One of the top superheroes in the Capcom universe is back to save the world. And no, it's not Megaman.
Arcade: Available Now (Japan)
Playstation: Available Now (North America)
Playstation: ??/??/2000 (Europe)
Dreamcast: Winter 2000 (Tentative)
This section of the site will bring you as much info as possible on the new and upcoming Strider sequel. If you have any info about Strider II that you can send me, please drop me an e-mail at hendric69@hotmail.com. If you have ICQ, my number is 38867169. I'll try to update this part of the site as much as possible so come back soon!
Due to the popularity of Hiryu's appearance in Marvel vs. Capcom, Capcom has already started production on a sequel to strider. The game will play like a faster version of Klonoa since it has 2D Anime characters running around in a 3D polygon environment and will function on the System 12 board. This is a Playstation compatible board, so not only will there be a Dreamcast release, but also a Playstation one!
You can download the Strider II preview in the Multimedia section.
10/13/00 - While checking up on the Capcom message board, I noticed a very logical question that had been pointed out. With Capcom finally releasing Strider 2 in North America, there is still yet to be any announcements for a European (PAL) version. It took Capcom awhile to even come out with the North American (NTSC) version, and it seemed rushed. It was still a good game, but one thing that bugged me was that it didn't have the Japanese voices in the cinemas. That's one aspect of the game that provided an Anime feel to it. Maybe the PAL version will have both English translations as well as the Japanese voices. Nevertheless, the PAL version has yet to even be released. Most likely, I'm going to try and find out when this version is going to be released and if there are any additions to it on not (most likely, there won't be). If there is anyone who knows of the PAl version's release, please contact me at hendric69@hotmail.com or on ICQ.
7/7/00 - Well, Capcom has once again pushed back Strider 2's US release. This time, it is to be released on the 18th of this month. I just hope that they don't cancel it like they were going to before...
5/20/00 - It seems that the little rumor about Strider 2 being cancelled is no more. It just got postponed and will be making it's debut in stores on June 21st! Mark your callendars kids!
5/12/00 - The US version of Strider 2 may be out of comission in stores, but you can still get the US version on the web! Click on the box cover below to pre-order your copy for it's June 21st release!
5/6/00 - There's been some buzz going on about Strider 2's Dreamcast release. According to some of the gamesites out there, Strider 2 is due out for the DC sometime around late December! You could just imagine how the game would look like...
4/21/00 - Well Strider 2's North American release has been slated for a May 5th release (unless it's delayed of course). The game will come intact and will hopefully bring back some fond memories to North American veteran gamers of the first Strider.
3/6/00 - Here's a list of places where you can buy the import version of Strider 2. These places will also most likely have the North American version of Strider 1 and 2 as well when it makes it North American release. Of course, it's always best to find the best deal, so happy hunting!
3/5/00 - Capcom USA announced that the North American version of Strider 2 will be released in May! Soon, gamers who were wating for Hiryu to make his return to America won't have to wait no more.
"The original Strider is one of the best games of all time," said Todd Thorson, director of marketing, Capcom Entertainment. "In keeping with tradition, Strider 2 retains a very similar style to that of its predecessor. But now, with enhanced character graphics, awe-inspiring 3D backgrounds and incredibly addictive game play, fans will be overjoyed with the return of Strider!". The port will be exactly the same it's Japanese counterpart, so gameplayers won't have to worry about anything being lost through the translation. More on the North American release in future updates!3/1/00 - Well, Strider 2 has come and gone. I've played the game over and over and over for about two weeks now. Not only that, but I've been playing Marvel vs. Capcom as well, so as you can tell I'm all pretty much "Strider-ed" out. I've decided to take a rest from all the game playing to give you the full lowdown on Strider 2 as well as make some corrections to some of the rumors that have been posted in this section.
A Strider Memory: Hiryu fighting against the evil Grand Master Meio.
First of all, I wanna appologize for all the people out there who were expecting Hien to be Hiryu's female partner. Hien is actually a "he". We were all so terribly decieved by Capcom since they designed Hien as a pretty boy. Well anyways, Hien ain't Hiryu's partner. He's Hiryu's rival. Hien works for Light Sword Cypher, but used to be one of the Striders who trained with Hiryu on Moralos. His Cypher is double sided and either side of the Cypher can detatch and be thrown around the screen, seeking out an enemiy and return once it's hit it's target. There is a downfall to this however, since Hien cannot hit ANY targets at close range (He can ONLY throw his Cypher blades). Once both of his blades are thrown, his attacks are useless. In terms of strength, Hien is more physically stronger than Hiryu, but still ain't as cool as Hiryu.
Hiryu squares off against Strider Hien
The cutscenes aren't in FMV like many of us were hoping for. But there are high-res Manga stills that are dubbed over in Japanese which still manage to bring in an Anime feel to the game. Hiryu's voice is dubbed by voice actor Kosuke Toriumi, who also did Hiryu's voice in Marvel vs. Capcom. Kan Tokumaru dubbs the voice of Hien, who I think also did the voice for Kyosuke in Rival Schools. I'm not sure who dubbed any of the other characters, but I'll most post the cast of voice actors once I find out.
Hiryu gets ready to finish off Grand Master Meio, once again.
The game DOES have it's down points. I've seen the arcade version at Capcom Plaza and in comparison to the PSX version, the PSX version is missing a LOT of animation frames. Most likely this is because of the Playstation's 2D capabilities. It doesn't take away from the gameplay at all, but it just seems that the home version keeps on screaming for more frames of animation. Another thing is the slowdown when you use the Boost. Sometimes the animation goes smooth when you use it, but when things get to hectic on the screen, the PSX tends to slowdown. Also, the action loses it's momentum when you fight against Hien. Other than that, there's no big slowdown (I think). Overall, this game ROCKS and breaks away from all the strange game genres like Dancing, singing, etc. and goes back to the roots of explosive action platformers. If you want to see more in-deph info on Strider 2 and it's gameplay, go check out the Strider 1 and 2 FAQ in the "Multimedia" section. Other than that, DO NOT pass this game. It's definately worth every dollar spent.2/22/00 - Here are the names for the tracks on the Strider 2 soundtrack.
1. Main Theme 2. Misson Select 3. Briefing 4. Attack on the Armed Fortress 5. Attack on the Armed Fortress (Part 2) 6. Madness in the Subway 7. The dying phrase 8. Vanish the Terrorists who inhabit the city 9. Speedy Run 10. The sky of Neo Hong Kong 11. The petting dogs 12. Secret Lab at the Extreme Pole 13. Reborn of the Ancient Living 14. The Mirror Dimension 15. The End of the Combined Creatures 16. Round Table Meeting 17. Space Battleship's Chase Attack 18. Space Battleship's Chase Attack (Part 2) 19. Duel on the escape ship 20. Nightmare 21. The Thrid Moon 22. The holy chair of GOD! 23. Mission Accomplished 24. The end of the destiny 25. Footprints 26. The End 27. Voice collection 28. SE collection 29. Fellows in arms 30. Secret Eudora 31. Coffin Thanks goes out to Cdick for this info! You're a life saver man!2/18/00 - To access the Ancient Ruins (waterfall) stage, you must finish the game once. I'm still not sure which difficulty the game must be finished on, but most likely, the condition will be that you have to finish it on either the Normal or Hard difficulties.
2/16/00 - In Japan, "DENKI Playstation Magazine" not only released TONS of info on Strider 2, but a playable demo of the game's first stage that takes place in Hong Kong! Also, there is also a tutorial demo for the game, but the demo itself does not reveal anything about the game's stoyline or characters. However, us PSX gamers are in for a real treat. Strider Hien (A new female Strider) will be a playable character and star in her own mini-game (a la "The Mercenaries" mini-game in Resident Evil 3)!
2/5/00 - Rumor has it that J-pop star, Yukie Nakama will be singing the main title theme for Strider 2. She is best known for her vocals in the main theme song of Rockman X4 and I'm not sure, but she might've also done the lyrics for Sakura's themesong in Puzzle Fighter 2 Turbo. She's pretty cute ain't she?
1/16/00 - The arcade and Playstation versions of Strider 2 will differ from each other in multitudes of ways that favor the Playstation version more than it's arcade counterpart. A new waterfall level will be included in the PSX version. No news yet on whether this is some sort of bonus stage or an actual stage.
11/15/99 - It looks like Hiryu's going to be fighting more than just Light Sword Cypher in his upcoming action adventure! In Hong Kong, many of the richer citezens have created an upper district making the lower district a slum. However, there is a bigger problem than this. Triads (The Chinese Mofia) control certain amounts of both districts through their many methods of organized crime. Hiryu's job is to go to Hong Kong and rid of any Triad or Terrorist activity.
11/11/99 - Strider 2 has been confirmed for a Japanese release on the Playstation! No word on it having a North American release as of yet. The game will contain 2 CD's consisting of Strider 2 and the first Strider. A little collectible for any Strider fan!
9/6/99 - I'll just give you the lowdown on what has been said about Strider II so far. Due to the popularity of Hiryu's appearance in Marvel vs. Capcom, Capcom has already started production on a sequel. The game will play like a faster version of Klonoa since it has 2D Anime characters running around in a 3D polygon environment, but the character designs don't look like they are done by Capcom's lead Manga artist, Akiman. However, Hiryu will be keeping the same look which was made for him by Akiman in Marvel vs. Capcom! Not much is known about the plot, but I'll try to get a small synosis on that as soon as I can.