Strider 2 comes with Strider 1 on a bonus disc. I will not review it in full because I'm reviewing Strider 2, just look at the title of the review, Ha. However, I will say that it is much more frustrating as were all games of its time. It had no shining features to set it apart from any other game. I even has limited continues, *gasp* The Horror!

Now, Strider 2 . . . Buy this game immediately, but don't play it yet, wait. Wait until the princess is in yet another castle, wait until Sagat is laughing over your dead body, again, wait until you run out of Rush Jet, until your batteries die, until you forgot to save, can't make the jump, can't solve the puzzle, can't find the last tag, coin, or star, until you hear the words "La Li Lu Le Lo" or "Master of Unlocking," wait until you get so angry at every video game you own that if you die one more time you'll go GTA3 on the first person you can find, then play.

Play, and play, and play. Beat the game, then again, then with a new character, with your eyes closed, with your feet, upside down, with a fox, in a box. Shed tears of joy as you die with impunity, as continues flow like wine and you come back exactly where you were killed. Throw yourself off a cliff, then do it again, laughing merrily as you lose nothing, for that is the beauty of this game.

Strider 2 could have been marketed as a 20 minute self-esteem builder for video gamers. It could have had 2-hour info-mercial on TV at 3:00 in the morning where they beat the game 5 or 6 times. It could have had a glorious premiere as the game to restore faith in gaming, but it didn't. It was released quietly, purchased only by fans of the original (which comes on a bonus disc) who wept at the sight of their old friend. The price dropped in a matter of days and any remaining copies were overlooked for the millionth installment of Megaman or Street Fighter. Pardon me, *sniffle* I must go comfort Strider . . .

What I liked: How easy it is. Regardless of the unlimited continues, this game is a joke. You could play with your ear and finish in under 45 minutes. But that is why it is such a great game. Too many games are too hard these days, or have a steep learning curve, but Strider 2 is a piece of cake from the start. I really liked the art, too. Strider is just the coolest guy around and he really looks the part.

What I disliked: . . . um . . . nothing? I, honestly can't think of anything. Some people have called it too easy but I put that in the "liked" section. Well, that's all I got.

What to expect: The great thing about this game is that no one expects anything of it. Capcom, as usual, merely gave Strider a makeover, but it worked wonders. Fans of the original know what to expect and will get it. The same bosses, even that cool gravity thing, are at the end of the stages. Newcomers shouldn't expect much for gameplay: 20 - 30 minutes of mindless slashing, unlimited continues, and minimal plot. There is some spectacular art between stages, though. Also, you get a copy of the original Strider for free.

What not to expect: GAME OVER, you'll only see this if you forget to continue. Also, don't expect anything revolutionary, or even new out of this game, as I said, it is simply an update of the first.

What is different from other games of the genre: Unlimited continues. It seems small but it adds a lot. Other than that, Strider 2 is the same as everything else.

Ratings on:

Graphics- 5 - Sprites on a 3D background. Wow, save your applause until the end.

Sound- 4 - Imagine 20 minutes of: "ha ha huh ha fwing fwing fwing fwing."

Control- 7 - It's not special but it is very responsive.

Style- 6 - Nothing new, but Strider sure is cool.

1st hour - 8

5th hour - 8

1st week - 8

2nd week - 8

1st month - 8

#1 reason why I hate this game: Hi, I'm Strider Hiryu and I will slash you 10 billion times, ha ha huh ha huh fwing fwing huh fwing ha ha fwing fwing ha huh . . .

Oh yeah and Who do YOU think will win?

Reviewed by: Sundu