Strider

80%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,611 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • story
Strider Game Cover
Whatever minor flaws Strider might have are very well hidden amongst exciting gameplay, great platforming, and epic boss battles.
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Strider Hiryu, a legendary assassin, returns in a new game to face off against the Grand Master Meio. Players can utilize a variety of moves and weapons, along with Hiryu's indestructible plasma-charged cypher, to combat different enemies throughout an interconnected game world. With a focus on speed and agility, players can jump, climb, and run through the expansive environment while engaging enemies in unique and challenging combat scenarios.

  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station 3
  • Xbox
  • Xbox 360
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

80%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,611 reviews
gameplay196 positive mentions
optimization14 negative mentions
  • Fast-paced and fluid combat that makes you feel like a badass ninja.
  • Gorgeous graphics and a vibrant art style that enhances the gameplay experience.
  • Engaging exploration with plenty of collectibles and upgrades to find.
  • Frequent crashes and technical issues that disrupt gameplay.
  • Lack of enemy variety and repetitive boss fights that can become tedious.
  • Poorly designed save and checkpoint system that can lead to frustrating backtracking.
  • gameplay552 mentions

    The gameplay of Strider is widely praised for its fast-paced, fluid mechanics and engaging combat, reminiscent of classic arcade titles while incorporating modern metroidvania elements. Players appreciate the balance between challenge and control, with a variety of upgrades and abilities that enhance the experience, although some criticize the linearity of exploration and occasional bland enemy design. Overall, the game successfully combines nostalgia with contemporary gameplay, making it a fun and satisfying experience for fans of the genre.

    • “The pace and speed of the gameplay, combined with the sheer multitude and variety of enemies, the well-crafted and inventive boss fights, and the mass of upgrades, abilities, and attacks available to Hiryu, this game makes for one of the best gaming experiences that I have ever had.”
    • “The gameplay is probably this game's strongest point as your character from the very start feels nimble and acrobatic, with a satisfying combat that makes you feel like you're controlling an actual ninja... and all of this can be enhanced by you exploring the map for upgrades.”
    • “Strider is a fantastic game if you like the metroid-vania style of gameplay.”
    • “Metroidvania style gameplay is just total garbage when everywhere you go looks the god damn same.”
    • “Gameplay is boring and tedious, level design is awful, all fights are a waste of time as you charge slash things to death.”
    • “Finish bullshit final level room, beat bullshit final boss after mid game decide to stop after it says checkpoint and i try fighting the ultra final boss a couple gos round, have to redo the whole thing, its a mid ass game not worth time or money or really anything, the story is weak, the gameplay bland and done better by a bunch of other games, idek why i pushed towards the end of it, maybe its some sort of sick buyers remorse, either way dont buy.”
  • graphics430 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received generally positive feedback, with many praising the vibrant and stylized visuals that blend modern 3D elements with retro aesthetics. While some users noted minor issues such as color limitations and performance on certain hardware, the overall production quality, including fluid animations and detailed environments, has been highlighted as a strong point. The game's art design successfully captures the essence of the original while providing a visually appealing experience that enhances the fast-paced gameplay.

    • “The graphics are vivid and attractive, the music fits the tone perfectly across the different types of levels, and the controls are tight and responsive, much more so than its aforementioned predecessors.”
    • “Fast-paced action and flashy visuals give this game a nice touch.”
    • “The graphics are excellent just about everywhere, and never less than really good when it stumbles.”
    • “I'm not trying to knock new Strider for a shift in genre, I just think it's an aesthetic step down from the original.”
    • “The bad: it's a broken piece of software with out of bounds glitches everywhere, crap enemy variety, graphics are devoid of color and sound design is poor.”
    • “Was a little let down by the low quality of the graphics, but the action more than made up for it.”
  • story375 mentions

    The story in "Strider" is generally regarded as minimalistic and straightforward, often described as a simple retelling of the original game's plot with a focus on action rather than narrative depth. While some players appreciate the nostalgic callbacks and the vague lore that encourages discussion, many criticize the plot for being cliché, lacking character development, and featuring poor voice acting. Overall, the gameplay is prioritized over storytelling, making it enjoyable for those seeking fast-paced action rather than a compelling narrative.

    • “After that, I played an emulation of the arcade version, and then in December 2022, I bought the 2014 Strider. I firmly believe that this is truly what Strider was always meant to be, without any constraints or limitations, just pure, heart-pounding action from start to finish, but still with an underlying story that is sparse enough so as not to interrupt the action, but present enough that you don't lose sight of the ultimate goal.”
    • “In addition, the story is just vague enough that it can bring players together in discussions about different theories and fan fiction, but still present enough that you don't lose sight of the ultimate goal.”
    • “Another excellent aspect of Strider is all of the callbacks and Easter eggs from the old games, and beyond their mere presence, that they actually tie into the story of the game and make sense and are explained therein, rather than being just for the sake of nostalgia like so many other games of today.”
    • “The story is pretty generic and the voice acting ranges from 'Mega Man 8' to 'mediocre', but I doubt anyone's considering this game for the amazing story and the gripping cutscenes.”
    • “The story in this game is quite literally non-existent.”
    • “The story was really weak, but it's not a story-centric game.”
  • music258 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its energetic and nostalgic remixes of classic Strider tracks, which enhance the fast-paced gameplay. However, some players find the soundtrack to be forgettable or lacking in memorability, describing it as merely functional rather than spectacular. Overall, while the music fits the game's atmosphere well, opinions vary on its impact and quality, with some calling it "great" and others deeming it "mid" or "generic."

    • “The graphical style has aged pretty gracefully too, and the soundtrack is stunning.”
    • “The music is amazing, and is a perfect mix of new and retro, blending in some of the classic tracks from the NES version of the game, while not overpowering the soundtrack with chiptune nonsense.”
    • “As mentioned earlier, the music pumps you up and gets you hyped, especially if you played any of the older Strider games, with old songs being remixed to fit the cyber-dystopia setting of the game.”
    • “The music is the worst part of the game; it's some insipid techno music that vaguely copies some melodic segment from the original music, but the whole thing is so mediocre it's barely noticeable.”
    • “The OST for this game is pretty mid in my opinion, as most of the tracks serve as ambient for the levels, and the sound of your unadulterated carnage will most likely overlap all the music in the game.”
    • “Monotonous, with terrible music to boot.”
  • replayability80 mentions

    Replayability in the game is a mixed bag; while some players find it highly enjoyable with plenty of collectibles, challenges, and higher difficulty modes that encourage multiple playthroughs, others feel that once the main story is completed, the incentive to replay diminishes significantly. Many reviews highlight the presence of secrets and leaderboards for speedrunning as factors that enhance replay value, but some players express disappointment over the lack of depth and additional content post-completion. Overall, the game offers a decent level of replayability, particularly for completionists and those who enjoy competitive play.

    • “Give Hiryu a run as the original Strider badass; you'll spend hours trying to get all the extra stuff and revisiting levels to do so. Lots of replay value.”
    • “Packed with replay value and areas to explore, Strider is not only smooth and responsive, it's addictive!”
    • “Plenty of secrets to discover to give it great replayability, as well as leaderboards for those that enjoy speedrunning.”
    • “No replay value after it's beaten though.”
    • “My only gripe is there is really no replayability unless you are trying to do speed runs. Once you unlock everything and finish the main story, that is it. I guess that isn't a bad thing per se; I just felt that perhaps there could be challenge levels or even a level editor to it.”
    • “However, the far more egregious issue with the game is the lack of depth to incentivize more replayability beyond the difficulty settings.”
  • optimization50 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received significant criticism, with users reporting issues such as lag, stuttering, and crashes, particularly related to invasive DRM that hampers performance and modding capabilities. While some players have experienced smooth gameplay, many others struggle to achieve consistent frame rates, leading to frustration and disappointment. Overall, the game's technical performance appears to be inconsistent and problematic, detracting from an otherwise engaging experience.

    • “The effects and details are of high quality for the time, with minimal negative impact (or at times no negative impact) on overall performance.”
    • “The game is fast-paced, very well optimized, has a great soundtrack, looks fantastic, and is packed with content.”
    • “Also one of my favorites in Marvel vs Capcom... this game is awesome in every way - not just as fan service, but it is a great game with solid controls and a slick, clean presentation with Capcom's legendary optimization.”
    • “Sadly, technical optimization issues and lack of any native controller support for certain types of controllers really causes frustration and bogs down what could have been another banger in the franchise.”
    • “What we legitimate buyers are left with is lag, stuttering, slowdown, and in some cases, games that won't start at all.”
    • “It pains me greatly to write this review.... but this game is optimized like total garbage.”
  • stability50 mentions

    The game is plagued by significant stability issues, including frequent crashes, freezing, and various glitches that disrupt gameplay. Players report a frustrating experience with autosave points and out-of-bounds errors, making progress difficult. While some users have not encountered major problems, the overall consensus highlights a need for urgent patches to address these persistent bugs.

    • “Everything runs smoothly and efficiently on 32-bit systems.”
    • “The game performs exceptionally well, showcasing great stability across various setups.”
    • “Brand new Windows 10 computer, updated drivers, did all the troubleshooting I could read up on and still constant crashes.”
    • “It is really hard to make any progress in this game because most of the save points appear to be checkpoints that are wiped as soon as you are forced to close the game because it freezes randomly every 10-30 minutes of play time.”
    • “Most of the time though, it is a constant battle; I spend more than an hour on occasions launching the game only to see nothing (black screen), so ctrl+alt+del end task, or it launches, I make it to the main menu, it tells me this game autosaves, marvelous, and freezes there.”
  • grinding31 mentions

    The reviews highlight a mixed experience with grinding in the game, where exploration and backtracking can be rewarding but often feel tedious due to poor level design and a lack of fast travel options. Many players find the gameplay repetitive and the final boss encounters frustratingly drawn out, while some appreciate the exploration elements that avoid becoming overly tedious. Overall, the game struggles with balancing engaging gameplay and the monotony of grinding.

    • “Horrible tedious mob rush into crash with no checkpoint.”
    • “It got very tedious, very quickly.”
    • “Gameplay is boring and tedious, level design is awful, all fights are a waste of time as you charge slash things to death.”
  • atmosphere26 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its deep and immersive qualities, enhanced by a strong orchestral and rock soundtrack, as well as detailed 2D art and backgrounds. While some players find the oppressive atmosphere off-putting and the automated announcements repetitive, many appreciate the humor and nostalgic elements that contribute to a satisfying experience. Overall, the combination of sound design, visual aesthetics, and engaging gameplay creates a compelling atmosphere that resonates with fans of the original Strider Hiryu games.

    • “Very atmospheric sound design and a very good orchestral/rock soundtrack.”
    • “Solid platforming, tight controls, very atmospheric and humorous Saturday morning cartoon-esque dialogue.”
    • “Stays faithful to one of my all-time favorites, the original Strider, and I really love the atmosphere, the story as well as that old school gameplay. Best game I've played in a long, long time!”
    • “The created oppressing atmosphere isn't for me either.”
    • “The automated announcements that provide strong atmosphere at first get incredibly repetitive after a short time.”
    • “- atmosphere”
  • humor14 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by its lighthearted, cartoonish dialogue and absurd scenarios, such as the protagonist's nonchalant attitude and the amusingly poor cutscene animations. Players find the comedic elements, including the intentionally bad story and quirky voiceovers, to enhance the overall experience, making it feel like a humorous Saturday morning cartoon. Despite some technical limitations, the humor remains a standout feature, providing hours of entertainment.

    • “It's hilarious how this guy doesn't give a shit outside of being a ninja.”
    • “Solid platforming, tight controls, very atmospheric and humorous Saturday morning cartoon-esque dialogue.”
    • “Looking around all over the map provided hours of entertainment in itself, and the story leading you on a linear trek before that was hilariously bad.”
  • character development12 mentions

    Character development in the game is notably lacking, with a barebones story that feels reminiscent of a Saturday morning cartoon. The player character, Strider Hiryu, remains stoic and silent, while other characters do not experience any growth or depth throughout the roughly 6-8 hour gameplay. Despite the strong art direction and appealing character designs, the absence of meaningful character arcs detracts from the overall narrative experience.

    • “The art direction, helmed by Strider 2's character designer, is strong and substantive, providing a familiar look to the characters while updating them in new and visually interesting ways.”
    • “Hiryu and really all character design looks great; bosses are interesting.”
    • “Art style holds up; character designs are not as iconic as the MVC era anime Strider.”
    • “Though this game is without its flaws, the story is pretty barebones by itself and feels like it's from a Saturday morning cartoon with the characters going pretty hammy on their dialogues...except for the player character, Strider Hiryu, who stays pretty stoic and silent throughout the game and only speaks when necessary. None of the characters you'll meet will have any character development throughout your roughly 6-8 hour journey.”
    • “No character development, reason for why anything is happening, or whatever.”
    • “Story lacks character development.”
  • monetization4 mentions

    Reviews highlight significant dissatisfaction with the game's monetization practices, criticizing the company for prioritizing microtransactions and skin sales over community modding support. Additionally, there are complaints about misleading claims regarding full controller compatibility.

    • “Do not support this anti-consumer company; they want to destroy modding to sell you skins and microtransactions!”
    • “The monetization strategy is heavily focused on microtransactions, which detracts from the overall experience.”
    • “It's frustrating to see a game that could be great being held back by aggressive monetization tactics.”
  • emotional4 mentions

    The game evokes strong emotional responses, particularly highlighted by a poignant ending that resonates deeply with players, often leaving them in tears. Despite some reservations about the developer's future releases, the emotional impact of the game is a significant factor that sets it apart.

    • “The ending made me shed a tear and is what really sets the game apart.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

81% average critic score

Buy Strider

Play time

12hMedian play time
11hAverage play time
5hMain story
14hCompletionist
9-15hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 14 analyzed playthroughs

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