Ganryu 2: Hakuma Kojiro

Ganryu 2 is the sequel nobody could expect in 2022, but it certainly manages to entertain for a while. Even though it's not the best neo-retro out there, it has a very particular charm, plays smooth and looks like a modern Super Nintendo title. Enough to give it a try.

If you’re up for a challenge and fondly remember classic action games like Shinobi 3 or Strider, you’d be wise to pick Ganryu 2 up. It looks and plays great; aside from some bouts of slowdown and a dearth of options, there’s nothing really to complain about. And best of all, it’s available at a price that won’t break the bank.

Fortunately, the controls are tight and slashing baddies feels great in that old school button-mashing kind of way. The level design is largely enjoyable as well, offering hidden paths, secrets, and a good amount of variety in both visuals and gameplay. Meanwhile, the boss battles are consistently intense and require some serious precision later on — a dangerous mix if you're already struggling with Ganryu 2's stiff challenge, but rewarding to overcome all the same.

Ganryu 2 succeeds in its goal to continue the legacy of the arcade, however, it’s dragged down by the shackles that come with it. Its failure to take inspiration from modern games means that it struggles to compete with contemporaries. The presentation is stunning and the levels are well designed, varying throughout. However, the stiff movement and lack of continues can make this a laborious experience.

A small patch would shape the experience, but as it stands, the whole thing can be greatly improved.

An old-school action platformer that sends us back to the Neo Geo era but fails to give the same amount of shivers down the spine due to some balance and design issues.