streets of rage 2 review
Streets of Rage IIIt was necessary to wait a year, before seeing a sequel to this good old beat'em all that was Streets of Rage since the second part will be released in 1992 under the name of Streets of Rage 2. But the wait will not have not been in vain since even if the game takes up most of the content of the first part, the cartridge still has a lot of significant innovations. So we take the same and start over? Well no, well, not quite.
Since we have to talk about the novelties of the second opus of Sega, let's start by pointing out a difference in the name. Indeed, even if the game is better known as Streets of Rage 2, it was possible to find it under the name of Bare Knucle 2 depending on the version (Japanese, US or European). The story of the game takes place a year after Adam, Axel and Blaze defeated the crime syndicate and his boss Mister X. By some unknown miracle, Mister X returns and he is determined to put the points back on the i. He'll even start by kidnapping Adam. The trio therefore finds itself without one of its members, but fortunately two newcomers will lend them a hand: Max, a wrestler friend of Axel, and Adam's little brother, Skate. First novelty therefore since it will no longer be three characters who will be available in this game, but four.
We also note that the menu is now clearer when selecting the character. For each fighter, there is a small detailed description of his skills. Strength, technique, speed, jump and endurance are symbolized by small stars. Before getting to the heart of the matter and talking about the levels, it is good to point out another little rather pleasant novelty: the presence before each start of the course of small cut-scenes. These are only images with text but we must admit that it has its small effect. Just like the first Streets of Rage, when you start a level the first thing that strikes you is obviously the soundtrack. Yuzo Koshiro has indeed put the cover and serves us music even more advanced than in the first opus in the series. It should also be noted an undeniable sound improvement since Streets of Rage 2 fully exploits the sound chip of the Megadrive in particular with its music but also with the sound effects and the digitized voices of the characters and enemies of the game. Again, the title uses the same pattern than its predecessor: special background music at each level, as well as special music for all bosses (except for a variant for the end boss, as was already the case for the first Streets of Rage.)
The levels are also based on the same architecture as its predecessor: they are once again eight in number and all end with a boss. That said, we must admit that the environments are more varied than in the first Streets of Rage, but they are also longer since they are divided into several places. For example, in the first level, we start on the street and then enter a bar and finish in a backyard. Finally, there is also the presence of some interesting little staging according to the levels. We thus find an enemy lying on a bench, rising at the last moment to take us by surprise, thugs coming out of manhole covers, others who are capable of throwing grenades or who move by motorbike, a room in prey to the flames ... All this was not present in the first episode and contributes to the interest of this sequel.
The gameplay also welcomes some new features. Indeed, even if the handling remains unchanged, it is improved by several aspects. We note that the range of movements is more extensive with new attacks available to the player. The characters are endowed with more possibilities of action. For example, you can run with Skate by pressing the left or right button twice. Another novelty, and not the least, the only special attack of the first episode having disappeared (the call to the police force), each character has in return a special attack of its own: Axel strikes many punches fast to his opponents, Max performs a few catch catches, Blaze launches a fireball, and finally Skate turns on his head. You will still need to use them sparingly since these attacks, as devastating as they are, will take your life. If we are not careful, the life gauge can quickly be reduced. It is therefore a double-edged sword that the player now holds in his hands. Last little detail, it is now possible to launch the weapons that we will have picked up directly on the enemies when we could only do it with the knives to launch in the first episode.
Finally, there is a clear improvement in terms of graphics, whether in terms of playable characters, enemies or decorations. Indeed, the playable characters are better modeled and have many special characteristics: Blaze and Axel are larger, while Skate will be smaller and Max more robust. The enemies as well as the bosses are more varied, even if we find a good number of enemies from the first Streets of Rage. We go from the big Bibendum to the ninja wielding the saber, to the Thai boxer, or even to the whipping clown and his kangaroo. Finally, the sets are more detailed, more detailed and more varied: we stroll through the streets, an amusement park, a baseball stadium or even an arcade or a pirate ship. The environments are brighter with more elements on the screen and a greater attention to detail. Regarding the lifespan, it should be noted that it is revised upwards compared to Streets of Rage first of the name, thanks to the presence of the versus mode or simply because the levels take longer to complete. You still have to admit that it will not take you more than three hours to complete the eight levels of the game in normal mode and barely one more in difficult mode.
Last point concerning the two players mode. Indeed, if the co-op mode is still in the game, the game also has a versus mode! At first glance, such a mode could surprise in a beat'em all, but if we dwell on it, we will quickly see that the result can be really fun. Each player then chooses one of the four characters and must eliminate the other using weapons scattered throughout the level. Only black point, in this mode, there is only one playable level. What can we say about this Streets of Rage 2 except that it is an excellent sequel to the first game in the series. It takes the basics and what made the strength of the first episode, that is to say, advanced graphics for the time, a soundtrack that is a masterpiece and a very special atmosphere. This Streets of Rage 2 is also appreciable for the few novelties it brings to the Sega series.
The notes
Graphics 18/20
This new opus fully exploits the capacities of the console and shows us the potential of the Megadrive.
Gameplay 17/20
The gameplay is another of the strong points of the game due to the richness of the movements and the possibilities of action available to the player.
Lifespan 14/20
The lifespan was a weak point of Streets of Rage and it must be admitted that this is still the case for the second opus. Despite the presence of the co-op mode and a versus mode, we quickly go around the game, nothing prevents us from coming back to knock on the rogue when the urge takes us.
Soundtrack 18/20
If the soundtrack was excellent in the first episode, it is just as good in this one since once again Yuzo Koshiro offers us a very good job. If you liked the soundtrack of the first Streets of Rage, don't miss this one.
Scenario/
Why change a successful game? Sega understood this well and offered us an excellent sequel to the series, by adding some more or less important novelties that will not go unnoticed. If you liked Streets of Rage and want to stack it again, this is the one for you.
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