Wedy’s Game Guide #3 – Hilarious Ways to Get the Crowd to Love (or Hate You)

[p]Konnichiwa minna-san (everyone)!👋[/p][p][/p][p]In Nippon Marathon 2: Daijoubu, you’re not just racing… You’re also competing in a Japanese gameshow, and the audience is watching your every move.[/p][p][/p][p]Sure, winning the race is great. [/p][p]But if you really want to stand on top of the podium, you'll need to win over the crowd too.[/p][p]That’s because the audience doesn’t just cheer - they score you too![/p][p][/p][p]Win them over, and you'll increase your Popularity — one of the game’s key scoring mechanics, and often the difference between victory and defeat.[/p][p][/p][h2]🧑‍🤝‍🧑Popularity Explained[/h2][p][/p][p]Every stage in Nippon Marathon 2 is lined with spectators. They may not look judgmental, but trust us - they are.[/p][p]They know what they like.[/p][p]They definitely know what they don’t.[/p][p]And they’re not afraid to show it.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]We didn’t just add the popularity system for laughs; it’s a strategic layer that can boost your final score, even if you don’t finish first, your popularity could even push your score over the top.[/p][p][/p][p]Here’s how to win them over:[/p][p][/p][h2]👋 Wave To Your Fans \[NEW FEATURE][/h2][p][/p][p]The crowd loves watching the chaos unfold - but they really love it when you acknowledge them.[/p]

[p]Wave to the crowd as you run by for an instant popularity boost.[/p]
[p]Want more? Stop and wave right next to them like a true icon.[/p]

[p]⚠️Caution: While waving, you can’t use items, so you're vulnerable to attacks[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][h2]🌎 Interact with the World Around You[/h2][p][/p][p]The crowd is here to be entertained, and they’re especially partial to slapstick comedy. So remember to give them a show.[/p]

[p]Set off fire hydrants to hose down the competition.[/p]
[p]Use banana peels and heat-seeking melons to trip or blast your opponents into oblivion.[/p]
[p]Drop smelly mushrooms near crowds for others to pick up - they’ll lose popularity from the mushroom cloud they leave.[/p]

[p]⚠️ Caution: Chaos is fun, but watch that your actions don’t backfire. If a spectator gets caught up in the action, they’ll blame the nearest contestant and deduct popularity. Make sure that’s not you.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][h2]🐕 Be Chased by Shiba Inu[/h2][p][/p][p]The crowd loves watching contestants be chased by Shiba Inu.[/p]

[p]The more Shiba Inu you get chasing you, the bigger the popularity boost you’ll receive.[/p]

[p]⚠️ Caution: Don’t slow down, if they catch you, they’ll bite, knock you over, and maybe even get you eliminated.[/p][p][/p][p]
[/p][h2]😬 DO NOT Knock Over the Crowd[/h2][p][/p][p]Sometimes you can find a shortcut through the crowd… but tread carefully.[/p]

[p]Knocking them over makes them sad, and sad crowds tank your popularity.[/p]
[p]Sure, they fall over like bowling pins, and yes, it is hilarious.[/p]
[p]But the audience won’t find it amusing.[/p]

[p]⚠️ Caution: Tempted to do it anyway? We get it. Just be ready to take the popularity loss.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][h2]🔄 Bonus Tactics: Blame Swapping[/h2][p][/p][p]The crowd always blames the nearest contestant when things go wrong. Use that to your advantage.[/p]

[p]Launch a well-timed, heat-seeking melon into the crowd when your rival is close by.[/p]
[p]The explosion hits the crowd, they’ll assume your rival did it.[/p]
[p]You stay squeaky clean. They take the heat.[/p]
[p]A classic switcheroo.[/p]

[p]⚠️ Caution: Just remember, your rivals can do it to you too.[/p][p][/p][h2]❤️‍🔥 Even If You Lose the Race…[/h2][p][/p][p]Master these moves and the crowd might crown you their favourite, and that just might tip the final score in your favour.[/p][p][/p][p]This is just an overview of the popularity system; we’re continually improving it during development to include as many wild, weird, and wonderful scenarios as we can think of.[/p][p]For now, just focus on learning what the crowd loves (and hates).[/p][p][/p][p]Because in Nippon Marathon 2: Daijoubu, the popular vote might be your secret weapon.[/p][p][/p][h2]🎤 Wait… Where Are the Mid-Race Interviews?[/h2][p][/p][p]Remember the mid-race interviews with everyone's favourite green haired journalist (me... Wedy Jones) from the original game? [/p][p]They’re not in the game yet, but we are hoping to bring them back during the Early Access period.[/p][p][/p][h2]🛒 Help Nippon Marathon 2 Win Over Steam Crowd[/h2][p][/p][p]Help make Nippon Marathon 2: Daijoubu the crowd favourite - both in the game and on Steam.[/p]

[p]👏 Wave to the crowd in-game = popularity boost.[/p]
[p]💖 Wishlist the game on Steam = bonus points with the devs.[/p]

[p]You know what to do 👉[/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][h2]🔜 Coming Up Next: Meet the Contestants[/h2][p][/p][p]In a marathon where getting chased by Shiba Inu earns cheers, and mushrooms are your worst enemy: what kind of bizarre athlete signs up for this madness?[/p][p][/p][p]Next time, we’re pulling back the curtain on the wonderfully weird line-up of Nippon Marathon 2: Daijoubu, and teasing some of the new (and downright ridiculous) contestants joining the race during Early Access.[/p][p][/p][p]Get ready to meet the stars… Will your favourite return for round 2?[/p][p][/p][p]Stay Daijoubu,
Wedy Jones[/p]