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No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle similar games & best alternatives

No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle

PC (Microsoft Windows), Wii, Nintendo Switch • 2021

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Quick resume

Continue the fight in the HD remaster of the second entry in everyone's favorite assassin action series! After falling down the ranks of the United Assassins Association, Travis Touchdown whips out his beam katana to reclaim his rightful spot at the top.

Global score

73/100

Genres

Action, Adventure, Hack and slash/Beat 'em up

Similar games

    Pros

    • Engaging and refined hack-and-slash combat
    • Unique and memorable boss fights
    • Strong and fitting soundtrack
    • Humorous and bizarre story with interesting characters
    • Ability to switch weapons and play as multiple characters

    Cons

    • Poor pc port with frequent crashes and broken achievements
    • Lack of open world exploration compared to first game
    • Some minigames are tedious or less enjoyable
    • Occasional clunky controls and camera issues
    • Shorter and less memorable boss fights than original

    Motivations

    • Autonomy

      Game with the same Autonomy vibe

      3

      "Players can choose among multiple characters and use various combat styles and items, with some freedom in exploration and side missions."

      Capsule for Disney Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End Disney Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End

      "Players can choose different characters for certain missions and switch beam katanas mid-combat, allowing freedom in combat style and approach."

    • Competence

      Game with the same Competence vibe

      4

      "Combat is skill-based with timing, combos, and parrying; boss fights require learning patterns and quick reflexes, providing effective challenges."

      Capsule for AWAKEN - Astral Blade AWAKEN - Astral Blade

      "Combat is skill-based with combos, parrying, juggling, and requires mastery of mechanics; boss fights test player skill."

    • Competition

      Game with the same Competition vibe

      2

      "Ranking system and S++ ranks encourage competition against personal bests, but no direct multiplayer competition."

      Capsule for NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound

      "Ranking system and climbing assassin ranks provide some competitive motivation, but no strong emphasis on multiplayer competition."

    • Continuation

      Game with the same Continuation vibe

      3

      "Players express strong attachment to characters and story, with desire to replay for different outcomes."

      Capsule for Tales from the Borderlands Tales from the Borderlands

      "Players express desire to replay and continue due to engaging combat and story, despite some frustration with port issues."

    • Cooperation

      Game with the same Cooperation vibe

      -4

      "Game is primarily single-player with focus on individual progression and battles; no cooperative multiplayer elements."

      Capsule for Everhood 2 Everhood 2

      "Game is primarily single-player with no cooperative multiplayer elements; focus on individual progression."

    • Creativity

      Game with the same Creativity vibe

      2

      "Customization of character outfits and weapons provides some creative expression, though gameplay follows a fixed path."

      Capsule for Major Mayhem Major Mayhem

      "Customization of beam katanas and character outfits, plus side jobs and minigames add creative variety, though within predefined structures."

    • Domination

      Game with the same Domination vibe

      1

      "Some players engage in power projection and domination of others, but interactions tend to be balanced and strategic rather than overtly domineering."

      Capsule for Europa Universalis V Europa Universalis V

      "Some narrative elements involve exerting power over others, but player interactions are mostly individual without social domination."

    • Escapism

      Game with the same Escapism vibe

      4

      "Players use the game as a form of escapism, enjoying immersive story and visuals to distract from real life."

      Capsule for Dreamland Dreamland

      "Players use the game as a form of escapism through its bizarre story, over-the-top characters, and immersive hack-and-slash gameplay."

    • Expectation

      Game with the same Expectation vibe

      -3

      "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and love for the series, not out of obligation or pressure."

      Capsule for Deponia Doomsday Deponia Doomsday

      "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and fandom for the series, not out of obligation or pressure."

    • Experimenting

      Game with the same Experimenting vibe

      3

      "Players try different weapon combos, skills, and explore secret areas, encouraging experimentation within the game mechanics."

      Capsule for AWAKEN - Astral Blade AWAKEN - Astral Blade

      "Players try different beam katanas, experiment with combos and special moves, and explore side missions and minigames."

    • Exploration

      Game with the same Exploration vibe

      -3

      "Missions are mostly linear and maps are reused; limited discovery or open-world exploration."

      Capsule for Gears Tactics Gears Tactics

      "Open world replaced by mission select; exploration is limited to known mission areas rather than discovering new environments."

    • Expression

      Game with the same Expression vibe

      2

      "Players can customize character outfits and weapons, expressing personal style within the game."

      Capsule for ANNO: Mutationem ANNO: Mutationem

      "Players can customize outfits and weapons, expressing personal style within the game's aesthetic."

    • Fantasy

      Game with the same Fantasy vibe

      5

      "Strong fantasy elements with imaginative characters, magical bullet patterns, and a fictional world setting."

      Capsule for Touhou Fuujinroku ~ Mountain of Faith. Touhou Fuujinroku ~ Mountain of Faith.

      "Strong fantasy elements with over-the-top characters, improbable events, and stylized violence in a fictional assassin world."

    • Fellowship

      Game with the same Fellowship vibe

      -4

      "Minimal social interaction or community feeling within the game; primarily a solo experience."

      Capsule for They Are Billions They Are Billions

      "Minimal social interaction or community feeling; gameplay is focused on solo experience."

    • Growth

      Game with the same Growth vibe

      3

      "Players develop skills, upgrade weapons, and learn combat tactics throughout the game."

      Capsule for The Ascent The Ascent

      "Players improve combat skills, learn boss patterns, and upgrade stats and weapons through side missions."

    • Health

      Game with the same Health vibe

      -4

      "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity; some survival elements but no physical exercise."

      Capsule for A Highland Song A Highland Song

      "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity; some minigames involve exercise but are virtual and limited."

    • Idle

      Game with the same Idle vibe

      -3

      "Requires focused attention during combat; not designed for passive or background play."

      Capsule for Panty Party Panty Party

      "Requires focused attention during combat and boss fights; not designed for passive or background play."

    • Intimacy

      Game with the same Intimacy vibe

      -4

      "Limited to superficial character interactions without deep emotional or social bonding."

      Capsule for Regeria Hope Episode 1 Regeria Hope Episode 1

      "Limited to superficial character interactions; no deep emotional or social bonding features."

    • Leadership

      Game with the same Leadership vibe

      -4

      "No leadership or group management mechanics; player acts independently."

      Capsule for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

      "No leadership or group management mechanics; player acts independently."

    • Progression

      Game with the same Progression vibe

      4

      "Players collect upgrades, currency, and unlock new abilities and areas, showing clear progression."

      Capsule for Hyper Light Drifter Hyper Light Drifter

      "Players collect money, weapons, upgrades, and unlock new abilities and outfits, showing clear progression."

    • Relaxation

      Game with the same Relaxation vibe

      1

      "Some players find flow in gameplay, but combat can be tense and challenging."

      Capsule for Dead Effect Dead Effect

      "Some players find flow in combat, but overall gameplay can be tense and challenging, especially boss fights."

    • Sensation

      Game with the same Sensation vibe

      4

      "Vibrant visuals, flashy combat effects, and dynamic soundtrack provide strong sensory stimulation and excitement."

      Capsule for SCARLET NEXUS SCARLET NEXUS

      "Vibrant visuals, dynamic combat animations, and a strong soundtrack provide sensory stimulation and excitement."

    • Status

      Game with the same Status vibe

      2

      "Ranked multiplayer and achievements provide some social recognition and status."

      Capsule for Age of Mythology: Extended Edition Age of Mythology: Extended Edition

      "Ranking as top assassin and unlocking achievements provide some social recognition, though mostly single-player focused."

    • Story

      Game with the same Story vibe

      3

      "Engaging narrative with cutscenes and character development adds depth and immersion to gameplay."

      Capsule for GIGA WRECKER GIGA WRECKER

      "Narrative with characters, plot, and cutscenes is engaging and important to player experience."

    • Strategy

      Game with the same Strategy vibe

      3

      "Combat and boss fights require planning, timing, and tactical use of abilities."

      Capsule for Cookie Cutter: Overkill Edition Cookie Cutter: Overkill Edition

      "Combat and boss fights require planning, timing, and tactical use of moves and weapons."

    • Thrill

      Game with the same Thrill vibe

      3

      "Players experience suspense and excitement in intense battles and boss fights."

      Capsule for Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles 2 Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles 2

      "Players experience suspense and excitement during boss fights and challenging combat sequences."

    • Value

      Game with the same Value vibe

      1

      "Players appreciate story and characters, but some criticize bugs and lack of content for full price."

      Capsule for Neptunia: Sisters VS Sisters Neptunia: Sisters VS Sisters

      "Players appreciate the game's content and story, but port issues and bugs reduce perceived value for some."

    • Violence

      Game with the same Violence vibe

      5

      "Core gameplay revolves around combat, defeating enemies, and boss battles with various weapons and skills."

      Capsule for Flamebreak Flamebreak

      "Core gameplay revolves around combat, killing enemies, and violent boss battles."

    • Survival

      Game with the same Survival vibe

      3

      "Players must manage health and avoid death in challenging combat and boss encounters."

      Capsule for Shotgun Legend Shotgun Legend

      "Players must avoid death and manage health during combat and boss fights to progress."

    Analysis

    Less representative of its motivational profile, with noticeable differences. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Competition, Fellowship, Domination, Status. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Fellowship, Cooperation, Leadership.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

    Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

    Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers.

    Where to buy

    Come talk about it on Discord!

    Last update: 30/04/2026