The Southeast Asian Games Showcase has featured several games from what are often referred to as emerging nations in Western media. Among these is NSR 2, more commonly known as “No Straight Roads 2.” Following an initial release that was bold but not without flaws, No Straight Roads is set to return under the direction of Malaysian studio Metronomik, which was founded by former members of the Final Fantasy XV team. This sequel will be published by Japanese publisher Shueisha Games and is scheduled for a 2026 launch on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series consoles. Behind this development effort is Idir Alexander Ould-Braham, the French executive producer based in Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo, and Paris, who serves as Metronomik’s head of business. He is working alongside Wan Hazmer to drive the development of No Straight Roads 2 with a goal to showcase Southeast Asian creativity on an international stage.
This marks the beginning of a tour in a van, moving away from Vinyl City in this sequence, or at least indicating that we won’t remain there for long, as “No Straight Roads 2” will offer players a road trip experience on a tour bus with our two main characters, Mayday and Zuke, who are the headliners of Bunkbed Junction. They won’t be traveling alone: the game introduces two new playable members, each bringing their unique musical style, alongside previously unseen gameplay features. While retaining the core essence of blending action and rhythm game elements, developers have announced a complete overhaul of the combat system. Players can expect more action, deeper duo attacks, and the same over-the-top theatricality that was characteristic of the first installment’s “cartoon-crazy” charm.
When one mentions NSR, music comes to mind. And in this regard, the lineup is a promise in itself. James Landino, Falk Au Yeong, Garrett Williamson, and Midas Klare (Inverted Silence) return to set the turntables ablaze. Accompanied by new musical guests yet to be revealed, each artist is announced as a “musical megaboss,” with their own style, mechanics, and finely calibrated sound atmosphere. This time, we move beyond simple EDM versus rock, as we will have experimental jazz, digital pop, protest rock, and even Malaysian traditional music in the mix. “We wanted to capture what players loved about NSR and push it to the max, up to 11,” declares Wan Hazmer, CEO of Metronomik. With Shueisha Games at the helm — parent company of One Piece and Dragon Ball, among others — the project now benefits from substantial editorial support, along with well-established marketing strategies and clear international ambitions.
