Strider 2
a game by | Capcom, U.S. Gold, and Tiertex |
Genres: | Action, Platformer |
Platforms: | Genesis, Sega Master System, Playstation |
Editor Rating: | 7.3/10, based on 2 reviews |
User Rating: | 8.4/10 - 5 votes |
Rate this game: | |
See also: | Ninja Games |
People say:
What we have here is a combination of quality 2D and 3D graphics with old-school platformer/action gameplay. Controls are basic--dash, attack, jump, slide, etc.--but more than adequate for this type of game, and quite responsive. The levels are visually interesting, incorporating all kinds of crazy locations, and there are tons of excellent bosses, including many updated from the first game. So you're probably thinking "What's up with the 5.0 if everything's so peachy?" Well here's the problem--unlimited continues. And you don't restart a level when you die, you reappear right where you left off. This completely and totally destroys not only the challenge, but the whole point to a game like this. Part of the beauty of the original Strider on the Genesis (and what could have been great about the sequel), is how you were forced by a limited number of continues to really learn the game, and slowly improve by challenging stages over and over. The levels and bosses in Strider 2 are likewise designed so you can master them if you practice, but when you can throw life after life at them with no penalty, what's the point? You can just continue on and finish the game in a half hour. The inclusion of Strider 1 is a nice perk, but the unlimited continues destroy this game for a wider audience; only hardcore gamers and fans of the original should consider buying, everyone else can rent Strider 2 and finish it in a day.
Back in the day, I rented the original Genesis Strider, and i have fond memories of playing it to the end. The inclusion of the original Strider on a separate disc is a great touch. Both games are really good--that's not the problem. The problem is that unlimited continues turn Strider 2 into a cakewalk, removing the challenge, turning it into a slashfest. There's no incentive to do better on each of the levels. Aside from occasional slowdown, Strider 2 is visually impressive. I'm a fan of the 2.5D style of gameplay. The last few levels, especially, look great and play great. Because it's so easily beaten, I'd be cautious about buying it, but it's a definite rental.
Strider Hiryu is back in style, and it's about time too. This game feels like old-school Capcom, back before everything they released was either a fighting game or the latest spinoff of Resident Evil. Strider 2 is one of those "2.5D" games that blends gorgeous, hand-drawn sprites with fully polygonal backgrounds. The result is a classic Strider look complete with a lot of dramatic camera panning and angles that just wouldn't be possible in a 2D game. The gameplay is classic 2D fare as well. It's too bad Capcom felt the need to allow players to continue endlessly. Chances are you'll finish this game in one sitting and never play it again.
Download Strider 2
System requirements:
- PC compatible
- Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP
- Game modes: Single game mode
Player controls:
- Up, Down, Left, Right - Arrow keys
- Start - Enter (Pause, Menu select, Skip intro, Inventory)
- "A" Gamepad button - Ctrl (usually Jump or Change weapon)
- "B" button - Space (Jump, Fire, Menu select)
- "C" button - Left Shift (Item select)
Use the F12 key to toggle mouse capture / release when using the mouse as a controller.
System requirements:
- PC compatible
- Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP
System requirements:
- PC compatible
- Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP
Game Reviews
Strider 2 is a video game released in 1999 by Capcom, and is a follow-up to Strider I, the first game in the series, produced by the same company. The game was released in Japan and was considered more popular than the original version.
The action happens 2000 years after the events in the first game, when The Grandmaster returns to life after his death in the previous version. He took over the world again, but a new incarnation of Strider Hiryu, the main character of the game, appears to stop his plans. Strider Hiryu was the one fighting and bringing The Grandmaster to death in the first game, so they encounter again in Strider II.
The graphics of the game consist of 2D character sprites overlaid over 3D backgrounds. The gameplay is actually pretty much the same as in the 2D side-scrolling Strider I. The character can be controlled by an eight-way joystick and there are three action buttons. In this second version Strider can perform new actions, besides the ones in the first game. He can walk, jump, crouch, slide and climb walls and ceilings as in the original game, but he can also dash by pushing the joystick twice to left, double-jump by pressing jump in mid-air, and do a backward somersault jump while sliding.
Strider can perform a thrust jump when climbing a wall, by holding the joystick away from the wall and pressing the Jump button. Besides the normal sword attack from the original version, Strider can now "Savage Slash", possible by pressing the joystick down and up in mid-air.
In this version of the game there is also a "Boost" option, which can be used if the character has at least one boost item in stock. While the player is in this mode, he can shoot Plasma Waves with his sword until the Boos gauge. As the Boost item is, Strider can pick up power-up items in the game, such as health items, a cipher extension or other additional boosts.
The game was released for PlayStation in 2000 and has a bit of a different storyline, but finishing both games and saving them on the same card will unlock a secret level called "Mission 00". This is a waterfall stage.
The game was considered very popular back when released, unlike the original version, which was not really a hit. However, the game was considered as not challenging enough and as very short, but was rated with high scores on GameSpot and IGN. GameSpot users and critics rated the game with 8.1 and 7.5 out of 10, while IGN users and critics rated the game with 8.1 and 7.