An amazing video game, but a terrible first game to review....
Forgive me for the 5 star rating. Lets face it, if you're reading this, you've already seen those stars there, so you already know what to expect. Mindless praise. But hear me out- I really didn't want this.
This is my first review and my first desire is to create the impresion of myself as a highly critical games reviewer who isn't easily impressed and always desires more. I want to be seen as a reviewer that aknowledges that is no such thing as 'perfection' and succesfully overcomes nostalgia.
This is why it is very difficult for me to review Streets of Rage 2. I want to use basic logic to justify my opinions. And I do. But by doing so with this particular game, the attempt isn't noticiable. Some (usually sub-conciously) believe that there is much credibility going with being critical of nostalgia or popular games. Unfortunatly for these people (which I must confess includes myself) these games are most often deserving of the praise they get. Streets of Rage 2 is one of those games.
Streets of Rage 2, Sega's classic beat-em-up is the pinnacle of its genre.
Graphically the game is a giantic leap from SOR1. By utlising extra cartiridge memory, its nearly impossible to tell that only one year seperated the releases of the two game. In fact, it may be difficult to tell that they even appeared on the same console. The sprites are large, detailed with the characters themselves being very well designed. Granted, Axel's white T-shirt and the moheken bearing punks may not scream originality, but they are presented flawlessly. Thats not to say the character roster is generic, you'll be fighting Robots and gigantic swimsuit wearing boxers. The stages are varied and never rely on repetiton like so many other games of any genre during the 16 bit era.
The gameplay engine robust, deep (for a 16 bit beat-em-up at least) and solid. Just as with the original, colliding with an enemy allows you to grab them. I've always found close-up situations universally awkard in beat-em-ups. SORs grab system (I don't believe it was ever given a name) avoids that problem. Granted, Fight Final had an almost identical feature, but being able to flip to the other side of your enemy adds a lot of variation. Honestly. You can instantly seperate someone who has never played the game before from a veteren by observing whether or not they knee twice before throwing. Its hard to sell the gameplay of, lets face it, one of the most simple game genres to exist.
The police specials are gone. Instead, your special button unleashes one of two attacks that cancel out any hit animations. Using it drains some life, but using it in the correct circumstances justifies the loss such as when you're getting pummelled from all angles by a bunch of punks and cyber ninjas. The special attack is now much more tatical than just rembering to 'save it for the boss'.
The playable characters much more diverse than they were in SOR1. Axel and Blaze return (Adam gets kidnapped) along with Skate and Max. Axel and Blaze could be defined as the 'basic' characters while Skate and Max stress their unbalanced stats. Max, the wrestler, cannot vault. Instead, he jumps and lifts the enemy into the air for the game's most powerful slams. A smile goes on my face whenever I pull off a super-damaging back breaker (gotta love that slamming SFX). Skate is a little kid with... skates. He is the only character than can 'run'. He has the unconventional mid-vault throw. Mustn't forget the classic 'jump on your shoulders and smash your head like a drum' attack.
Of course, SOR2 is perhaps best known for its soundtrack composed by Yuzo Koshiro. The soundtrack of SOR2 is indeed revolutionary and one of best soundtracks in the history of games. The early 90s Euro dance, electronic beats are catchy and, as unlikely as this may sound, one of key reasons you'll keep playing this game. The intro music is recycled as the final stage which I regard as the best video game theme of all time. Its the perfect tune for beating up Galsia and Donovan clones. The soudntrack of SOR2 is the reason why whenever someone claims that the Sega Megadrive had poor music due to its limited soundchip, I feel like smashing their head in with a brick. Perhaps a Megadrive would be more appropriate, but lets face it, only a brick would suffice in that situtation. Its much heavier than a Megadrive and besides, why damage a Megadrive just to make an ironic point? The sound effects have also left a lasting impression on me, but as soon as I mention 'me', we're veering into 'nostalgia' territory. Make of it as you will.
Criticisms? The lack of team up moves is noticible (co-op is the true SOR2 experience). Oh, that reminds me:
*Mysterious Bob's handy tip- You can get out of a hold by vaulting/jumping twice. When playing coop, stay on different 'levels' of the screen and if your partner is beating the crap out of someone, keep your distance and let them do their thing unless they do actually need you coming in with a heroic jump kick.*
Duel mode is pretty shallow, but lets face it- if you wanted verses gameplay you'd play a fighting game. Some say this game is to easy. Its hard to argue with this- until you remember that there are variable difficulties. Try it on mania. Its not supposed to be an ultra-challenging game. I always viewed it as a game to relax with, espcially with that incredible soundtrack to listen to as you play.
So in the end, I apologise for sounding like just another 'give everything 5 stars reviewer'. In the end though, does that even matter. I'm willing to bet the only reason you're here is that you've already played SOR2 and just wondered what my opinion is.
Well there you go. I promise, I won't be so nice in the future.
