Damn, first DuckTales Remastered and now a brand new Strider game, oh Capcom how you spoil us with your kindness. I never really thought Capcom would actually green light a new Strider game, I always assumed the series was just something only us “internet fans” cared about with zero chance of a sequel but it looks like I was wrong.
There’s fact sheets of information, screenshots and even a trailer so let’s go on a copy/paste frenzy.
The original assassin returns with the digital release of Strider® for the Xbox One®, Xbox 360®, PlayStation®4, PlayStation®3 and PC. An intense side scrolling action platformer, Strider’s action begins in the expansive metropolis of Kazakh City, a mix of ornate Russian architecture and hard-edged futuristic high-rise buildings with sprawling energy cables and pipework. Players freely explore the city, gaining new abilities and items which in turn open access to a truly expansive interconnected game world beyond. Strider features the same franchise hallmarks of fluid, lightning
quick combat and ground-breaking free-flowing traversal that inspired many of today’s third person action titles.
- The ultimate ninja returns – Strider Hiryu, the original assassin that inspired many third person action titles returns in a completely new game for a new generation of gamers as he takes on the Grand Master Meio.
- Lightning fast combat – Use an arsenal of moves and weapons against your enemies whilst slicing your way through a massive interconnected game world.
- Plasma Cyphers – From scorching enemies to deflecting a host of bullets, the indestructible plasma charged cypher offers a range of action tactics for players to use against their foes.
- Seamless Traversal – Jump, climb and run through the expansive game world with the speed and agility of a ninja whilst climbing surfaces to gain that extra height and engaging the enemy from virtually any direction.
- Varied enemy design – From cybernetic soldiers to immense bio-mechanical creatures the enemy types in Strider guarantee engaging and unique combat challenges.
- Call on your allies – Hiryu’s robot allies return, providing additional support and access to out of reach areas.
As you can see from the gameplay trailer above, Strider is looking pretty damn awesome and appears to remain very faithful to the original source material. It looks like Strider, it sounds like Strider and more importantly it plays like Strider. The game is being described as being a “Metroidvania” which to those who don’t know is the name given to Castlevania games that play like Metroid games. Considering Chair Entertainment still can’t get off their asses and make Shadow Complex 2 whilst Nintendo don’t even seem to acknowledge Metroid these days, Strider will have to fill the void.
I do have to wonder however, Capcom’s best works recently have come from the stuff they’ve outsourced to other outside developer like DmC (even though they f**ked up Dante) and the upcoming DuckTales Remastered. So who’s making this new Strider game anyway?
GOD DAMN IT!
Great, that’s the second time Double Helix games are somehow involved with one of my favourite games, the other being the upcoming Killer Instinct “reboot” for Xbox One. Well for what it’s worth, this Strider game looks A LOT better than what they’re doing with Killer Instinct. Maybe Double Helix Games have turned a new leaf and will begin pumping out some great titles. Designers from the original Strider games are on board helping out so maybe if Double Helix just do whatever those guys say, we’ll be fine.
Oh Double Helix Games, I don’t know how you’re being asked to develop these games but please don’t f**k it up. Gamers have been waiting forever for a new Strider and Killer Instinct, I hope you understand what these titles mean to us.
Strider will be out on Xbox 360, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4 and PC sometime in 2014. Sadly there’s no Wii U version in the works although if sales of the system pick up as the year closes out, I can see Capcom reconsidering their stance.
