Strider
System: SMS
Release Date: June 1991
Developer: Tiertex Design Studios
Publisher: Sega
Genre: Action
Nobody goes against the Master, except Strider! Grand Master Meio sits aboard the Third Moon as a devastating extra-terrestrial invasion is underway on Earth. The last line of defense are the Striders, of which you belong. As Hiryu, you must go through five levels of action to make it to the Third Moon and put an end to the evil alien machinations once and for all!
Right off the bat, you can see that this is an attempt to demake the Genesis version of Strider to the 8-bit Master System. The levels are laid out similarly, but there’s a lot less going on at any given time. Hiryu is still quite acrobatic, but it looks chunky and janky with the lack of frames of animation. The number of powerups have been whittled down to one option and a health recovery. The option zooms around and shoots when you swing your sword.
Levels are quite linear. You need to run and jump and slash as you move through each level. You can’t take too long at all, because there is a timer counting down that will be your greatest enemy. When it hits zero, you’re dead. It resets to 99 as you hit certain checkpoints and there was more than once I got to these checkpoints or the end of a level with 1 second left on the clock. (31:15) There’s no reason to explore levels, as I didn’t find any hidden powerups, so just get to the end.
Bosses are straight from the Genesis version, but they are handled much differently and are generally easier. The giant centipede boss can be defeated by standing on the left of the screen and slashing away, no riding him this time around. The Ape is a simple slash and duck. The gravity ball was much easier with less projectiles. The end boss of the jungle requires full life and precise timing to take him out. The final battle against the Master requires some jump attacks and a quick trigger finger, but when you beat him, you save the Earth… or was it all a simulation?
Graphics: 2.0
The lack of animation frames and overall low framerate is a killer to playability.
Sound: 2.0
8-bit versions of what sounded pretty good on the Genesis.
Gameplay: 1.5
Enemies in levels are sparse, but deadly. That timer is the most dangerous enemy.
Difficulty: 1.5
I don’t think you’re given enough lives to get through legitimately, but I probably could have gotten to the 4th level boss with full lives if I tried again.
Fun Factor: 1.5
For what it is, it’s alright, but it’s barren and slow, and not really great.
Overall Rating: 1.7
Strider earns a C-. If you only had a Master System, this is a fine addition, but if you had a Genesis, this is a huge downgrade.