Let’s dive right into our discussion, folks. Today we’re talking about Ganryu 2, a 2D platformer from Storybird Studio, published by Maximum Entertainment. The game’s sequel to Ganryu on NEOGEO, set in a 17th-century fantasia of Japan.
Right from the start, the game’s story has you on a mission. Miyamoto Musashi is called upon by a spirit, who needs our hero to liberate it. You’re traveling across Japan, getting into battles and exploring all kinds of environments.
Speaking to gameplay, the controls are decent but could use some fine-tuning. It’s peculiar when you suddenly lose the ability to jump, but usually, a dash maneuver fixes that. While it’s not too bothering, it could definitely be smoother.
Yes, and the game’s items and interactions are well-executed for the most part, but there are instances where things don’t always work as they should. The Kami magic, for example, is an impressive feature, but losing it upon death can be frustrating. It significantly shapes the player experience and strategy.
Off the cuff, the narrative shows great promise. It’s intricately tied to the world of Takezo Musashi, making for a richly drawn fantasy Japan. However, it could benefit from deeper character developments and more dramatic plot twists.
I couldn’t agree more. Personally, I found the enemy types in Ganryu 2 impressively diverse and challenging, keeping the gameplay from being monotonous.
And visually, it’s gorgeous! The pixel-art style gives it a neat retro vibe, and the character designs are elaborate and engaging. Although there are moments where characters’ sprites become desychronized, they are far and few.
On the audio side, the soundtrack does a decent job of augmenting the game’s mood, although it isn’t particularly memorable. Some voice acting could have added an extra layer of immersion to the narrative aspect.
For character development, other than our protagonist Miyamoto Musashi, there isn’t much depth to the other characters. More interaction could help make the game world feel more alive.
The game is indeed challenging, with some noticeable spikes in stages 4 and 5. It’s a fine balance between being a satisfactory challenge and being frustrating.
As for the replay value, there’s definite potential. Uncovering new strategies and improving completion times make for a compelling reason to replay the game.
I think it offers the right amount of content to make revisiting it worthwhile, especially for those who enjoy 100% completion. That said, it lacks a bit in branching paths or secrets to discover.
To sum up, as a 2D platformer, Ganryu 2 stands a nice tribute to classic side-scrollers. It offers an enjoyable gameplay experience, but it also has room for improvement.
True. Despite its flaws, it’s a game worth trying for any action-platformer fans. I hope Storybird Studio continues to smooth out the rough edges in their future updates or sequels.
I absolutely second that. It has the potential to become a renowned entry in the 2D platformer arena. Let’s keep a watchful eye on what the developer is planning next.
Indeed. I believe this title film fills a specific niche for old-school sidescroller enthusiasts, and further polish could only enhance the experience. I look forward to seeing the evolution of this game and any future projects Storybird Studio brings us.
