Not a Hero (2015)

 PC
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 57 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 38 out of 57
  2. Mixed: 19 out of 57
  3. Negative: 0 out of 57
  1. GameOver.gr
    Jul 31, 2015
    70
    It’s not a bad game nor a very good one. It can offer 2-3 hours of non-stop action (that is if you skip the lengthy cutscenes) but it will probably be forgotten the moment you finish it. BunnyLord should seriously consider a more rigid campaign if he tries his changes on another election.
  2. Grab It Magazine
    Jul 12, 2015
    70
    In this 2¼D world, Not a Hero is largely successful in imitating the frenetic action of Devolver’s other gore-fest Hotline Miami. It also plays very similarly to the aforementioned Broforce, letting you have your twisted, violent fun in the first few levels as you blast your way through the enemies with as little restraint as you desire.
  3. Games.cz
    Jun 24, 2015
    70
    There are way too many 2D pixel art action games. One can both great and bad pieces among them as in any other genre. Not a Hero with its quick action and surprisingly robust tactical elements fortunately belongs into the first group.
  5. Gamers' Temple
    Jun 13, 2015
    70
    Like Bunnylord himself, fun at first and then a bit of a grind.
  6. COGconnected
    May 26, 2015
    70
    There is hope some of the issues will be ironed out in the future, but don’t let that hold you back from checking it out now and enjoying the great soundtrack that comes with it.
  7. CGMagazine
    May 22, 2015
    70
    Not a Hero does a lot right - the cover-based shooting in 2D environment works incredibly well and the comical setting and writing do a lot to set the mood. However, it’s more in what it doesn’t do that holds it back from being as memorable as some of its contemporaries.
  8. Dealspwn
    May 19, 2015
    70
    Combining with frantic combat and an utterly barmy sense of humour, the side-scrolling action of NOT A HERO can be just as unforgiving as it can be enjoyable. Providing you have the patience to overcome its challenging later levels, BunnyLord’s flawed yet commendable political campaign is certainly worth your vote.
  9. 3DJuegos
    May 19, 2015
    70
    Not a Hero is an addictive action game. You will enjoy shooting criminals and samurais, but you will feel that all action is very repetitive too.
  10. USgamer
    May 15, 2015
    70
    Like Roll7's first game, Not a Hero is light on overall mechanics: It's a cover-based side-scrolling shooter stripped down to its bare minimum. That helps the game rip along, as you and the BunnyLord slide and murder your way into power. The humor may fall flat for some and there's a bit of repetition, but Not a Hero is a ton of fun.
  11. Metro GameCentral
    May 15, 2015
    70
    A fun, funny, and wonderfully gory 2D shooter, but it’s not quite as tightly designed as OlliOlli and certainly lacks the same longevity.
  12. Game Revolution
    May 14, 2015
    70
    It's a game that dares to be bold, even when it leans on the side of weird a bit too often.
  13. Destructoid
    May 14, 2015
    70
    Translating cover shooters into 2D makes for a good mix of contemporary and classic sensibilities. It's nice to play a shooter where avoiding enemy bullets is a bit more necessary and I like the tools Not a Hero provides with its slick cover system, mechanically varied cast, and constant chain of slide kicks and executions.
  14. GameSpot
    May 14, 2015
    70
    Not a Hero's humor may not always hit the mark, but the action makes up for it.
  15. Games Master UK
    Aug 5, 2015
    67
    Hotline Miami meets Gunpoint, gets lost in its own jokes, and ends up with middling approval ratings. [Aug 2015, p.69]
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  16. CD-Action
    Jul 4, 2015
    65
    One of those indie games that in theory do everything right but lack a spark that make them memorable. [07/2015, p.65]
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  17. Polygon
    May 15, 2015
    65
    There's a flash of brilliance in how Not a Hero tackles the cover-based shooter genre, excising the meticulous stop-and-pop loop and replacing it with unceasing carnage. But it can be hard to see that flash after your 30th failed attempt of a mission, when you're still trying to figure out where the game even wants you to go.
  18. games(TM)
    Jun 27, 2015
    60
    The underlying controls are fun and fluid, but the lack of variety leaves the game - and therefore its player - wanting. [Issue#162, p.106]
  19. VideoGamer
    May 14, 2015
    60
    I don't know what a chocolate and monkey milkshake would taste like, but it somehow sums up Not a Hero perfectly.
  20. The Escapist
    May 14, 2015
    50
    Not A Hero isn't a game for everyone. It's flawed, repetitive, but works so well when it works.
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In Progress & Unscored

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  1. The A.V. Club
    Dec 8, 2015
    A dark parody where every problem can be solved with bullets, and even Aunt Ruby is eager to get in on the action. Get to it, you sexy murder machines. Re-election time is just around the corner, and we’ve still got to deal with that scrotobiker gang BunnyLord keeps talking about.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 54 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 54
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 54
  3. Negative: 7 out of 54
  1. Shoedom
    May 20, 2015
    9
    Not A Hero is a very fast paced, colourful, violent and humorous take on the 2D side-scrolling shooter, using an interesting cover basedNot A Hero is a very fast paced, colourful, violent and humorous take on the 2D side-scrolling shooter, using an interesting cover based system and limited controls which ramp up it's difficulty. The game rewards you with new characters as you progress, who, despite being limited to the same three buttons, actually all handle completely differently and require a varied style of play.

    I thoroughly enjoyed this game, unlike a selection of the critics who have slated it on the basis of its "sense of humour", which is a blindingly unfair criticism of a game whose dialogue is procedurally generated. If you pay closer attention to what is actually going on, it's quite clear to see that this game itself is a comment on the state of the gaming industry and the state of us as players, and our nurtured expectations. Offering a very meta criticism of narrative and how violence is justified in modern games. Take a second to look past all the "willybag"s and "pissflaps", and actually pay attention to the overall message.

    I would recommend this to anyone looking for a fun and challenging game who has the ability to understand an entire sentence rather than getting hung up on individual words.    … Full Review »
  2. thequailboy
    May 15, 2015
    9
    Worms, meets Max Payne, meets GTA London. This game has surprised me over and over again. Behind the violence and madness it's a deeplyWorms, meets Max Payne, meets GTA London. This game has surprised me over and over again. Behind the violence and madness it's a deeply challenging and skill curved experience. The learning curve is immense but once you start getting good it is joyous! If you like absurd violence, guns, bombs you cannot go wrong. There is at least 24 hours of game play to be had here and it's the perfect partner for a long flight or train ride. The Bunny Lord character isn't as funny as it thinks it is but thankfully it's skippable. A brilliant game for FPS and platformer fans alike.… Full Review »
  3. mumbles
    May 14, 2015
    9
    If the creators of Broforce were British, hit on the head repeatedly with wiffle ball bats in their early stages of infancy, raised on R-ratedIf the creators of Broforce were British, hit on the head repeatedly with wiffle ball bats in their early stages of infancy, raised on R-rated films and later decided to create a game based on Elevator Action this game would be the result. Like OlliOlli, it's very challenging but fun once you put in the effort. The pixel-style works really well, the soundtrack is fantastic and voice acting is hilarious (as is the randomized text generator that's put to use for some of BunnyLord's dialogue).

    It's a very funny game and I'm looking forward to the port over to PS4 and Vita along with Broforce. If nothing, you'll laugh if you have a twisted sense of humour. Point your face at this wombatfilth, you nerdface and vote Bunnylord.    … Full Review »
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