Strider

Hover mouse over screenshots for commentary.

July 2014

Strider is a "Metroid-vania" style game where you technically can go anywhere on the map from the start, but you will gain abilities throughout the game that allow you to uncover secrets or reach additional areas. Your basic form of offense is a sword, and you earn 3 additional blades throughout the game. You can also climb walls and hang onto the ceiling with minimal effort.

I got this game for free, but I think it's normally $15 or so. The game can be completed in just a few hours, but it's pretty fun few hours because you are always earning new abilities, fighting new enemies, and fighting new boss characters. Though it's not particularly my favorite style of gameplay, it's a well made game and you'll probably like it if you like cutting up robots as a ninja.

This is one of the early boss characters, and, as such, it's pretty easy. By this point in the game I haven't unlocked many of the advanced moves.

Swinging the ol' sword.		I believe this is the first ability you gain, which allows you to slide under narrow places.
Climbing walls is no problem at all.	Running along the spine of a robotic dragon.
	These boss characters are a couple of meany-pants.
		Some enemies are much bigger than you. And are robots.
		You can usually climb across ceilings without too much trouble.

Sometimes you have to take out 3 bosses at once.

The camera will zoom in during close quarters.		Perhaps the fire sword will do the trick?

Some enemies have shields, some have grenades, etc. There is an appropriate strategy and/or weapon for any situation.
You use these jaguar statue things to quick-travel around the map.	When swords collide!
Accessing the final tower.
	The boss battles are suitably Japanese-styled.
Take that, robot scum!	The title screen.