Strider
Strider reboot blends the series into a Metroidvania melting pot
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Hiryu loud and clear
People seem to arrive at the Strider franchise in a multitude of ways. Some vividly recall the original arcade version, and the stunningly accurate Genesis port. Others remember Strider on NES, a large-scale platforming adventure that was completely different but just as awesome as the first. Maybe you know him primarily as a Marvel vs. Capcom character, or perhaps you're among the lucky few who played Strider 2. Whatever the case, the new, downloadable Strider reboot seems like it'll have something for everyone.
From the get-go, it's clear that this reimagining still retains the breakneck pace and difficulty of the originals. Strider (complete with his neon red scarf) arrives via high-tech hang glider, dashes with every movement, and can swing his sword as fast as you can mash a button. But, like the NES game, this Strider isn't just about running and killing from left to right. Instead of individual stages, Strider's new target--a base once again ruled by the sinister Grandmaster Meio--is one gigantic area divided into districts. This gives Strider a Metroidvania quality, where exploration is rewarded by hidden secrets and upgrades like new sword slashes or robot assist types.
And just like the original Strider games, this mission is no cakewalk. There's a temptation to simply run forward and slash your sword like mad, but such a mindless tactic will only result in repeated deaths. You'll have to temper your dashing with carefully timed swipes, which can deflect bullets back at your attackers. But we'd expect nothing less than demanding difficulty--this is a Strider game, after all.
Check out the following screenshots for more info!
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Gotta love that classic metal hawk hang glider.
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Strider's sword slashes still give off that unforgettable "SHING!" sound.
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Expect to fight multiple enemy 'bots at any given time.
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Strider's upswing launches just as well in this game as it does in MvC.
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Strider's still able to grapple onto walls with ease--great for exploring levels or evading enemies.
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That pose. THAT POSE!
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Don't feel like closing distance to kill an enemy? Just puncture his face with a fistful of kunai.
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Some opposition, like this shielded drone, require a slide-slash combo to take down.
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Our demo ended with a boss battle against this colossal dragon, which we hacked into with impunity.
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Each of the game's districts is ruled over by a General, one of which may or may not be pictured here.
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True story: this battle sees Strider dueling with the Pooh sisters.
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You'll need to master the pinpoint timing of bullet deflection if you expect to get far.
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BladedFalcon - October 7, 2013 5:28 p.m.
This is a very encouraging preview. After the initial reveal, I was worried about this game because one: It's developed by DoubleHelix, whose track record is... spotty, to say the least. and two: The initial gameplay video that was showed looked sharp... but not particularly difficult, so it's good to know that the challenge is there ^^ Also, as a fan of metroidvania in generals, I like that they are integrating that as well. I just hope they make each district distinct. The current futuristic is nice, but if they don't mix it up with different stuff like say, forests or a different kind of scenery, it could get dull pretty fast. -
shawksta - October 7, 2013 7:17 p.m.
Double Helix seems to be on the ball these days its true, their track record is rather spotty, but currently they are really doing a good job on both Strider and Killer Instinct(its been getting better with each update so far), with help from Capcom and Rare obviously -
BladedFalcon - October 7, 2013 9:06 p.m.
Yeah, hopefully these games can prove they are capable. Still doubt Killer Instinct will be good, but well, I can always be proven wrong. -
shawksta - October 7, 2013 9:18 p.m.
Hopefully. They have been doing good so far on the balance and to not make the system broken, hopefully its all worth it. The massive bump right now is that the game is rushed as Microsoft wants the game to be done by launch, which is why only 6 characters will be available initially, but at least they gave the decency to keep the price at a $20-$40 range -
BladedFalcon - October 7, 2013 10:40 p.m.
I'm just not yet convinced it'll really do anything to stand out from the crowd though. the original KI did so because it had it's unique graphical style going for it, and it's emphasis on a looser gameplay, focused on outrageously long combos was new back then, but not anymore. Now, even thinking positively and believing this game will do everything they promise it'll do. I don't exactly see why it'd be worth it. I mean, it's not going to be as tight and strategic as a street fighter or BlazBlue game... And it doesn't look like it'll be more showy than MK9 or Injustice simply because those titles have a way bigger budget to make them look better and flashier. Thus KI is sandwiched in a middle of "good" but not "excellent" at best, with not much but nostalgia for the first titles keeping it afloat... and even than that's kinda dim considering how it's radically changing some of the original designs. (That Glacius is awful.) -
shawksta - October 8, 2013 5:39 p.m.
True, i guess we'll have to wait and see, because they are showing that they want the game to be good and are listening to any complaints on the system and trying to fix it. Lets see how that goes. Opinions vary, they took a more direct approach on the designs to better suit the characters. Glacius was made to not simply be an Ice Alien, but rather an Alien, wearing an Ice suit that gives him these powers. If anything, B.Orchid had a drastic change thats not even her anymore. -
BladedFalcon - October 8, 2013 5:54 p.m.
The problem is that Glacius no longer looks anything like what he was supposed to be, and worse, his alien design looks extremely overdone and ultimately forgettable, it's like the Michael Bay approach to Transformers. Too focused on making them look "complex" and pseudo realistic, that they lose any semblance of personality. And yeah, the other designs don't fare any better. You could claim the original KI designs were too "90"s and goofy, but at least they were recognizable. These new ones focus too much in making them "gritty" and updated to today, that they might was well be new characters, and not nearly as distinct looking. Look at what MK9 did, they certainly added more detail to the character designs, and in some cases, sobered them up a tad, but overall, all the characters are instantly recognizable to the characters they were back on the first games. THAT is how you update Nostalgia. -
shawksta - October 8, 2013 7:02 p.m.
Fair enough, Mortal Kombat did do an overall great job, there's word there coups be alt. costumes that will make them more akin to their classic styles but unless it's Tekken, as a fighting game it's most likely gonna be paid DLC. I personally dig new Glacius, as well as Sabrewolf. First time I heard anyone say Michael bay but looking at it now your right XD -
BladedFalcon - October 8, 2013 8:32 p.m.
Well, not just Mortal Kombat though. Street fighter IV also kept the original designs almost intact. Ditto for the upcoming new Guilty Gear game. There's a reason why those games garnered a fanbase in the first place. More than in any other genre, a character appearance and distinctiveness is what makes a fighting character appealing. Mess with that appearance too much, and you risk losing what made them unique in the first place. And well... seriously, frigging look at him, give him a more metallic sheen, increase his size, and he can easily pass as a new michael bay transformer :P -
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BladedFalcon - October 8, 2013 11:11 p.m.
There you go, they did that because they are still obviously trying to bank on nostalgia, but at the same time, they don't want to fully commit, and seem to think that the new designs will help appeal to a new, younger crowd.... Which I very much doubt it will, honestly. -
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BladedFalcon - October 9, 2013 5:42 a.m.
And yet, far as I know, that F2P Tekken game hasn't made a big splash... So I'm not sure many will bite with KI. -
Swedish_Chef - October 7, 2013 9:44 p.m.
Considering the game is a retelling of the original Strider they could split up the different zones of the map so they represent the environments of the different levels in the original game. -
BladedFalcon - October 7, 2013 10:34 p.m.
I wasn't aware that this was a retelling o.O well, maybe so! That certainly would help things ^^ -
Swedish_Chef - October 7, 2013 4:58 p.m.
I'm hyped. So please, please, PLEASE DON'T SCREW THIS UP!!! -
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dangomushi - October 9, 2013 9:26 p.m.