Name: Strider 2 (70.00% in 3 votes)
Type: ACT
Platform: PSX
Company: Capcom
Release date: 2000
Reviewed by: KurenaiJiku
Raise your hand if you're a Strider fan. Hm...As I thought, not many. Out of the very, very few who still remember the very first Strider game in the arcade to this very day are the only Strider fans left. Because of this fact, Capcom has almost ripped off the remaining loyal followers who have been waiting for a second Strider game for many, many years. Now, Strider 2 has finally arrived from the dingy backdoor of Capcom. Although you can smell the fresh plastic of the Strider 2 packaging; everything inside isn't as fresh as you might expect it to be. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but after say 10 years or so, that Capcom should have done something a bit more to the Strider franchise.
The story is about a high tech ninja called Strider Hiryu who comes from a long line of special agents trained to carry out international-based missions with speed, and most importantly; silence. The game is basically a classic side scroller where you control Strider Hiryu in a number of missions to save the world from a government conspiracy. The game overall is just about the same as the first game; however, the overall game speed is much faster. In comparison to the first game, there isn't much difference in terms of control. Strider can jump, slash, pick up power ups, slide, climb walls; but I believe the new move he has is that he can dash. Dashing is very, very important as missions are timed; your finish times will determine your Strider rank. The lower the time, the higher the rank; though you can still finish the game with the lowest rank possible. This little additive for Strider fans will have them going through the game several times to get the highest rank possible; nice replay value, but it proves pretty indifferent to any old player passing by. As most platformers have, our hero can pick up various power ups to allow him to fight better. He can pick up a "Cypher" upgrade so his Cypher is more powerful, but will lose any upgrades if he is hit. There are also "boost" power ups which are like bombs which will allow Strider to release homing blades to clear areas of the level faster and easier.
Aside from all these features, the game pretty much plays the same way as the first game. Not necessarily a bad thing because changing Strider anymore than it was in the first game, may have proven to be a negative effect. Though in terms of graphics, they could have improved on certain aspects. The background although 3D, the sprites remain to be 2D with 3D effects added. However, as most people have experienced, 2D sprites on 3D backgrounds can distort the sprites meaning they'll look like jello. This a present problem in Strider, but if you're just in it for the gameplay then you won't have any problems ignoring it. As for individual animation itself, they must have gotten some third rate development team as they should have realized to add some sort of combo for Strider to use during combat. He slashes only in one direction; the same direction as he did in the first game. By adding a variety of slashes for Strider and different attacks, this would have given a new dimension to Strider 2. The game seems very much like a Super Nintendo game that never really got got off the ground till the 32 bit systems arrived. In fact, that is what happened to Strider 2.
As for sound, it's a platform game. Sound isn't too important, but I can tell you that music is very important to the game pace. Strider has a good set of tunes and mirrors the original game and Strider themes. If this soundtrack was in better midi, I would most definitely fork out a good amount of money for it. Overall, the actual themes give a high tech stealthy feel which is what Strider is all about. Though as said before, they should have arranged the music better as I found out that the music format is in a sampled format. Meaning they could have made the music any varying degree of quality; it could have sounded like real music in CD quality.
There isn't much to say about Strider 2 all in all. It's a platform game that shouldn't be paid much for. However, if you're a Strider fan, I highly suggest picking up this game under the cost of 50 USD. It won't really disappoint you, but it's just there for novelty's sake. Hopefully the next attempt at a next generation incarnation of Strider will be next generation quality.
Graphics (technical) - 2.5/5
Graphics (creative) - 3.5/5
Sound (technical) - 3.5/5
Sound (creative) - 3/5
Technical Gameplay - 5/5
Fun Factor - 4/5
Diversity of Features - 2/5
Story - 3.5/5
Overall Value - 3.5/5
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