No More Heroes Symbolism (Conclusion!)

[Overusedname]

Well this post exploded overnight. Thanks a lot ya'll!

excellent video and subscribed, I'm surprised that you decided not to get into the space shooter mini game, phone messages, Henry, and a certain infamous boss fight. you could make a whole additional video from just that stuff and another from the sequel. (hint hint)

If there's anything I learned from earlier videos, it was that I needed to focus on the most important stuff. I sliced out some footage addressing some of that stuff...I might upload some extended footage at some point.

OR HOLD OUT FOR THE DVD.

...I'm about 2 years ahead of myself with that one aren't I? And I'll cover the sequel at some point, don't worry.

I always thought speed buster was in some way related to time or age. she wears mourning clothing, kills the older master, has an unstoppable attack, and if weapons are phallic she has the biggest of them all. even the name speed buster points to that in some ways if you read it as someone who destroys speed, a trait of youth.

That's...pretty interesting. She was certainly the oldest character.

In terms of the old lady, she might be a reference to feminine empowerment. The fact that she uses a phallic weapon but HATES MEN might mean something. She's kind of an enigma, but I feel like her cannon has something to do with the hatred of men.

That's a cool idea as well...

Keep thinking about this. This woman is honestly confusing me XD

I'll try to get to the other comments when I get a sec. Thanks for all the feedback guys!

 

[Gigano]

Interesting watch.

The title of the game is blunt but apt if it's criticizing violence. All the way back to Greek mythology a "hero" was a skilled warrior who went into battle for the good of his community[footnote]As their legends tell, most of them are actually motivated by quite selfish reasons, and the community/country/king they fight for might well also be up to no good. But fighting for king and country makes you a hero regardless. Sounds familiar?[/footnote], or was just favoured by a deity. Non-combatants weren't ever heroes, a notion that by and large persist to this day. These days the latter parts have kind of dissolved, while the first part remain. Hence the rise to prominence of the anti-hero, with far more relatable and realistically blurred motives, but no less violent methods. Guess the title is as much a plea as it is a statement.

Suda51 never was subtle with his criticisms of the negative effect he believes media and culture can have: This is the guy who in a later game have a boss who can damage the player's health with the letters of offensive words. Alas meaning that anyone to whom Freedom of Speech is dear should be wary about supporting his games.

 

[Euryalus]

I've not been able to get very far in NMH (Schoolwork piled up on Friday D so I still can't speak to the later fights (REVIEW STUFF I'VE PLAYED DAMNIT xD) but I must say this episode was pretty somber. The stuff you said about violence reminds of this quote by two psychologists (Bushman and Anderson I think) who study violence in media.

"About 350 characters appear each night on prime-time TV, but studies show an average of seven of these people are murdered every night.

If this rate applied in reality, then in just 50 days everyone in the United States would be killed and the last left could turn off the TV."

I don't think people give as much thought to what they consume as they should. I'm not saying violence media is a bad (Far from it, GTA FTW), but I think a little self-conciousness would be a good thing.

 

[Lalo Lomeli]

It seems I have a new web-video-series to follow

 

[Overusedname]

Interesting watch.

The title of the game is blunt but apt if it's criticizing violence. All the way back to Greek mythology a "hero" was a skilled warrior who went into battle for the good of his community[footnote]As their legends tell, most of them are actually motivated by quite selfish reasons, and the community/country/king they fight for might well also be up to no good. But fighting for king and country makes you a hero regardless. Sounds familiar?[/footnote], or was just favoured by a deity. Non-combatants weren't ever heroes, a notion that by and large persist to this day. These days the latter parts have kind of dissolved, while the first part remain. Hence the rise to prominence of the anti-hero, with far more relatable and realistically blurred motives, but no less violent methods. Guess the title is as much a plea as it is a statement.

Suda51 never was subtle with his criticisms of the negative effect he believes media and culture can have: This is the guy who in a later game have a boss who can damage the player's health with the letters of offensive words. Alas meaning that anyone to whom Freedom of Speech is dear should be wary about supporting his games.

Thank ye. And I always thought he wanted violence to have an artistic purpose, that's impression I got from his work anyway.

Offering critism doesn't neccesarily mean he's pro-censorship, but I can understand your analysis. He's counter culture with regards to his violent topics, but the guy still loves wrestling after all.

I also love you greek myth reference. Their tropes still influence fiction all over the place.

 

[False Nobility]

In terms of the old lady, she might be a reference to feminine empowerment. The fact that she uses a phallic weapon but HATES MEN might mean something. She's kind of an enigma, but I feel like her cannon has something to do with the hatred of men.

That's a cool idea as well...

Keep thinking about this. This woman is honestly confusing me XD

I'll try to get to the other comments when I get a sec. Thanks for all the feedback guys!

I also think that her age can't be a coincidence. I think the fact that she killed someone close to Trav is pointing out how tragic death is when you're on the receiving end.

 

[Gigano]

...
Thank ye. And I always thought he wanted violence to have an artistic purpose, that's impression I got from his work anyway.

Offering critism doesn't neccesarily mean he's pro-censorship, but I can understand your analysis. He's counter culture with regards to his violent topics, but the guy still loves wrestling after all.

I take Travis accidental(/author insert) epiphany to be meant quite literally: You shouldn't seek meaning in everything, especially not violence. As in, not ever in violence, which is why the hero - inherently violent however noble his goal - need to go as something we place admiration and faith in. No more Heroes, please!

Otherwise, all it takes is a con-lady messing with a deadbeat loser, and we've potentially got a killing spree on our hands. Anybody can become violent in a culture that attach meaning to it, men and women, young and old, Travis meets them all, and they're all as lost, pitiable, and despicable as himself. That Suda51 then simultaneously use/ridicule "lower" Japanese/American culture in his games is then where the importance of an "artistic purpose" comes in.

In fact, I'd go as far as saying that Suda51 is kinda trolling his audience[footnote]He actually wouldn't be the first Japanese game developer to do this, though he'd undoubtedly be the most commercially successful.[/footnote] by making ultraviolent games in overblown low culture settings, which say that such things are meaningless drivel that could even be harmful. And gets away with it because it's all so quirky and over the top, and ultimately a refreshing change from all the games playing it safe. I respect that he has the guts and skill to pull it off, even if I rather dislike the message (which might not be as harsh as I perceive it though).

I also love you greek myth reference. Their tropes still influence fiction all over the place.

That they do. Almost on par with the Abrahamic ones, and arguably overtaking them.

 

[Overusedname]

...
Thank ye. And I always thought he wanted violence to have an artistic purpose, that's impression I got from his work anyway.

Offering critism doesn't neccesarily mean he's pro-censorship, but I can understand your analysis. He's counter culture with regards to his violent topics, but the guy still loves wrestling after all.

I take Travis accidental(/author insert) epiphany to be meant quite literally: You shouldn't seek meaning in everything, especially not violence. As in, not ever in violence, which is why the hero - inherently violent however noble his goal - need to go as something we place admiration and faith in. No more Heroes, please!

Otherwise, all it takes is a con-lady messing with a deadbeat loser, and we've potentially got a killing spree on our hands. Anybody can become violent in a culture that attach meaning to it, men and women, young and old, Travis meets them all, and they're all as lost, pitiable, and despicable as himself. That Suda51 then simultaneously use/ridicule "lower" Japanese/American culture in his games is then where the importance of an "artistic purpose" comes in.

In fact, I'd go as far as saying that Suda51 is kinda trolling his audience[footnote]He actually wouldn't be the first Japanese game developer to do this, though he'd undoubtedly be the most commercially successful.[/footnote]

He's definitely messing with us somewhat. That's something he's very good at.

My own sense of humor may be coloring my perception, but Suda's work seems...affectionately mean, if that makes sense. Like, he trolls us cause he loves us. He wants to improve his genre and community, and maybe that is a little arrogant, but he certainly raises good points. And like you said, he does it in such a funny way it's hard to hate him.

 

[Overusedname]

In terms of the old lady, she might be a reference to feminine empowerment. The fact that she uses a phallic weapon but HATES MEN might mean something. She's kind of an enigma, but I feel like her cannon has something to do with the hatred of men.

That's a cool idea as well...

Keep thinking about this. This woman is honestly confusing me XD

I'll try to get to the other comments when I get a sec. Thanks for all the feedback guys!

I also think that her age can't be a coincidence. I think the fact that she killed someone close to Trav is pointing out how tragic death is when you're on the receiving end.

That was the first place my mind went, but I wasn't sure enough to come out and say it. I still think it's a valid theory.

 

[False Nobility]

In terms of the old lady, she might be a reference to feminine empowerment. The fact that she uses a phallic weapon but HATES MEN might mean something. She's kind of an enigma, but I feel like her cannon has something to do with the hatred of men.

That's a cool idea as well...

Keep thinking about this. This woman is honestly confusing me XD

I'll try to get to the other comments when I get a sec. Thanks for all the feedback guys!

I also think that her age can't be a coincidence. I think the fact that she killed someone close to Trav is pointing out how tragic death is when you're on the receiving end.

That was the first place my mind went, but I wasn't sure enough to come out and say it. I still think it's a valid theory.

I liked looking at all the ideas here and in the comment section as well, but I can see why you had a problem. So many interpretations.

On a side note: holy crap this got popular fast. Congrats. I remember back when like...three people were commenting on yer stuff.

 

[natster43]

Well I just watched through all of these videos. Pretty cool. I'll have to watch your other stuff later.

 

[Overusedname]

I liked looking at all the ideas here and in the comment section as well, but I can see why you had a problem. So many interpretations.

On a side note: holy crap this got popular fast. Congrats. I remember back when like...three people were commenting on yer stuff.

Yeah....I'm still not sure what it is, lol. I like a lot of the ideas.

One of my fav theories is that it's a microcosm of the main plot, but I can't really explain why since it would spoil the end.

Well I just watched through all of these videos. Pretty cool. I'll have to watch your other stuff later.

Thanks yo Glad you liked.

 

[Lunar Templar]

o.0

you sneaked it on here ....

-.-

I'm onto you and your sneaky ways ....


anyway, good video (like all of them so far), and good call on Badgirl, i kinda forgot about her in lue of the fights with Jean and Henry also, Jeans back-story is pretty messed up if go back a really listen (or read in my case).

 

[Overusedname]

o.0

you sneaked it on here ....

-.-

I'm onto you and your sneaky ways ....


anyway, good video (like all of them so far), and good call on Badgirl, i kinda forgot about her in lue of the fights with Jean and Henry also, Jeans back-story is pretty messed up if go back a really listen (or read in my case).

I did post this one much sooner than usual...And yeah, I LOVE Badgirl. Best boss fight ever.

 

[Lunar Templar]

o.0

you sneaked it on here ....

-.-

I'm onto you and your sneaky ways ....


anyway, good video (like all of them so far), and good call on Badgirl, i kinda forgot about her in lue of the fights with Jean and Henry also, Jeans back-story is pretty messed up if go back a really listen (or read in my case).

I did post this one much sooner than usual...And yeah, I LOVE Badgirl. Best boss fight ever.

yes you did. she is a good boss fight, one of the few i had to redo cause she kicked my ass.

also, not sure i agree totally with the bit about 'not good if fiction is the only place your getting your fulfillment' comment, though i admittedly don't really have much of a counter for it other then 'life tends to suck, so i hunt 2 story tall, 4 arm and winged monsters for fun cause reality seems set on not giving me anything to look forward to' course, i also realize, this probably makes me as bad as Travis

 

[Overusedname]

o.0

you sneaked it on here ....

-.-

I'm onto you and your sneaky ways ....


anyway, good video (like all of them so far), and good call on Badgirl, i kinda forgot about her in lue of the fights with Jean and Henry also, Jeans back-story is pretty messed up if go back a really listen (or read in my case).

I did post this one much sooner than usual...And yeah, I LOVE Badgirl. Best boss fight ever.

yes you did. she is a good boss fight, one of the few i had to redo cause she kicked my ass.

also, not sure i agree totally with the bit about 'not good if fiction is the only place your getting your fulfillment' comment, though i admittedly don't really have much of a counter for it other then 'life tends to suck, so i hunt 2 story tall, 4 arm and winged monsters for fun cause reality seems set on not giving me anything to look forward to' course, i also realize, this probably makes me as bad as Travis

You're self aware. That's more progress than Travis will ever get.

And life doesn't exactly deal everyone a fair deck. Give it time and be stubborn. Something will work.

 

[Lunar Templar]

o.0

you sneaked it on here ....

-.-

I'm onto you and your sneaky ways ....


anyway, good video (like all of them so far), and good call on Badgirl, i kinda forgot about her in lue of the fights with Jean and Henry also, Jeans back-story is pretty messed up if go back a really listen (or read in my case).

I did post this one much sooner than usual...And yeah, I LOVE Badgirl. Best boss fight ever.

yes you did. she is a good boss fight, one of the few i had to redo cause she kicked my ass.

also, not sure i agree totally with the bit about 'not good if fiction is the only place your getting your fulfillment' comment, though i admittedly don't really have much of a counter for it other then 'life tends to suck, so i hunt 2 story tall, 4 arm and winged monsters for fun cause reality seems set on not giving me anything to look forward to' course, i also realize, this probably makes me as bad as Travis

You're self aware. That's more progress than Travis will ever get.

And life doesn't exactly deal everyone a fair deck. Give it time and be stubborn. Something will work.

so that puts me on par with ... Bad Girl? XD

and i haven't, totally, given up on something coming along, would prefer 'some one' but that's not a discussion in wanna get into on a forum.

 

[Overusedname]

so that puts me on par with ... Bad Girl? XD

and i haven't, totally, given up on something coming along, would prefer 'some one' but that's not a discussion in wanna get into on a forum.

Is her name Sylvia?

 

[Lunar Templar]

so that puts me on par with ... Bad Girl? XD

and i haven't, totally, given up on something coming along, would prefer 'some one' but that's not a discussion in wanna get into on a forum.

Is her name Sylvia?

actually her name was Sarah

 

[Overusedname]

so that puts me on par with ... Bad Girl? XD

and i haven't, totally, given up on something coming along, would prefer 'some one' but that's not a discussion in wanna get into on a forum.

Is her name Sylvia?

actually her name was Sarah

That sounds much safer.