Strider Returns Journey From Darkness - Amiga vs Megadrive?

[Edmond Dantes]

So guys.

Yesterday, I wound up watching some dude's review of Strider Returns and it reminded me of something: Someone, somewhere (not the guy I linked to), once wrote that the Amiga version is significantly better and that part of this game's bad rep is the more well-known Megadrive/Genesis version.

Since I know there are Amiga players here, I gotta ask if there's much, if any, truth to that?

As for that video I linked, the dude said that basically "its a decent game if you can get over that it feels nothing like the original Strider." Thoughts on that?

Thanks.

[Ruldra]

If you're gonna play Strider Returns, I really recommend switching to the original sword. The new one is terrible and I'd say it's the main reason the reviewer struggled so much to reach the end.

I played it to completion and honestly, the game is nothing special. You're not really missing out if you decide to skip it.

[BrianC]

I heard the Amiga version is worse. It actually has a part where Strider Hiryu transforms into a robot.

[BIL]

As for that video I linked, the dude said that basically "its a decent game if you can get over that it feels nothing like the original Strider." Thoughts on that?

I left him on in the background and perked up when he called Strider 2's sword "brainless," so I watched his review of that game instead. Textbook "infinite credits" ignorance ensued and I was about to write him off entirely, but I'm glad I didn't! For he did concede that - if you enjoy learning to play decently - the game does have merit. Actually he called it amazing or fantastic or something, but it's the principle that matters.

verdict: as with most random internet people I wouldn't trust this dude with a cup of fuckin coffee. But he's not totally clueless either! I would have to emulate the Amiga+MD games to determine whether the former truly has been wrongly slandered. I don't care though. Got gross vibes from the whole project right from the earliest magazine previews, and cool people like Ruldra never seem to like any of its various incarnations.

The first game's checkpoints really do help its image with casual players who'd surely "beat it in ten minutes" otherwise... and I suppose its generally low difficulty helps stave off the other half of the classic arcade catch-22, "THIS GAME IMPOSSIBLE." There's probably something useful there.

[TransatlanticFoe]

All versions are generally more methodical in gameplay which is in stark contrast to the original, which I think is where much of the hate comes from. But the Mega Drive version is legitimately bad - I love the SMS version and gave the MD one a shot, but the control was terrible and you could barely move without being swamped by enemies.

The SMS version is actually a good game. It mostly takes from the Amiga version (without the weird robot transformations) but lifts some elements of the stages (and the wasp boss) from the Mega Drive version. Fewer enemies on screen means you can play it at a faster pace (none of the crippling slowdown that plagued the appalling SMS port of the original). I rather liked the inclusion of midbosses in the first two stages, so it was a shame there weren't any in the next two - and those two stage bosses themselves were variations on "big sprite that fires homing missiles".

[BrianC]

All versions are generally more methodical in gameplay which is in stark contrast to the original, which I think is where much of the hate comes from. But the Mega Drive version is legitimately bad - I love the SMS version and gave the MD one a shot, but the control was terrible and you could barely move without being swamped by enemies.

The SMS version is actually a good game. It mostly takes from the Amiga version (without the weird robot transformations) but lifts some elements of the stages (and the wasp boss) from the Mega Drive version. Fewer enemies on screen means you can play it at a faster pace (none of the crippling slowdown that plagued the appalling SMS port of the original). I rather liked the inclusion of midbosses in the first two stages, so it was a shame there weren't any in the next two - and those two stage bosses themselves were variations on "big sprite that fires homing missiles".

I remember a review of the GG version back in the day (in Video Games and Computer Entertainment) that said pretty much the same thing about the control being better than the Genesis/MD version. I'm not sure of the GG version is the same as SMS, but I'm guessing it's similar.

[Edmond Dantes]

The first game's checkpoints really do help its image with casual players who'd surely "beat it in ten minutes" otherwise... and I suppose its generally low difficulty helps stave off the other half of the classic arcade catch-22, "THIS GAME IMPOSSIBLE." There's probably something useful there.

One nice touch I do love with the original Strider is how the demo screens display the level name and a message saying "nobody has ever beaten this stage."

[BIL]

Haha, yeah! I never figured out if it meant "nobody currently" (ie waiting for scores), or if it was just flat-out taunting anyone nearby.

Reminds me of Ikari II's booming intro sample.

WARRIORS!

SHOW SOME GUTS!

YOU CAN'T BEAT ME!

BAAAAAAHAHAHAHAAAAAA