Strider Returns: Journey from Darkness

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a game by Capcom, U.S. Gold, and Tiertex
Genre: Action
Platforms: Sega GenesisGenesis, GameGear
Editor Rating: 7/10, based on 5 reviews
User Rating: 9.0/10 - 2 votes
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See also: 2D Platformer Games, Side Scrolling Games
Strider Returns: Journey from Darkness
Strider Returns: Journey from Darkness
Strider Returns: Journey from Darkness
Strider Returns: Journey from Darkness

Strider fans, hang on to your swords! That saber-slingin' savior of the Earth is back in action, and he's badder than ever! We all know what that means...nonstop action and insanely furious fun! We hope Strider lives up to his reputation in this Genesis sequel by U.S. Gold.

Slash Master

The Evil Grand Master has finally recovered from his last momentous battle with Strider, and he's not a happy camper. He's so mad that he's kidnapped Strider's great love, Lexia, and is keeping her hostage. Talk about holding a grudge!

You'll still be able to do your gymnastic gyrations, like the super sliding attack and the awesome aerial somersault, through five levels of action. Your trusty Strider laser sword is also back, along with a new Sweep sword and shurikens. There'll be power- ups to increase the sword's deadly range. However, Strider will not be accompanied by his famous pet robots.

The backgrounds look cool and clean. You'll battle hordes of robots, maniacal mechanical beasts, missiles, and more.

This eight-meg title will be a sight for sore thumbs. Genesis players who consider the original Strider the seminal work for Genesis side-scrolling action games should check out this forthcoming sequel. It looks like the Strider just strolled in again.

Download Strider Returns: Journey from Darkness

Genesis

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.

GameGear

System requirements:

  • PC compatible
  • Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP

Game Reviews

The years haven't been good to Strider. What was once innovative now seems redundant.

The original Strider was a 16-bit legend, but he's slowed down slightly in U.S. Gold's Game Gear sequel. Still, this is decent handheld action, and cause for Strider fans to rejoice.

Graphics and game play parallel the new Genesis version. Strider marches and Cartwheels through five alien environments, slashing his Sword and Shurikens at robotic enemies. The controls aren't always nimble, but overall Strider cuts an effective swath towards the evil Master.

Happily, the sprites are large, the backgrounds are detailed, and the enemies, though not dazzling, are satisfactory. Sonically, it's another story. The soundtrack drones on, and you'll wish enemies made some kind of distinguishing noises.

Strider fans will welcome his return, but others will shrug. The Return isn't bad, it's just not up to the legend.

People say:

7

Strider 2 is surprisingly better on the Game Gear than on the Genesis. This game plays very well, has enormous levels to explore, and of course...terrible enemies. Sometimes it was difficult to know where to go. Some levels seemed pointless, like the ability to shoot shurikens at the enemies. The sounds need a little work, but not much. Strider 2 would make a good addition to any action player's collection.

7

Surprisingly, I find this version a bit better than its 16-Bit counterpart. The animation, by Game Gear standards, is fantastic with very little choppiness. The graphics are highly detailed as well. Strider 2 is very playable and offers some great looking and very involving levels. Some of the areas are pretty complex but never over-frustrating. The screen is very blurry at times because the game moves so fast, but I've seen worse.

7

Quality has taken a severe drop in this one compared to the Genesis version. I've seen better graphics and heard better sound from other Game Gear titles. The only thing that has remained constant is the game play, which wasn't much to start with. It is very annoying when you're hit and get knocked back half a screen. I became very frustrated and I found myself wanting to throw the system to the floor.

7

The graphics in this sequel took a big nose dive from the 16-Bit version. You'd expect some loss of quality, but this game isn't too appealing. The level scenes look very redundant and get boring fast. Also, the game play suffers from the lagging jumps and flying fall backs when you get hit. It takes a while to get the hang of this and it may not be worth it. The game would have benefited from more power-ups and detail.

People say:

8

As a major fan of the first game, I was eagerly awaiting this one. Strider Returns seems to be a longer game, and the music is above average. A lot of voice is also used. The main problem facing this cart, is the fact that the animation is choppy. It seems that a lot of the frames are just ported over from the original, and pieced together sloppily. If that could be fixed, it would be a worthy sequel to the original Strider.

6

This sequel just doesn't seem to do justice to the original Strider. The graphics are pretty bland and the animation is just way too choppy for a game like this. The music is nothing to write home about, either. Just what is good here? The levels are quite long, but I wish there were more enemies on the screen at one time (too much dead space). The game isn't completely horrible, I just had higher hopes for the sequel.

6

Coming off the very successful Strider game a few years ago, I expected the sequel to blow away the first game. Unfortunately, this cart contains few of the elements that made the first one so good. The control has tapered severely, and the graphic quality has also decreased. The only thing that is good in this game is the huge amount of digitized voices - and that's not saying much. I'd pass on it.

7

The first Strider, and the arcade classic that it stemmed from, were loaded with wall-climbing and swording techniques. As a sequel I expected this game to exceed the original...sorry, it doesn't. Sure the sounds are cool, but the graphics took a bit of a drop and the game play doesn't seem as sharp as it should be. The leaps are a bit hard to control and it doesn't quite have the pizzazz of the original.

  • Manufacturer: U.S. Gold
  • Machine: Game Gear

Strider Returns at last. The ultimate portable adventure lies in the hands of Hiryu, a young Strider of great skills. The Grand Master has returned, and this time he has a whole new group of deadly cyborgs. Despite his awesome athletic abilities, and lethal Cipher sword, Hiryu has a major battle ahead of him.

Hiryu must climb, crawl, and jump through the strangest of places. Things are not what they seem. Forests hold fortresses, and a single castle can contain a massive army of psychotic cyborgs.

Strider Returns is an excellent adventure for the Game Gear, and a wise player would pick it up, especially if you liked the first one. Totally hot!

Snapshots and Media

Sega Genesis/Mega Drive Screenshots

GameGear Screenshots