal pulls him into a television set, he finds himself trapped in a world of screens, fighting through channels to save the station from a threat that wants to erase it entirely. The result is a game that moves between platforming, sword fights, and occasional boss battles, all wrapped in a story that never stops talking about itself.

Trailer, via NintendoAU.

The World of Screens

The visual design is the game’s biggest strength. Each area looks like a different TV channel, from a weather broadcast to a cooking show to a talk show studio. The backgrounds are filled with moving elements, like raindrops falling on a windshield or food being prepared, and the camera zooms in and out constantly, giving everything a sense of motion. It is a clever way to make a small budget stretch, since the environments are mostly flat but full of life.

The humor comes from the writing, which is sharp and self-aware. Travis constantly complains about his lack of control over his own show, and the other characters are just as unhappy with their own fates. The villain, a man who wants to destroy the station, is a perfect example of the game’s tone: he is serious about his goal, but everyone around him keeps interrupting him with jokes. It is a comedy of frustration, and it works.

The Sword Fighting

The combat is where the game stumbles. Travis fights with a sword, and the system is built around a dodge-and-counter rhythm. You press a button to dodge, then press it again to counterattack, and the timing window is tight. It feels good when it connects, but it can be punishing when it does not. The game expects you to learn its patterns quickly, and failure often means losing a lot of health in one hit.

The game also adds a second sword later in the story, which changes the rhythm slightly. This new weapon requires a different timing, and the game does not explain the difference clearly enough. Players are left guessing between the two buttons, and the confusion can break the flow of a fight. It is a small addition that feels half-baked.

The Platforming

The platforming sections are the weakest part of the game. Travis jumps, slides, and runs across narrow ledges, and the controls feel loose and imprecise. There is no real difficulty curve, so the first few levels are easy and the last few are just as easy. The game does not challenge you to learn new moves, and the puzzles are mostly about finding the right path rather than solving anything.

There are moments where the platforming works well, especially when the game lets you run freely through a screen. The speed is fun, and the movement feels light. But the overall structure is weak, and the game relies too heavily on the sword fights to carry its weight.

The Bosses

The boss fights are the highlight of the game. Each boss is a large, elaborate construct, built from the environment itself, and the fights require you to move through the space while dodging attacks. The final boss, in particular, is a towering figure that fills the screen and demands constant movement. These fights are the moments where the game’s ambition shows, and they are some of the best-designed sequences in the game.

The problem is that the smaller bosses are less memorable. Some of them are quick and forgettable, and the game does not give each one enough time to leave an impression. The pacing suffers as a result, since the long stretches between bosses can feel dull when the platforming is not holding up.

The Length

Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes is a short game. It can be finished in under ten hours, and that brevity is both a blessing and a curse. The short length means the game stays fresh, but it also means there is not much room for depth. The game does not offer much in the way of extra content, aside from a few optional collectibles, and the main story is told quickly.

The difficulty curve is gentle. The game is not hard, and it does not demand much skill beyond learning the sword mechanics. That simplicity is part of the appeal, but it also means the game does not push players to improve. There is no real challenge after the first few hours, and the game’s replay value is low.

The Sound Design

The music is a strong point. The soundtrack mixes synth-heavy tracks with a rock edge, and the songs fit the tone of the game perfectly. The voice acting is also solid, with Travis delivering his lines with a deadpan humor that fits the script. The sound effects are minimal but effective, with the sword clashes and the environmental noises adding to the atmosphere.

The audio is consistent throughout, and it helps sell the game’s world. It is a small thing, but it contributes to the overall quality of the experience.

The Final Word

Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes is a game with a clear vision, even if that vision is not fully realized. The world of screens is a clever idea, and the humor lands more often than it misses. The sword fights are satisfying when they work, and the boss designs are excellent. But the platforming is weak, the second sword is confusing, and the game’s brevity means it does not offer much beyond the main story.

The game is a mixed bag, but it is a mixed bag with a clear identity. It knows what it wants to be, even when it does not quite get there. For fans of the series, it is a worthy follow-up, though it does not reach the heights of the original. For newcomers, it is a good introduction, though it may not justify a purchase on its own.

The game’s strengths outweigh its weaknesses, but the weaknesses are significant enough to keep it from greatness. It is a game that is fun to play, frustrating to master, and ultimately rewarding when it works.

Key Facts Box
– Title: Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes
– Developer: Suda51
– Platforms: PS4, PC, Switch
– Release Date: 2019
– Score: 7.4/10

The game is a solid, if uneven, entry in a beloved series. It deserves credit for trying something new, even when the results are mixed. The final score reflects that balance: a game with a great idea and a rough execution, but still worth playing for those who love the genre. It is not a masterpiece, but it is a good time.

Here is how the game’s strengths and weaknesses rank against each other:

1. The world of screens and the humor — the game’s strongest elements.
2. The boss fights — the highlights of the experience.
3. The music and sound design — consistent and effective.
4. The sword fights — satisfying when they connect, frustrating when they do not.
5. The platforming — the weakest part of the game.
6. The second sword — confusing and under-explained.
7. The length — short and shallow, with little room for depth.

game review · PS4 · Suda51 · Switch · Travis Strikes Again