History of Strider Series
In the year 1989, when the first original game called Strider was released on arcade hardware by Capcom. It is one of the finest 2D hack and slash action on the arcade system which was later released on various console versions. The game was praised for impressive arcade gameplay, well made graphics, atmospheric soundtrack, unique level design and of course the main protagonist Strider Hiryu had becoming the badass ninjas in gaming which makes the franchise received numerous of fans and retrospectives.
It was later released a sequel in 1990 called Strider 2 for various console versions which is a first game that didn't released on the arcade hardware and it was published by U.S Gold (under license from Capcom USA). It is not meant to be confused with Capcom's 1999 sequel which is also called Strider 2 for the Arcade hardware and PS1. The 1990 version is considered to be the most disappointing game in the series which criticised with choppy animation, lacked atmospheric gameplay and slower paced action, while the 1999 version is definitely a real sequel to the first game which has received much better overall with fast paced arcade gameplay, amazing graphics, and it has more action than the previous games. Strider Hiryu was also featured on the other games like Marvel vs Capcom series, Namco x Capcom, Project X Zone 2, and Capcom Fighting All-Stars.
In year 2014, Capcom decided to released a 1989 reboot called Strider which was released for PS3, PS4, X360, XBONE and PC, with the help of the developer teams Double Helix Games. It received most positives review from the critic praised for Metroidvania style gameplay, game visuals, and addictive game campaign that will satisfy the old school classic fans.
Strider PS4 Digital Download Review
Strider is a 2D hack and slash adventure game for PS3, PS4, X360, XBONE and PC, which developed by Double Helix Games and published by Capcom.
I'm actually quite impressed with this game's overall which brings me a lot of satisfaction to see how amazing the Strider is for the modern days consoles.
This game is kinda look different from the classic original 1989's game with larger 2D open-world maps, newer gameplay mechanics with upgrades and weapons, and more exploration in whole levels which gives a Metroidvania style feel to the game and I love the idea of the game's concepts which I believe the developers team did actually a great job on this game. The graphics has nicely designed environment, impressive visuals effects, and fantastic animations runs on smooth 60 FPS (except PS3 and X360 versions). I loved the game's atmosphere which makes the game stays true to the original 1989 game. There are some issues is the campaign length is quite too short that takes 4 or 5 hours to complete which it should have been better with longer hours campaign and I finding the game's presentation doesn't have much storyplot and fewer cutscenes which they should have been done better to put more effort into the story presentation, but I say that I really enjoyed the game because this will definitely pleases the classic retro gaming fans who grew up with playing similar type of game such as Super Metroid and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night.
Presentation
This game takes place in the metropolis of Kazakh City, Strider Hiryu was sent on the mission to assassinate the villain called Grandmaster Meio.
It is the retelling of original game story, but the game has no proper story telling what so ever. You only get to see the few of the cutscenes which shows between the main protagonist and the villain talking before they start the fight and it also shows the part where the main protagonist getting advice from other characters in the game with some extra details of the mission.
I got to say the main protagonist Strider Hiryu is still an awesome character especially he wore the same outfit as the 1999's sequel which makes him more appealing and memorable video game character. The villain Grandmaster Meio is definitely like from the original game, while the others are quite not that bad because it does have some good concepts to make them look decent in the boss battles. The levels are looked redesigned to make it look less linear and having larger exploration stages is quite well done for level design choices and concepts.
Overall, they should have been done better by extending more story details and cutscenes, but they done a fine job with the characters and levels concepts.
Gameplay
The gameplay is on 2D perspective where you take control of Strider in the mission. You have the main weapon called cypher that is used for slashing the enemies in different directions and using the kunai as throwing projectiles weapons is also useful for combat gameplay, but you can also find newer weapons upgrades, newer character abilities and items by exploring the whole levels which you can able to check out on the map screen which tells you where the weapons and items have been located in. The upgrades can improve your kunai range, increases health and energy bar, learns double jump and using plasma catapult as quick dash, gaining new cypher and kunai such as reflect, explosive, ultra-cold and magnetic which helps your combat gameplay mechanics and character's abilities. You can also gained new power-ups which are called options where you can use three of the options attacks such as robot eagle, robo-panther and saucer which gives a extra damage attacks to the enemies is pretty sounds amazing. I say the controlling Strider is played fairly decent with physical techniques like slide kick, double jump, acrobatic jump, and using plasma catapult is very responsive and the combat weapons are actually worked very well with the collisions and hit detection. The level design is much easier to explore with tons of enemies, some hazards objects and the boss levels that made the game up with the higher challenge. Unfortunately the game is quite short because it takes 4 or 5 hours to complete which makes the game quicker to beat in 2 or 3 days and it doesn't have new game plus which lacks one of the replay values, but the game is still fun to play on single player campaign with excellent non-linear levels, combat gameplay, and boss battles.
I also enjoyed the two of the challenge mode such as survival mode where you have to fight waves of the enemies and beacon run where you have to reach to checkpoint across enemy areas as fast as possible which is quite fun too.
Overall, I have no problem with controls, levels, exploration and boss battles are just steps up in the right directions by the game developers.
Graphics
The graphics has really nicely designed environment to see how big the level design is and it does have some great visuals effects with decent lighting and shades. The animations in whole game runs on 60 FPS (except PS3 and X360) to make it more fast paced action and the less slower it moves made the game look spectacular with 1080p HD. I love the glossy looking special effects and detailed backgrounds that made the game more futuristic tone and the character's design is looking quite cool in the game.
Overall, it has nice environment, great visuals, impressive animations, and cool looking character's design.
Music and Sounds
It does have really awesome remixed soundtrack which features multiple homages to classic Strider themes which they did a superb job in the game that increases the overall atmospheres. The sound effects are pretty good in the game with background sound environment and ambient noises which fits really perfect for Strider game. The voice acting is okay, but not just sounds brilliant for character's voices at least they tried.
Overall, it has awesome music and good sound effects.
Special Features
This game has collectable Strider's costumes to select which outfits to wear and concepts art can be unlocked in the game's menu. It does have trophies achievements and online leaderboards are also featured in the game.
Overall, it's doesn't have enough features in the game, but it does have some good collectable concepts art and outfits.
Advantages
Non-linear levels
Impressive combat gameplay
Great choices of upgrades and power-ups
Badass main protagonist
Nice graphics
Awesome music and sounds
Disadvantages
Not enough storytelling
Short-length campaign
Lack of new game plus
Final Verdict
Presentation 6/10 - Needs more story details and cutscenes, but has great characters and levels concepts.
Gameplay 8/10 - Impressive controls, bigger levels, fun exploration and decent boss battles.
Graphics 8/10 - Nice environment, great visuals, impressive animations, and cool looking character's design.
Music and Sounds 8/10 - Awesome music and good sound effects.
Special Features 5/10 - Not enough features, but does have some good collectable concepts art and outfits.
Overall 7.9/10 - Looks like the recent Strider game is actually played damn pretty amazing for modern day consoles. It is a awesome reboot to the original 1989 game with 2D Metroidvania style gameplay, marvellous open world levels, and epic boss battles that made the game so cool these days. Strider made a great comeback in the year 2014 that hypes the fans of the series hoping to look forward the 2014 reboot. This game is definitely for the classic retro fans should able to get this game from PSN, XBLA and Steam as downloadable game.
Skip it
Rent it
Buy it
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