Previous Next

Strider hates US Gold. They always try to weave a story into their arcade conversions, but this time they've gone too far. He's been landed with the daftest excuse for a plot since last night's Neighbours. How will he ever face his arcade nutter counterparts again? Oh, the shame of it!

The plot on this outing has this sword-wielding nutter sent to attack the Red Army and save the western world (glasnost? Wossat then?). All starts well enough as he fights his way around Moscow and then zips up to Siberia to mix murder and a spot of skiing. But then he goes to the jungles of deepest Russia (?) and eventually battles the Master Soviet mutant (!?!) to save the free world. This is getting silly.

So when you play Strider, just get into the game, because it's good violent fun and no reasons are really needed. The screen ain't big enough for both of you so something's got to give, and it ain't going to be the Strider. You fly into Moscow on a hightech hanglider and drop down on to the red rooftops with a smile on your face. After all, Strider is a professional and he enjoys dusting people.

The first few waves are little more than limbering up exercises: a guard all kitted up in body armour and a real wimpy gun gets a quick appendectomy and a hovering weapons carrier can be persuaded to drop a protector 'droid for you. Want more? No problem, there's a whole army of these guys (literally) out there all spoiling for a fight. More wasting awaits you as your progress along the rooftops is hindered by sword fodder.

All's well until you meet an obstacle that even your trusty katana can't destroy, a huge chasm. So you wind him up to jump across and "yo mama!" Has this boy got style, or what! None of this half-hearted Fosby flop nonsense. Strider flips a huge somersault 15 feet up and 20 more forward, to land deftly on the other roof. He don't even think about the possibility of defeat, he's too busy looking good.

The battles continue, not particularly trickily, until you start encountering the level nasties. A big guy flies at you and must be sent into a cowering crouch before escape is possible. A laser turret forces you to up the strike rate and make like Michael Jackson between laser beams in an attempt to dent more than its pride. The worst of all is the ringworm (a sabre flashing worm created out of rings!) who bounces all over the place trying to cause you grief.

Roasting opponents is generally a matter of having seen each part before and knowing where to stand and strike those darned Ruskies. It's not the concept that makes Strider memorable - it's little more than a "grown up platform game" - but the technical execution and fiendish blend of problems and foes. Is it best to jump and run, duck and cover or stand or fight? Only time and plentiful practice will tell if you've got what it takes to rock with these guys.

The only failing in this arcade cut-'em-up is the feeling that with the bigger foes you don't really know whether you're causing them pain or wasting effort until they disappear in a puff of smoke (always bad for your health).

This seems to be a feature of Capcom's work, as anyone whose tried to top Bios in Forgotten Worlds will know. This is purely a personal gripe and the game will no doubt build a even stronger following among fans of Capcom's new programming superstars.

Graphically, the leaps and bounds almost have you making those strange martial arts noises that Ninjas are so fond of in the movies. Not as intensive as Forgotten Worlds, it requires more brainwork as well as deft waggling and wiggling to help the last hope for freedom strike a few blows for life, liberty and the way of the warrior.

The trips through the various Russian backdrops (including a rainforest - news to me!) leads to four levels of senseless violence, which is really its strong point.

Strider is put together with real thought and skill, suggesting strongly that the Capcom boys are working up to a real classic to make them legends in the computer aggro world. Strider is great but fails short of that classic grade - although a firm grounding in their style of gameplay will be required when their day of glory comes.

Pass the blade Stevie, I've got a ringworm problem and I think I know how to cure it!

This, the latest in a growing genre of platform Ninja games, is one of the best of its kind. You want to kick? You want to leap outrageous distances? Become Strider and you won't look back!

20,000 points.

Very visible.

Graphics 83%
P. Athletic sprites.
P. Purple and orange - lovely mix!

Sonics 72%
P. Brilliant music. OK effects.

Grab Factor 84%
P. Simple controls launch you into an ever more complex game.

Staying Power 81%
P. A sprinkling of nasties per level help to maintain the pressure.
N. Only four levels.

Overall 80%
Great arcade slashing fun.