Originally conceived as a project by Capcom and manga studio Moto Kikaku, Strider originally debuted in 1989 as a side scrolling action title for the Arcade. It proved to be one of Capcom's early successes before the inception of Street Fighter II. Since it's release, it's been given multiple console ports with different revisions of the gameplay (the NES version being drastically different than the Arcade/Mega Drive versions) official sequels (Strider 2) and unofficial sequels (Strider II.) The star, Strider Hiryu has also been featured in his own manga detailing his story as well as multiple other Capcom titles, his famous appearance being in the Marvel vs Capcom series.
Now in 2014, Capcom brings Hiryu back to previous and current gen consoles, as well as PC under another development collaboration between Capcom Osaka and Double Helix. (Killer Instinct developers.)
Developers: Double Helix / Capcom Osaka
Publishers: Capcom
Available for: Xbox 360, PS3, Xbox One, PS4, PC (Steam)
Price: $14.99
Release Date: 2/18/14 (PSN), 2/19/14 (Everything else.)
Strider retains it's classic side scrolling gameplay seen in Strider 2, and the exploration aspects of Strider NES. As Hiryu traverses the large map of Kazakh City ruled by his nemesis, Grandmaster Meio, he begins to gain new abilities and power ups for his Cypher as well as multiple support items. His movelist includes attacks from both Strider and Strider 2, as well as his famous attacks from Marvel vs. Capcom (no X-Factor sadly). Below is a list of techniques that we know so far.
Physical Techniques
Assault Fang - Slide kick which destroys any enemy in its way. It can also break through vent shafts.
Double Jump - A Double Jump!
Plasma Catapult - Hiryu's air dash used for dodging and quick maneuvering!
Kunai - knives used to attack enemies, can also be upgraded like the rest of his equipment!
Cypher Techniques
Charge Attack - Hiryu charges up the Cypher and it goes 2x the length!
Down Strike - In mid-air, Hiryu charges up and then dives downward to strike the ground with a powerful shockwave attack.
Cypher Upgrades
Reflect Cypher - When the scarf is crimson red, the Cypher can deflect shots from enemies, sometimes sending them back if timed correctly.
Burst Cypher - When the scarf is orange, damage of the Cypher is increased and it can set enemies on fire!
Ultra-Cold Cypher- When the scarf is blue, Hiryu can freeze enemies with the Cypher. It's also utilized for platforming. (You can jump on the enemies as they're frozen.
Magnetic Cypher - When the scarf is purple, Hiryu summons two projectiles around him that can fire at enemies, then come back.
Options
Hiryu also gets access to his three support robots, the Options. They have been updated with new attacks, inspired by their behavior in the Marvel vs. Capcom series.
Option A: Satellite. Once active it produces two bots that spin around Hiryu, protecting him from attacks. They also shoot projectiles. Ouroboros!
Option B: Panther. Used to weed through large crowds. When near the Panther monuments, Panther will perform a Panther Run to carry Hiryu across areas.
Option C: Eagle. Used to perform a quick swoop attack from above at enemies in front of him. When used near Eagle monuments, the Option will carry Hiryu up and away to another area of the stage.
Gameplay Modes.
Strider has a traditional story mode with three initial difficulties (Easy, Normal, Hard.) and three unlockable difficulties.
Strider's Challenge Mode, Survival, has Hiryu facing different waves of enemies at increasing difficulties. (Think Devil May Cry's Bloody Palace.)
Beacon Run is Strider's speed-running mode.
Extras.
Strider has a Color Edit mode so you can customize Hiryu in multiple bright ass colors.
There's also Costume Unlocks. Like Strider Hien's costume.
There's also ranking/leaderboards!
Platform Differences
The Xbox 360/PS3 version runs at 720p/30fps.
The PC/Xbone/PS4 version runs at 1080p/60fps.
The Japanese release has a retail version that comes with digital copies of Strider 1 and 2. It also has a special edition that comes with a bunch of other stuff.
The physical PlayStation 3 version of the 2014 Strider, including all its extras: a custom "Strider" PS3 theme, a special video interview with the first game's director Kouichi Yotsui, and download codes for the "Game Archives" version of "Strider Hiryu 1&2.
"Special Box" - a storage box with cover artwork done by veteran Mega Man artist Ryuji Higurashi.
"Strider Hiryu Visual Chronicle" - An 80-pages artwork compilation including art pieces from Strider, Strider 2 and the new Strider, as well as unpublished material from the cancelled Famicom Strider. The cover art is done by the Capcom artist known as "Tamio" (たみお.
"Strider Hiryu Sound Chronicle" - A 3-CD soundtrack compilation of all three Strider games. The soundtrack for the first Strider includes the full fixed soundtrack extracted from the "Resale Version" (再販版
"Instruction Card & Sticker Set" - The stickers and instruction material used in the Arcade cabinets for the first Strider and Strider 2.
"Pocket Spread Clear File" - Includes the Special Box and Visual Chronicle cover artworks.
"Mask" - A crimson Hiryu-like facemask with the "Hi" kanji sewed on its side.
"Badge" - The chest badge with the red "Hi" kanji seen in Hiryu's new design. It comes with a writing from the game's art director, Sho Sakai.
The PC version comes with the Soundtrack and a digital artbook!
Wondering about the soundtrack? here's a Sampler.
Screens.
Here are some PS4 screens.
Here are some misc. screens that you may like.
World Map.
