Strider II

From Sega Retro

n/a

  • Sega Mega Drive
    PAL
  • Sega Mega Drive
    NTSC-U
  • Master System
  • Game Gear

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StriderReturns GG Title.png

Strider II
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Sega Master System, Sega Game Gear
Publisher: U.S. Gold
Developer:
Distributor:
Sega Mega Drive
Hent Gruppen (SE rental)
Sega Master System
Tec Toy (BR)
Licensor: Capcom USA
Genre: Action[1]

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
US 		T-79036
Sega Mega Drive
US ▼
(Sega Channel) 		SUBsub
Sega Mega Drive
EU 		79036-50
Sega Mega Drive
EU ▼
(Sega Channel) 		SUBsub
Sega Mega Drive
UK 		£39.9939.99[3] 79036-50
Sega Mega Drive
SE
(Rental)
Sega Mega Drive
AU 		FSTR11SMC
Sega Master System
EU 		29005-50
Sega Master System
DE 		DM 89.9589.95[7] 29005-50
Sega Master System
UK 		£29.9929.99[6] 29005-50
Sega Master System
AU 		FSTR11SEC
Sega Master System
BR 		026250
Sega Game Gear
US 		$39.9539.95[8] T-79048
Sega Game Gear
EU 		79048-50
Sega Game Gear
EU
(Kixx) 		79048-50
ELSPA: 3+ OK
Sega Game Gear
PT 		GG79048
Sega Game Gear
UK 		£24.9924.99[11] 79048-50
Non-Sega versions

Strider II is a sequel to Strider, released for the Sega Mega Drive, Sega Master System, and the Sega Game Gear in 1993. It is known as Journey from Darkness: Strider Returns in North America (although initially it too was known as Strider II), which is also the title of the Game Gear version in all regions. Strider II was developed by Tiertex, who ported the original game to the Master System and various home computers, and published by U.S. Gold, who had the rights to the Strider license outside of Japan at the time.

It should not be confused with the later release of Strider 2, which was developed in-house by Capcom.

Story

“

This guy is like a bad habit, he just won't go away. Now this Evil Master Dude and his legions of nimrods are poised above the planet in a space station, ready to make the planet one big black hole. Not only that, those blasted automadions (space slang for funky robot type guys) have captured Lexia (Not the car, the babe!) and holding her prisoner aboard their space station.

Don't it just make your blood boil? Doesn't it make your skin crawl? Does it make your face turn red with anger? Hold on, get a grip! We've been in this kind of fix before. Okay, okay, you're right, probably not this bad. But hey, this is a video game there's always a good guy somewhere. Get with the program!

It just so happens, that on the island Moralos (you remember the secret base of famous Striders) there is just the guy you are looking for. The most pumped up Strider of them all Hinjo, is just waiting to punch these guys' light out. Go ahead, grab that control pad and give it a shot, sounds like a piece of cake... Wrong! This baby's not your every day space walk in the park! Strider's back and the fun is about to begin. Rumble on Strider Dude!

„

— US manual [12]


Grandmaster Meio, the antagonist of the first game, has captured the princess, Lexia (who is not a car). The Strider known as Hinjo must rescue her.

Gameplay

Mega Drive version

The game is an action platformer and plays similarly to its forebear. The Strider Hinjo starts each stage in a capsule and must make his way through the stage to the capsule at the end. Hinjo collects orbs throughout each stage, and these orbs surround Hinjo and protect him when he faces the stage's boss.

Hinjo moves with Left and Right and crouches with Down. He does a vertical jump with C and a cartwheel jump with Left+C or Right+C. He slides along the ground with Down+C. Hinjo has a hook that he uses to latch onto platforms, ceilings, and walls, which he can then climb across. While hanging, he can jump off a ceiling with Down or climb onto a platform with Up. He can climb ropes and chains with Up and Down.

Hinjo swings his cypher with B. Hinjo can swing his cypher while crouching, jumping, or sliding. The player can choose between the original cypher from the first game, which has a tall area of effect, or a new "sweeping" cypher, which is flatter but longer. He can throw shurikens with A, but they are limited in supply. Shurikens can only be thrown while standing still or crouching.

Hinjo has a health gauge with five segments. He loses a life if he loses all of his health, if he falls into a bottomless pit, or if the stage timer runs out. More time is added to the timer at certain checkpoints during the stages. He also has a separate "orb" gauge with five segments, which absorbs damage during boss fights if the player has collected orbs during the stage. The game ends when all of Hinjo's lives are lost, but it can be continued as long as the player has continues remaining. Extra lives are awarded every 20,000 points. There are two difficulty levels, Normal and Expert.

Items

Strider Returns MD, Items.png
 Capsule
Attack to release an item or bonus points.
Strider Returns MD, Items.png
 Power Up
The first Power Up item extends the reach of Hinjo's cypher. The second arms Hinjo with 7 shurikens, the third arms him with double shurikens (thrown two at a time in a spread), and the fourth arms him with triple shurikens (thrown three at a time in a spread).
Strider Returns MD, Items.png
 Small Energy
Restores one health point.
Strider Returns MD, Items.png
 Large Energy
Restores all health points.
Strider Returns MD, Items.png
 Orb Energy
Collect to add additional protective orbs during the boss fight at the end of the stage, up to a maximum of 5.
Strider Returns MD, Items.png
 Protective Orb
A protective orb that orbits Hinjo and destroys enemies that cross its path. Similar to options in the first game, collecting an orb changes the color of Hinjo's rightmost health point. Hinjo loses the orb if he loses this health point.
Strider Returns MD, Items.png
 Extra Life
Gives the player an extra life.

Stages

Strider Returns MD, Stage 1.png

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  • Strider Returns MD, Stage 1.png

  • Strider Returns MD, Stage 1 Boss 1.png

  • Strider Returns MD, Stage 1 Boss 2.png

  • Strider Returns MD, Stage 1 Boss 3.png

The Forbidden Forest

Strider Returns MD, Stage 2.png

Strider Returns MD, Stage 2 Boss 1.png

Strider Returns MD, Stage 2 Boss 2.png

  • Strider Returns MD, Stage 2.png

  • Strider Returns MD, Stage 2 Boss 1.png

  • Strider Returns MD, Stage 2 Boss 2.png

The Castle Metropolis

Strider Returns MD, Stage 3.png

Strider Returns MD, Stage 3 Boss.png

  • Strider Returns MD, Stage 3.png

  • Strider Returns MD, Stage 3 Boss.png

The Hive

Strider Returns MD, Stage 4.png

Strider Returns MD, Stage 4 Boss.png

  • Strider Returns MD, Stage 4.png

  • Strider Returns MD, Stage 4 Boss.png

The Alien Depths

Strider Returns MD, Stage 5 Boss 1.png

Strider Returns MD, Stage 5.png

Strider Returns MD, Stage 5 Boss 2.png

Strider Returns MD, Stage 5 Boss 3.png

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Strider Returns MD, Stage 5 Boss 5.png

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  • Strider Returns MD, Stage 5 Boss 1.png

  • Strider Returns MD, Stage 5.png

  • Strider Returns MD, Stage 5 Boss 2.png

  • Strider Returns MD, Stage 5 Boss 3.png

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  • Strider Returns MD, Stage 5 Boss 6.png

  • Strider Returns MD, Stage 5 Boss 7.png

The Master's Prison Ship

Master System and Game Gear versions

The 8-bit version of the game closely follows the design of the Mega Drive version. Hinjo must make his way through each stage, fighting enemies and using his acrobatic abilities. Hinjo collects orbs throughout each stage, and these orbs surround Hinjo and protect him when he faces the stage's boss.

Hinjo walks with Left and Right and crouches with Down. He does a vertical jump with 2 and a cartwheel jump with Left+2 or Right+2. He slides along the ground with Down+2. Hinjo has a hook that he uses to latch onto platforms, ceilings, and walls, which he can then climb across. While hanging, he can jump off a ceiling with Down or climb onto a platform with Up. He can climb ropes and chains with Up and Down.

Hinjo throws shurikens with 1 while standing. Unlike the Mega Drive version, shurikens are unlimited (but only two can be on-screen at a time). He swings his cypher with 1 instead if there is an enemy within melee range or if he is walking, crouching, jumping, or sliding (as shurikens can only be thrown while standing).

Hinjo has a health gauge with five segments. He loses a life if he loses all of his health or if the stage timer runs out. More time is added to the timer at certain checkpoints during the stages. Some hazards are also instantly fatal, such as bottomless pits or fire. He also has a separate "orb" gauge with five segments, which absorbs damage during boss fights if the player has collected orbs during the stage. The game ends when all of Hinjo's lives are lost. He starts the game with five lives. The player has one continue with three lives. There are two difficulty levels, Easy and Hard.

Items

Strider II SMS, Items.png
 Capsule
Attack to release an item.
Strider II SMS, Items.png
 Heart
Restores part of Hinjo's health gauge.
Strider II SMS, Items.png
 Orb Energy
Collect to add additional protective orbs during the boss fight at the end of the stage, up to a maximum of 5.

Stages

Strider II SMS, Stage 1.png

Strider II SMS, Stage 1 Boss 1.png

Strider II SMS, Stage 1 Boss 2.png

Strider II SMS, Stage 1 Boss 3.png

  • Strider II SMS, Stage 1.png

  • Strider II SMS, Stage 1 Boss 1.png

  • Strider II SMS, Stage 1 Boss 2.png

  • Strider II SMS, Stage 1 Boss 3.png

The Forbidden Forest

Strider II SMS, Stage 2.png

Strider II SMS, Stage 2 Boss 1.png

Strider II SMS, Stage 2 Boss 2.png

  • Strider II SMS, Stage 2.png

  • Strider II SMS, Stage 2 Boss 1.png

  • Strider II SMS, Stage 2 Boss 2.png

Castle Metropolis

Strider II SMS, Stage 3.png

Strider II SMS, Stage 3 Boss.png

  • Strider II SMS, Stage 3.png

  • Strider II SMS, Stage 3 Boss.png

Alien Labyrinth

Strider II SMS, Stage 4.png

Strider II SMS, Stage 4 Boss.png

  • Strider II SMS, Stage 4.png

  • Strider II SMS, Stage 4 Boss.png

The Rooftops

Strider II SMS, Stage 5.png

Strider II SMS, Stage 5 Boss 1.png

Strider II SMS, Stage 5 Boss 2.png

  • Strider II SMS, Stage 5.png

  • Strider II SMS, Stage 5 Boss 1.png

  • Strider II SMS, Stage 5 Boss 2.png

Master's Lair

History

Legacy

Even though game received average to positive reviews when it was first released, today Strider II is considered the black sheep of the series. Many fans consider Strider II to be a poorly done imitation of the original due to fundamentally flawed level designs, lackluster story, and bad gameplay plagued with intense slowdowns. Capcom released their own internally developed Strider 2 to arcades in 1999 and has removed the Western-developed Strider II from the Strider canon.

Magazine articles

Main article: Strider II/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in (US) #15: "October/November 1993" (1993-xx-xx)
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Mega Drive print advert in (FR) #23: "Septembre 1993" (1993-0x-xx)
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Print advert in (ES) #5: "Agosto 1993" (1993-0x-xx)
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Mega Drive print advert in (SE) #1993-06: "6/93" (1993-09-30)
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Artwork

  • StriderII Art Cover.jpg

Physical scans

Mega Drive version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
(RU)
50
[13]
(DE)
67
[14]
(FR)
91
[15]
(UK) PAL
50
[16]
(US) NTSC-U
68
[17]
(UK)
72
[18]
(IT) PAL
39
[19]
(FR) PAL
73
[20]
(UK) PAL
44
[21]
(FR)
86
[22]
(DE) PAL
57
[23]
(FR) PAL
69
[24]
(BR)
100
[25]
(UK) PAL
53
[26]
(UK) PAL
82
[27]
(SE)
86
[28]
(UK) PAL
83
[29]
(RU)
74
[30]
(DE) PAL
77
[31]
(US) NTSC-U
70
[32]
Sega Mega Drive
 70
Based on
20 reviews

Strider II

Mega Drive, US
StriderII MD US Box.jpg
Cover
Striderii md us cart.jpg
Cart
Strider II MD US Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, EU
StriderII MD EU Box.jpg
Cover
StriderII MD EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Strider II MD EU Manual.jpg
Manual
Mega Drive, SE (rental; Hent; orange)
StriderII MD SE rental cover.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, AU

Master System version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
(FR) PAL
84
[33]
(UK) PAL
70
[34]
(ES)
70
[35]
(FR)
75
[36]
(FR) PAL
69
[37]
(UK) PAL
58
[38]
(UK) PAL
75
[39]
(UK) PAL
75
[40]
(UK) PAL
79
[41]
(UK) PAL
75
[42]
(GR) PAL
70
[43]
(DE) PAL
20
[44]
Sega Master System
 68
Based on
12 reviews

Strider II

Master System, EU
StriderII SMS EU Box.jpg
Cover
StriderII SMS EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Strider II SMS EU Manual.pdf
Manual
Master System, AU
StriderII SMS AU cover.jpg
Cover
StriderII SMS AU cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, BR
StriderII SMS BR Box.jpg
Cover
StriderII SMS BR Cart.jpg
Cart

Game Gear version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
(IT) PAL
81
[45]
(UK) PAL
68
[11]
(US) NTSC-U
70
[46]
(US) NTSC-U
70
[47]
(US) NTSC-U
75
[48]
(FR)
83
[49]
(FR) PAL
72
[50]
(UK) PAL
76
[51]
(DE) PAL
20
[52]
(US) NTSC-U
70
[53]
Sega Game Gear
 69
Based on
10 reviews

Strider II

Game Gear, US
StriderII GG US Box Back.jpgNospine.pngStriderII GG US Box Front.jpg
Cover
StriderReturns GG US Cart.jpg
Cart
Strider II GG US Manual.pdf
Manual
Game Gear, EU
StriderReturns GG EU Box Back.jpgStrider II MD EU BoxSpine.jpgStriderII GG EU Box Front.jpg
Cover
StriderReturns GG EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Strider II MD EU EURO Manual.jpg
Manual
Game Gear, EU (Kixx)
Strider II MD EU EURO KIXX BoxBack.jpgStrider II MD EU EURO KIXX BoxSpine.jpgStriderII GG EU Box Front Kixx.jpg
Cover
StriderReturns GG EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Strider II MD EU EURO Manual.jpg
Manual
Game Gear, PT
StriderII GG PT Box Front.jpg
Cover
StriderReturns GG EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Strider II MD PT Manual.jpg
Manual
Strider II MD EU EURO Manual.jpg
EU Manual

Technical information

Main article: Strider II/Technical information.

References

  1. ↑ File:StriderReturns GG EU Box Back.jpg
  2. ↑ GamePro, "July 1993" (US; 1993-xx-xx), page 56
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Sega Force, "March 1993" (UK; 1993-02-04), page 39
  4. ↑ Sega Pro, "July 1993" (UK; 1993-06-10), page 18
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Sega Pro, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-13), page 22
  6. ↑ Sega Zone, "March 1993" (UK; 1993-02-11), page 21
  7. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (DE; 1993-03-26), page 23
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 File:GamePro US 051.pdf
  9. ↑ Sega Power, "August 1993" (UK; 1993-07-01), page 13
  10. ↑ Sega Pro, "December 1993" (UK; 1993-11-11), page 107
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Computer & Video Games, "March 1993 (Go! Issue 17)" (UK; 1993-02-15), page 20
  12. ↑ File:Strider II MD US Manual.pdf, page 2
  13. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 294
  14. ↑ Aktueller Software Markt, "Dezember 1993" (DE; 1993-11-08), page 160
  15. ↑ Consoles +, "Juin 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 100
  16. ↑ Electric Brain, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-26), page 36
  17. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "October 1993" (US; 1993-xx-xx), page 40
  18. ↑ Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 98
  19. ↑ Game Power, "Settembre 1993" (IT; 1993-0x-xx), page 89
  20. ↑ Joypad, "Juin 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 86
  21. ↑ Mega, "February 1993" (UK; 1993-01-21), page 46
  22. ↑ Mega Force, "Juin 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 82
  23. ↑ Mega Fun, "08/93" (DE; 1993-07-21), page 76
  24. ↑ Player One, "Juillet/Août 1993" (FR; 1993-07-10), page 68
  25. ↑ ProGames, "Julho 1993" (BR; 1993-0x-xx), page 18
  26. ↑ Sega Power, "August 1993" (UK; 1993-07-01), page 58
  27. ↑ Sega Pro, "August 1993" (UK; 1993-07-08), page 56
  28. ↑ Sega Force, "4/93" (SE; 1993-07-08), page 12
  29. ↑ Sega Force, "March 1993" (UK; 1993-02-04), page 38
  30. ↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 189
  31. ↑ Video Games, "11/93" (DE; 1993-10-27), page 118
  32. ↑ VideoGames, "September 1993" (US; 1993-0x-xx), page 46
  33. ↑ Consoles +, "Mai 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 142
  34. ↑ Digitiser (UK) (1993-05-07)
  35. ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Enero 1993" (ES; 199x-xx-xx), page 54
  36. ↑ Mega Force, "Mai 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 96
  37. ↑ Player One, "Mai/Juin 1993" (FR; 1993-05-10), page 98
  38. ↑ Sega Power, "March 1993" (UK; 1993-02-04), page 58
  39. ↑ Sega Pro, "March 1993" (UK; 1993-02-11), page 28
  40. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 72
  41. ↑ Sega Zone, "March 1993" (UK; 1993-02-11), page 20
  42. ↑ Sega Force, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-04-01), page 74
  43. ↑ User, "Septémvrios 1993" (GR; 1993-0x-xx), page 57
  44. ↑ Video Games, "2/93" (DE; 1993-01-27), page 105
  45. ↑ Console Mania, "Febbraio 1994" (IT; 1994-0x-xx), page 107
  46. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "October 1993" (US; 1993-xx-xx), page 44
  47. ↑ GamePro, "October 1993" (US; 1993-xx-xx), page 141
  48. ↑ Game Informer, "September/October 1993" (US; 1993-0x-xx), page 60
  49. ↑ Mega Force, "Janvier 1994" (FR; 1994-01-08), page 124
  50. ↑ Player One, "Janvier 1994" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 118
  51. ↑ Sega Master Force, "Autumn 1993" (UK; 1993-09-16), page 36
  52. ↑ Video Games, "3/94" (DE; 1994-02-23), page 103
  53. ↑ VideoGames, "September 1993" (US; 1993-0x-xx), page 64


Strider II

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