Strider Hiryu 2 (Japan 991213)

Arcade Video game published 26 years ago:

Strider Hiryu 2 (c) 1999 Capcom.

A direct sequel to the superb 1989 original, the player once again takes on the role of Strider Hiryu; a ninja who wields a deadly plasma-ejecting cypher called the 'Falchion'. Players start the game by selecting one of three difficult missions, with a fourth becoming available once the initial three are completed. Completing the fourth mission will unlock the final 'boss' mission, in which the player must battle a number of bosses which includes the rogue 'Strider Hien' from the first Strider game. Once all missions are completed, the character of Strider Hien - who wields two ranged cyphers - is unlocked.

To add variety to the tight gameplay, Capcom included special unlockable and powerful skills to aid players on their missions. These included the Savage Slash ('Midare-Giri' in Japanese), Hassou Jump, Boost (unlimited if missions defeated by Hien) and rapid slash.

Strider 2 features improved graphics - now rendered in pseudo 3-D - but with hack-and-slash gameplay largely unaltered from the first game. One difference to the original is a greater emphasis placed on boss encounters.

- TECHNICAL -

Sony ZN-2 hardware

Main CPU : SPU (@ 16.9344 Mhz)
Sound CPU : Zilog Z80 (@ 8 Mhz)
Sound Chips : SPU (@ 8 Mhz), Q-Sound (@ 4 Mhz)

The game runs on a horizontal monitor and is drived by a 16-Bit color palette (65536 colors).

Players : 2
Control : 8-way joystick
Buttons : 6

- TRIVIA -

Strider Hiryu 2 was originally released in December 1999 in Japan. The title of this game translates from Japanese as 'Flying Dragon Strider 2'.

This game is known outside Japan as "Strider 2".

This is not the first Strider sequel to be released. U.S. Gold published a game known as "Strider Returns" to various home consoles, such as the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive, throughout the early 1990s. However, the game was poorly received by critics and gamers alike due to poor gameplay. Because of its failure and the true sequel being named Strider 2, it is possible that Capcom actually denied its existence.

The first background music from Stage 1 (Armed Fortress Invasion 1) samples 'Shot in the Dark', a song from Ozzy Osbourne.

Suleputer released a limited-edition soundtrack album for this game (Strider Hiryu 2 Original Soundtrack - CPCA-1035) on January 21, 2000.

- SERIES -

1. Strider Hiryu [B-Board 89625B-2] (1989, Arcade)
2. Strider Hiryu 2 (1999, Arcade)
3. Strider (2014, PS4, Xbox One)

- STAFF -

Planners : Atsushi Tomita, Yoshifumi Fukuda (Yo TD Fukuda), Masahiro Nakano, Nuki
Programmers : Tsutomu Urago, Kazuhiko Komori, Arikichi Kiyoko, Shigeru Kato, Hero Hero, Kazuo Yamawaki, Meijin, Yoshihiro Shindome
Scroll Designers : Takahashi Yasuto, Nakamura Takako, Yamamoto Yasuhiro, Yoichi Tanoue (Tanopu) (TT), Hongo Akiko
Object Designers : Minobe Hiroaki, Naoki Fukushima, G. Kamina, Miwa Sakaguchi, T, Shinya Miyamoto, Masanori Kondo, Y. Yamamoto, Masayuki Maeda 04, Hiro, Kaeru Nagashima, Akita, Tomomall. S, Toshihiro Suzuki, Narancia, R., Masaru_N, Koichi Kikutani (Kikutani), Tomohiko Ohsumi, Michiru, Kitasan
Designers : Shoei, Nezumi Otoko, Harumaru
Music Composers : Setsuo Yamamoto, Etsuko
Sound Effects : Ryoji Yamamoto, Yoshiki Sandou
Voice Actors : Kousuke Toriumi, Kan Tokumaru, Toshihide Tsuchiya, Hozumi Tokuda
Special Thanks : Sakomizu
Producer : Noritaka Funamizu
General Producer : Yoshiki Okamoto

- PORTS -

* CONSOLES:
[JP] Sony PlayStation (feb.24, 2000) "Strider Hiryu 1&2 [Model SLPS-02620~1]"

- CONTRIBUTE -

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