No More Heroes 3 is an intense hack and slash action game following the adventures of Travis Touchdown as he squares off against invading aliens. It is the latest installment in the No More Heroes series (set after Travis Strikes Again), so veterans will be fairly comfortable with the games' playstyle.
Beginners, however, might find themselves a little lost as they wander through the streets of Santa Destroy. There's a lot to do, and while the game takes the time to explain a lot of different mechanics, it also tends to leave some things for players to figure out on their own. Bearing that in mind, here are some tips that players new to the series might appreciate as they venture through No More Heroes 3.
10 Don't Forget To Charge The Beam Katana
Travis's beam katana is an extremely powerful weapon. However, it comes with a great weakness: it must be charged to be used effectively. If the player continues to swing the katana recklessly without care for the battery, they'll run out of power before long.
To avoid this, players should make sure to charge their katana whenever they have time. It can be hard to find an opening to charge up the katana, but it's better to have it consistently at close to full battery than have to find the time to charge up the katana from near-empty.
9 Stay Locked On With The ZL Button
Early on, the game lets the player know they can press the ZL button to have Travis guard. This is an excellent way to have Travis defend against any dangerous attacks.
However, the ZL button also has another use: to lock on to the nearest enemy. While locked on, Travis's attacks will home in towards the enemy, making it less likely that his attacks will miss. Enemies often dash around quickly across the screen, so use the ZL button to keep track of foes.
8 Master Perfect Dodge As Soon As Possible
Combat in the No More Heroes games is extremely fast, and Travis will often find himself up against many enemies at once. It can be easy for beginners to find themselves overwhelmed by the onslaught of attacks, and end up wishing they had picked a lower difficulty.
By pressing the A button right before an attack lands, Travis can perform a perfect dodge, slowing time down momentarily. It allows Travis to land a flurry of blows before the opponent can react, and can also give the player a chance to reassess the situation. In addition, there are some enemies who are hard to land a hit on without executing a Perfect Dodge first. If Travis locks onto an enemy, the reticle will turn purple to indicate the best time to dodge, so pulling this off is a lot easier than a beginner might think.
7 Use Bugzaburo's Sushi To Gain The Advantage
No More Heroes 3's combat can be difficult for new players to get used to. Not only are enemies fast and strong, they have a variety of attacks that can fluster a beginner who hasn't fully mastered the mechanics.
Thankfully, players can visit Bugzaburo's sushi shop to buy consumable items they can use during battle if they are having a hard time. Bugzaburo's sushi can not only restore health and power, but also provide long-term buffs that are useful in battle. While a veteran might deem them unnecessary, a player new to the series might see them as a godsend.
6 Go For The Throw (And Recharge)
If Travis manages to deal enough damage to an enemy, he might be able to stun them. If this happens, he'll be able to land a throw by pressing the ZR button. A throw can deal a lot of damage and is a fantastic finishing blow.
However, throwing has one more benefit that new players might not realize: a successful throw will fully recharge Travis's beam katana to full battery. Going for a throw when the beam katana's power is low is an efficient way to recharge and deal some damage at the same time.
5 Explore The City
In addition to the high-energy combat, No More Heroes 3 also provides a large world to explore. At the beginning, the player may notice a number of question marks all over the map. These question marks often end up being important places for the player to check out, such as new minigames to play or shops to buy food or T-shirts.
Instead of rushing to get to the next boss, the player should spend as much time exploring the various areas of the city as possible. There's a lot to find, and it can all be easily missed if the player simply focuses on the main objectives.
4 Pay Attention To Jeane's Enemy Reports
There are a lot of unique enemies in No More Heroes 3, all with different fighting styles and abilities. Whenever Travis encounters a new enemy, his cat Jeane will often provide a short report right before the battle begins, detailing the enemy's abilities.
Although the report is rather short, they're incredibly useful. The reports often give the player tips that will make it easier for them to overcome their foes. Information is key, and since the game goes out of its way to provide it, it would be a waste not to use it.
3 Hunt Down The Portable Toilets
In No More Heroes 3, Travis can only save by using a toilet. In the beginning of the game, the only toilet available is in Travis's motel room. This can be inconvenient, especially if the player is far away from Travis's motel and cannot return immediately.
Thankfully, there are portable toilets all over that Travis can also use to save. Granted, the player will have to complete a short mini-game before the toilet can be used, but that shouldn't take much effort.
2 Power Up Travis With The Power Up Machine
Sometimes, the game does not thoroughly explain all the resources available to the player. This can result in some players missing out on important aspects of the game if they fail to explore the world.
One place new players might miss is Dr. Naomi's Lab, which is actually situated right under Travis's motel room. A few vital facilities can be found here, including the Power Up Machine, which can boost Travis's stats in exchange for WESN. The Power Up Machine is vital for keeping up with the increasing difficulty, so make sure not to miss it.
1 Get The 80 Chip For Travis's Death Glove
No More Heroes has a history of great collectibles, and No More Heroes 3 is no different. Throughout the game, Travis can find various NPCs who will give him quests to find various objects scattered around the city. This can be hard, especially since the various areas around town are quite large.
The 80 Chip, which players can make in Dr. Naomi's Lab, can make the search easier. When Travis is walking, the chip will emit a beeping sound when he is close to a collectible. Having this chip will ease these collecting quests considerably, so make sure to get it as soon as possible.