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- Image of No Straight Roads 2, Courtesy of SHUEISHA GAMES

No Straight Roads 2 Brings Band Back for a Brutal Encore for 2026

Originally posted on Total Apex Gaming | By David Gilbert | Last updated Sep 15, 2025 12:07 PM ET

For a game like Hi-Fi Rush to succeed, No Straight Roads had to be a success. Ever since Tango Gameworks’ character-action masterpiece arrived in early 2023, that thought has lingered in the minds of many fans. Hi-Fi Rush became one of the most unique gaming experiences in recent memory by brilliantly merging vibrant visuals, an incredible soundtrack, and rhythmic combat. However, what made No Straight Roads set the stage three years earlier?

No Straight Roads Rocks So Hard, It Kills

In the game, players take on the role of the passionate rock duo Mayday and Zuke. These heroes battle against NSR, an evil record label controlling all music in Vinyl City. Moreover, their band, Bunkbed Junction, will aid players in their fight to liberate the city’s music by any means necessary. While No Straight Roads had its flaws, it still overflowed with so much charm and ambition. Specifically, music and action fans found the game utterly captivating, and now, a sequel is on the way.

Recently at Gamescom, developer Metronomik provided fans a sneak peek of No Straight Roads 2. They discussed the first game’s success and their goals for the new installment, aiming to expand on everything that made the original special. Unfortunately, the sequel won’t be a full open world, but it’ll give Mayday, Zuke, and their new bandmate Casey a tour van.

This vehicle can be customized by players, who’ll use it to navigate an overworld map filled with new locations to discover. Their mission involves traveling the globe to challenge various musical megastars in battle, all while solidifying their identity as a formidable band. Although a fourth band member will join the roster closer to launch, their identity continues to stay a secret. Still, the three major characters in No Straight Roads 2 will include:

Mayday, who fights with her guitar
Zuke, who attacks with his drums
Casey, who wields a keyboard that fires long-range projectiles

Malaysian Roots Anchor This Rhythmic Rebellion

Image of No Straight Roads 2, Courtesy of SHUEISHA GAMES

Director Wan Hazmer showed various gameplay snippets, from exploration to high-octane combat. In one particular sequence, players will fight against an eccentric dancer named Rama in an epic boss fight on a soundstage covered in green screens. As the transitions into an environment packed with special effects, players must attack cameras disguised as animals and plants to force the boss out of hiding. This unfinished version already made it clear that Metronomik intends to go bigger and better with this sequel.

Embracing Malaysian culture remains a key part of Tango Gamework’s vision. For the first No Straight Roads game, they encouraged voice actors to use their native accents instead of adopting an American twang, though the team initially struggled with this approach. Like many other gaming studios, they associated their own accents with low-budget local television. However, they would eventually get on the right path, if the positive reception at events like Tokyo Games Show is any confirmation. After the game’s release, the team expressed immense pride as streamers shouted Malay words, ultimately teaching them to proudly embrace their cultural roots.

Forget Saving the World, Save the Gig

The heart of No Straight Roads 2, however, lies with its main characters, Mayday and Zuke, who are outsiders in a world that tells them they don’t belong. Metronomik doesn’t just craft stories about people facing unfair prejudice and fighting back. They create villains who, despite eccentric appearances, feel believable because they don’t see themselves as villains.

With each boss having their own motivations and story for why they play music, this realism allows players to empathize with them. Although the core message of No Straight Roads 2 celebrates personal expression and musical taste, it also argues against the denial of someone’s identity or interests. Specifically, it puts focus on embracing people’s differences, asking why judging one another for liking rock or EDM is acceptable, while celebrating our own individual walks of life is frowned upon.

This article first appeared on Total Apex Gaming and was syndicated with permission.

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