Strider

The main pros of the game

• Fast-Paced Combat: The game features responsive controls and smooth movement, making combat enjoyable and engaging.
• Nostalgic Elements: It successfully integrates aspects from previous Strider titles, appealing to fans of the franchise.
• Art Direction: The graphics and art style are visually appealing, with a vibrant and colorful aesthetic that captures a comic book vibe.
• Exploration and Secrets: The game encourages exploration with numerous secrets to discover, including character and world art.
• Boss Variety: Boss fights are creative and challenging, requiring players to learn attack patterns.
• Soundtrack: The remixed tracks from the original series enhance the gaming experience with an ambient quality.
• Solid Level Design: The interconnected world design allows for fluid traversal and exploration.

The main cons of the game

• Navigation Issues: The map system is criticized for being unhelpful; it lacks detailed information on connections and points of interest, making navigation frustrating.
• Difficulty Balance: Some players found the game too easy on normal difficulty, while others noted that certain boss fights could be challenging.
• Linear Progression: Despite being labeled a Metroidvania, the game is viewed as somewhat linear with limited exploration compared to other titles in the genre.
• Respawning Enemies: Immediate respawn of enemies can be frustrating, especially when backtracking.
• Visual Limitations: Some cutscenes and character models show signs of being dated, indicating a lower budget production.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

• Fast Travel System: Many users expressed a desire for a more robust fast travel system to ease backtracking.
• More Enemy Variety: There were calls for a greater variety of enemies to keep combat fresh and engaging.
• Deeper Storytelling: The narrative was described as basic, with a lack of depth in character development and lore compared to other games like Hollow Knight.
• Character Voice Acting: Some players noted the absence of voiced dialogue as a missed opportunity to enhance character engagement.
• More Complex Mechanics: Suggestions included the desire for parry/block mechanics or more intricate traversal abilities to enhance gameplay depth.

Summary

• Overall, while STRIDER™ is praised for its fast-paced action and nostalgic elements, it faces criticism for navigation issues, linearity, and a lack of depth in certain gameplay aspects.

Summary generated on: October 29, 2025