PS1 REVIEWS: Strider 2

The massive success of the PS1 took the success of home consoles to a new level, in a way signaling the death knell of the game Arcade, along with the types of experiences made for that format. Strider 2 is exactly the kind of game that was built for the arcades but was so extremely short that very few people could justify paying the full price for it.

At least, no one was planning on playing it only once. Like any Hack n' Slash game worth its salt, Strider 2 invites players to play it several times in the pursuit of perfection, and it has the mechanics to back up that conceit, but not the stage design to pull me back for more.

#A18: Strider 2:-

Year: 1999, 2000.

Genre: Hack n' Slash.

Publisher: Capcom.

Developer: Capcom.

 

"Somewhere within the insidious corruption, a hero rises from the shadows. With the fate of the entire planet in his hands, he strives to complete his mission"

Arcade games don't need an elaborate narrative or story, but they do need a sense of style and purpose, and Strider 2 definitely delivers in that aspect. As Hiryu, you are on a desperate mission to bring down the Grandmaster who has been controlling the world. Some cool 2D artwork punctuates the start and end of each stage, with a dystopian world design selling the jeopardy you must face.

While the 2D artwork is expressive in telling a story, the 3D polygonal environments are less so, reducing the sense of grandeur that was more apparent in the first game. There is little dialogue beyond the opening narrative scroll and the few sentences at the end of each stage, but Hiryu's attitude is apparent in his animations.

Again, it isn't expected that these games will have any story to speak of, but the potential of having good environmental storytelling, like the sort we see in Metal Slug for example, is missing from the game's detriment.

In some way, the music aims to carry that environmental storytelling. However, I don't think the attempt at grand epic music fits the genre or the characters. Certainly, it doesn't work with the less grand polygonal environments even if it did with the brilliant sprites of the original.

Even some stunning 2D backgrounds can't compensate for drab polygons

"Ha! You are a fool! Do you think that you can get close to our lord? The world belongs to him! And so do you, Strider! Ha ha ha!"

If a game wants you to play it several times in pursuit of perfection, then it better have some stellar gameplay, and that's thankfully the case here. Strider moves beautifully, exactly like a ninja warrior should, with smooth and precise movements and a good variety of closed-range attacks.

While you may miss having a ranged option, you can use a "boost" item to add some much-needed range to your attacks. Generally, it's more exciting to be up and close with your enemies, and there is a sense of speed and exhilaration in the combat.

Especially against some great bosses

At least, I would feel that way if I was any good at it, but even simply being mediocre is enough to appreciate how good the combat is. I wonder how it feels for the people able to score the highest marks.

Unfortunately, while the gameplay is brilliant for most of the game's levels as well as some brilliant bosses, it falters a bit when it tries to innovate in two key sections. I simply could not stand the inverted gravity sections, which I felt slowed down the rather fast-paced gameplay to a halt.

Thankfully, those sections count for less than 20% of a game that is otherwise very fun to play.

How are you hanging there?

Once you complete the game, you unlock a different playable character that exclusively uses ranged attacks. While I would have appreciated having some of those options with Hiryu, I think the melee-focused gameplay is more fun overall.


In Conclusion:

If you love the action-packed gameplay and the unique movement options of Strider 2, then you will love this game regardless of any of its shortcomings, or even its short length (which becomes a bonus). This is exactly the kind of experience that the Arcades were built for. Some challenging and cool games that could grab your attention, and just maybe, drive your quest for perfection with stellar gameplay. While it straddles the awkward junction between brilliant sprite work and soulless polygonal work, Strider 2 will still deliver for fans of the genre, if not for anyone else.

Final: 6/10 (Not recommended for anyone but Hack n' Slash fans)

I am not that proud of my score

Pros:

• Some cool 2D artwork
• Great action-packed gameplay
• Very good bosses
• An extra character
• Cool sprite work

Cons:

• Very short
• There isn't much of an environmental story
• Inverted gravity sections suck
• Polygonal environments lack grandeur
• Music isn't exciting for me

Tips:

1. Save your "Boost" item for when you really need it.
2. Use your "Boost" if you are about to lose all life points.
3. Make good use of the slide to avoid dangers.

The comic book style artwork is stunning

Series:

For those reading one of my PS1 review blogs for the first time, here is the basic concept:

I already reviewed both major Generation 4 consoles, and am now reviewing Generation 5 consoles. I already finished reviewing the Sega Saturn, so I am now reviewing the PS1. In these reviews, I take a top 100 games list and review the games that interest me in that list.This time, my review series is based on this list from Retro Sanctuary and other sources, since the PS1 can handle a list bigger than a top 100.

And so are some of the set-pieces

Next Game:

Like with my experience with Strider on the SNES, I was underwhelmed with Strider 2 despite liking the gameplay. I would have liked it a bit more without those annoying inverted gravity sections.

The next game on the list is Vandal Hears, a cult-classic Tactical RPG by Konami on the addendum list. So far, TRPGs have had some strong showing on the list, but this is one of the least known of the genre so far, yet I have high hopes for it.

Stay Tuned

For Previous PS1 Game Reviews:

The List