Strider II (1990 video game): Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|1990 video game}} |
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{{For|the 1999 Capcom-produced sequel to Strider|Strider 2}} |
{{For|the 1999 Capcom-produced sequel to Strider|Strider 2 (1999 video game)}} |
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{{Infobox VG |
{{Infobox VG |
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|title= Strider II |
|title= Strider II |
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|image= |
|image= US Gold Strider II ad.jpg |
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|caption= 1990 |
|caption= 1990 advert |
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|developer= [[Tiertex]] |
|developer= [[Tiertex]] |
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|publisher= [[U.S. Gold]] |
|publisher= [[U.S. Gold]] |
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|designer= |
|designer= |
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|released= {{vgy|1990}} |
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|released= {{vgrelease|EU|November 1990<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Strider |magazine=[[Zero (video game magazine)|Zero]] |date=November 1990 |issue=14 (December 1990) |pages=84 |url=https://archive.org/details/zero-magazine-14/page/n83/mode/1up}}</ref>}} |
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|genre= [[Platform game|Platform]] |
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|genre= [[Action game|Action]], [[Platformer|platform]] |
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|modes= Single |
|modes= [[Single-player]] |
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|ratings= |
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|input= |
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|cabinet= |
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|arcade system= |
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|display= |
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}} |
}} |
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'''''Strider II''''' (released in North America under the title of '''''Journey from Darkness: Strider Returns'''''), is a |
'''''Strider II''''' (released in North America under the title of '''''Journey from Darkness: Strider Returns'''''), is a 1990 [[action game|action]]-[[platformer|platform game]] published by [[U.S. Gold]] (under license from Capcom USA) and originally released for various computer platforms. It is a European-developed sequel to [[Capcom]]'s [[arcade video game]] ''[[Strider (1989 arcade game)|Strider]]'', which U.S. Gold previously ported to home computers in Europe. |
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Capcom later developed their own sequel in |
Capcom later developed their own sequel in 1999, titled ''[[Strider 2 (1999 video game)|Strider 2]]'' for the arcades and [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]], which ignores U.S. Gold's version of ''Strider II''. |
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==Gameplay== |
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==Computer versions== |
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⚫ | The objective of the game is to rescue the Princess of Planet Magenta from a terrorist group that is keeping her captive. The controls in the computer version are similar to U.S. Gold's home computer ports of the original ''Strider'', although the character cannot slide nor climb ceilings like in the original game. However, he can still climb walls, as well as ropes. In addition to his cypher, he can also use a rifle whenever he is standing still. If the player character has collected enough energy icons throughout each stage, he will transform into a wheeled robot when confronting the boss at the end of each stage. As a robot, Strider can shoot lasers, but cannot jump nor crouch. His robot form has a separate health gauge from his regular health gauge as a human. When his robot gauge runs out, he will transform back to a human. The game consists of five stages.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lemonamiga.com/?mainurl=http%3A//www.lemonamiga.com/games/docs.php%3Fid%3D1564|title=Transcription of Strider II's Amiga Manual|website=Lemon Amiga|accessdate=5 Jan 2010}}</ref> |
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==Release== |
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==Ports== |
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==Console versions== |
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Two years after the release of the computer versions, U.S. Gold and Tiertex ported ''Strider II'' to the Mega Drive. In addition to its European release, ''Strider II'' was also released for the American Sega Genesis under the title of ''Journey from Darkness: Strider Returns''. The |
Two years after the release of the computer versions, U.S. Gold and Tiertex ported ''Strider II'' to the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive. In addition to its European release, ''Strider II'' was also released for the American Sega Genesis under the title of ''Journey from Darkness: Strider Returns''. The Genesis version of ''Strider Returns'' differs from the previous computer version in several ways. While the plot is the same, the antagonist is now the Grandmaster (Meio) from the original ''Strider'' (who is referred in the game's manual as the "Evil Master"). Although the main character uses the same sprite as in the Genesis version of the original ''Strider'', this Strider is addressed in the manual as "Hinjo" (instead of "[[Strider Hiryu|Hiryu]]", the actual code name of the original protagonist).<ref>{{cite video game|title=Journey from Darkness: Strider Returns|developer=Tiertex|publisher=U.S. Gold|level=Instruction manual, page 1}}</ref> |
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The player controls Hinjo similarly to Hiryu in the first |
The player controls Hinjo similarly to Hiryu in the first Genesis game (with the ability to slide and move under ceilings retained). Instead of a gun like in the home computer versions, Hinjo throws [[shuriken]]s but only if he collects them first.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Journey from Darkness: Strider Returns|developer=Tiertex|publisher=U.S. Gold |level=Instruction manual, page 3}}</ref> Instead of transforming into a robot when he confronts a boss, Hinjo collects orbs throughout each stage instead. These orbs will surround Hinjo and protect him when he faces the stage's boss.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Journey from Darkness: Strider Returns|developer=Tiertex|publisher=U.S. Gold|level=Instruction manual, page 5}}</ref> The player can choose between Hiryu's original cypher from the first game or a new "sweeping" cypher.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Journey from Darkness: Strider Returns|developer=Tiertex|publisher=U.S. Gold|level=Instruction manual, page 4}}</ref> |
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''Strider II'' was also released for the 8-bit [[Master System]] in Europe. This version features gameplay similar to its |
''Strider II'' was also released for the 8-bit [[Master System]] in Europe. This version features gameplay similar to its Genesis counterpart. Unlike the Genesis version, the Strider's supply of shurikens are unlimited, but he can only throw two on-screen at the same time. Due to the fewer buttons of the Master System's controller, shurikens are thrown while the player is standing still. This version was converted to the [[Game Gear]] and released in North America and also in Europe as ''Journey from Darkness: Strider Returns''. An [[Atari Lynx]] version was being developed and listed as 50% complete, but it was never released.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/RAZE_Issue_09_1991-07_Newsfield_Publishing_GB/page/n19|title=Lynx Column - Atari Attack - Strider II|magazine=[[Raze (magazine)|Raze]] |issue=9|publisher=[[Newsfield]]|date=July 1991|page=20}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_030_January_1992/page/n163 |title=ProNews Report: Atari Expands Lynx Line-up|magazine=[[GamePro]]|issue=30|publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|date=January 1992|page=160}}</ref> |
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==Reception== |
==Reception== |
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Matt Bielby of ''[[Your Sinclair]]'' magazine gave the game a positive review, and went so far as to claim that Capcom wanted to use the Sinclair port of this game as the basis for a coin-op sequel.<ref |
Matt Bielby of ''[[Your Sinclair]]'' magazine gave the game a positive review, and went so far as to claim that Capcom wanted to use the Sinclair port of this game as the basis for a coin-op sequel.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Bielby|first=Matt|url=http://www.ysrnry.co.uk/articles/striderii.htm|title=Strider II|journal=Your Sinclair|issue=61|pages=51 |date=January 1991|accessdate=20 Dec 2009}}</ref> |
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The four reviewers of ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'' gave the Genesis version a 6.75 out of 10, describing it as a decent but disappointing sequel. They praised the massive size of the game and the high amount of digitized voices, but criticized that the animation is much too choppy. Three of the four also felt that the gameplay lacked the excitement of the original ''Strider''.<ref>{{cite |
The four reviewers of ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'' gave the Genesis version a 6.75 out of 10, describing it as a decent but disappointing sequel. They praised the massive size of the game and the high amount of digitized voices, but criticized that the animation is much too choppy. Three of the four also felt that the gameplay lacked the excitement of the original ''Strider''.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Review Crew: Strider Returns|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=51|publisher=Sendai Publishing|date=October 1993|page=40}}</ref> They gave the Game Gear version a unanimous score of 7 out of 10, but were sharply divided in their opinions. Two of them felt it to be "surprisingly better on the Game Gear than on the Genesis", citing better playability with far less choppiness in the animation, while the other two felt it to be far worse than the Genesis version, complaining of both inferior graphics and the annoyingly long distance the player character is knocked back when hit.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Review Crew: Strider Returns|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=51|publisher=Sendai Publishing|date=October 1993|page=44}}</ref> ''[[GamePro]]'' took the middle ground, saying the "Graphics and game play parallel the Genesis version." They praised the controls, large sprites, and detailed backgrounds, but criticized the slower pace and droning soundtrack, and concluded "Strider fans will welcome his return, but others will shrug."<ref>{{cite magazine|title=ProReviews|magazine=[[GamePro]]|issue=61|publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|date=October 1993|page=139}}</ref> |
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In a Strider series retrospective, Ken Horowitz of Sega-16.com compared ''Strider Returns'' to "seeing a loved one revived as a mindless zombie".<ref |
In a Strider series retrospective, Ken Horowitz of Sega-16.com compared ''Strider Returns'' to "seeing a loved one revived as a mindless zombie".<ref>{{cite web|last=Horowitz |first=Ken|url=http://www.sega-16.com/feature_page.php?id=112&title=History%20of:%20The%20Strider%20Series|title=History of: The Strider Series |website=Sega-16.com|date=31 May 2005|accessdate=21 Dec 2009}}</ref> Travis Fahs, writing a Retro feature for [[IGN]], commented that U.S. Gold had made multiple improvements to ''Strider II'' for its console ports, but that the core problem of dull level design remained.<ref>{{cite web|last=Fahs|first=Travis|url=http://retro.ign.com/articles/900/900723p1.html|title=The Shrouded Past of Strider Hiryu|publisher=[[IGN]]|date=20 Aug 2008|accessdate=21 Dec 2009}}</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{ |
{{Reflist}} |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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*{{WoS game|id=0004944|name=Strider II}} |
*{{WoS game|id=0004944|name=Strider II}} |
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*{{moby game|id=/strider-2_}} |
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{{Strider series}} |
{{Strider series}} |
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{{Authority control}} |
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[[Category:1990 video games]] |
[[Category:1990 video games]] |
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[[Category:Amstrad CPC games]] |
[[Category:Amstrad CPC games]] |
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[[Category:Atari ST games]] |
[[Category:Atari ST games]] |
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[[Category:Commodore 64 games]] |
[[Category:Commodore 64 games]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Game Gear games]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Master System games]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Platformers]] |
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[[Category:Sega Genesis games]] |
[[Category:Sega Genesis games]] |
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[[Category:Single-player video games]] |
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[[Category:Strider Hiryu]] |
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[[Category:Tiertex Design Studios games]] |
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[[Category:Video game sequels]] |
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[[Category:Video games about ninja]] |
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[[Category:Video games developed in the United Kingdom]] |
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[[Category:ZX Spectrum games]] |
[[Category:ZX Spectrum games]] |
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Latest revision as of 00:46, 4 September 2024
Strider II (released in North America under the title of Journey from Darkness: Strider Returns), is a 1990 action-platform game published by U.S. Gold (under license from Capcom USA) and originally released for various computer platforms. It is a European-developed sequel to Capcom's arcade video game Strider, which U.S. Gold previously ported to home computers in Europe.
Capcom later developed their own sequel in 1999, titled Strider 2 for the arcades and PlayStation, which ignores U.S. Gold's version of Strider II.
Gameplay
[edit]The objective of the game is to rescue the Princess of Planet Magenta from a terrorist group that is keeping her captive. The controls in the computer version are similar to U.S. Gold's home computer ports of the original Strider, although the character cannot slide nor climb ceilings like in the original game. However, he can still climb walls, as well as ropes. In addition to his cypher, he can also use a rifle whenever he is standing still. If the player character has collected enough energy icons throughout each stage, he will transform into a wheeled robot when confronting the boss at the end of each stage. As a robot, Strider can shoot lasers, but cannot jump nor crouch. His robot form has a separate health gauge from his regular health gauge as a human. When his robot gauge runs out, he will transform back to a human. The game consists of five stages.[2]
Release
[edit]Strider II was released for the Amiga, Atari ST, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, and ZX Spectrum. Strider II was later remade for the Sega Genesis, Master System and Game Gear in 1992.
Ports
[edit]Two years after the release of the computer versions, U.S. Gold and Tiertex ported Strider II to the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive. In addition to its European release, Strider II was also released for the American Sega Genesis under the title of Journey from Darkness: Strider Returns. The Genesis version of Strider Returns differs from the previous computer version in several ways. While the plot is the same, the antagonist is now the Grandmaster (Meio) from the original Strider (who is referred in the game's manual as the "Evil Master"). Although the main character uses the same sprite as in the Genesis version of the original Strider, this Strider is addressed in the manual as "Hinjo" (instead of "Hiryu", the actual code name of the original protagonist).[3]
The player controls Hinjo similarly to Hiryu in the first Genesis game (with the ability to slide and move under ceilings retained). Instead of a gun like in the home computer versions, Hinjo throws shurikens but only if he collects them first.[4] Instead of transforming into a robot when he confronts a boss, Hinjo collects orbs throughout each stage instead. These orbs will surround Hinjo and protect him when he faces the stage's boss.[5] The player can choose between Hiryu's original cypher from the first game or a new "sweeping" cypher.[6]
Strider II was also released for the 8-bit Master System in Europe. This version features gameplay similar to its Genesis counterpart. Unlike the Genesis version, the Strider's supply of shurikens are unlimited, but he can only throw two on-screen at the same time. Due to the fewer buttons of the Master System's controller, shurikens are thrown while the player is standing still. This version was converted to the Game Gear and released in North America and also in Europe as Journey from Darkness: Strider Returns. An Atari Lynx version was being developed and listed as 50% complete, but it was never released.[7][8]
Reception
[edit]Matt Bielby of Your Sinclair magazine gave the game a positive review, and went so far as to claim that Capcom wanted to use the Sinclair port of this game as the basis for a coin-op sequel.[9]
The four reviewers of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the Genesis version a 6.75 out of 10, describing it as a decent but disappointing sequel. They praised the massive size of the game and the high amount of digitized voices, but criticized that the animation is much too choppy. Three of the four also felt that the gameplay lacked the excitement of the original Strider.[10] They gave the Game Gear version a unanimous score of 7 out of 10, but were sharply divided in their opinions. Two of them felt it to be "surprisingly better on the Game Gear than on the Genesis", citing better playability with far less choppiness in the animation, while the other two felt it to be far worse than the Genesis version, complaining of both inferior graphics and the annoyingly long distance the player character is knocked back when hit.[11] GamePro took the middle ground, saying the "Graphics and game play parallel the Genesis version." They praised the controls, large sprites, and detailed backgrounds, but criticized the slower pace and droning soundtrack, and concluded "Strider fans will welcome his return, but others will shrug."[12]
In a Strider series retrospective, Ken Horowitz of Sega-16.com compared Strider Returns to "seeing a loved one revived as a mindless zombie".[13] Travis Fahs, writing a Retro feature for IGN, commented that U.S. Gold had made multiple improvements to Strider II for its console ports, but that the core problem of dull level design remained.[14]
References
[edit]- ^ "Strider". Zero. No. 14 (December 1990). November 1990. p. 84.
- ^ "Transcription of Strider II's Amiga Manual". Lemon Amiga. Retrieved 5 Jan 2010.
- ^ Tiertex. Journey from Darkness: Strider Returns. U.S. Gold. Level/area: Instruction manual, page 1.
- ^ Tiertex. Journey from Darkness: Strider Returns. U.S. Gold. Level/area: Instruction manual, page 3.
- ^ Tiertex. Journey from Darkness: Strider Returns. U.S. Gold. Level/area: Instruction manual, page 5.
- ^ Tiertex. Journey from Darkness: Strider Returns. U.S. Gold. Level/area: Instruction manual, page 4.
- ^ "Lynx Column - Atari Attack - Strider II". Raze. No. 9. Newsfield. July 1991. p. 20.
- ^ "ProNews Report: Atari Expands Lynx Line-up". GamePro. No. 30. IDG. January 1992. p. 160.
- ^ Bielby, Matt (January 1991). "Strider II". Your Sinclair (61): 51. Retrieved 20 Dec 2009.
- ^ "Review Crew: Strider Returns". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 51. Sendai Publishing. October 1993. p. 40.
- ^ "Review Crew: Strider Returns". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 51. Sendai Publishing. October 1993. p. 44.
- ^ "ProReviews". GamePro. No. 61. IDG. October 1993. p. 139.
- ^ Horowitz, Ken (31 May 2005). "History of: The Strider Series". Sega-16.com. Retrieved 21 Dec 2009.
- ^ Fahs, Travis (20 Aug 2008). "The Shrouded Past of Strider Hiryu". IGN. Retrieved 21 Dec 2009.
External links
[edit]- Strider II at SpectrumComputing.co.uk
- Strider II at MobyGames
- 1990 video games
- Amiga games
- Amstrad CPC games
- Atari ST games
- Cancelled Atari Lynx games
- Commodore 64 games
- Game Gear games
- Master System games
- Platformers
- Sega Genesis games
- Single-player video games
- Strider Hiryu
- Tiertex Design Studios games
- U.S. Gold games
- Video game sequels
- Video games about ninja
- Video games developed in the United Kingdom
- ZX Spectrum games