Streets of Rage 2
Is a classic side-scrolling beat ’em up video game developed and published by Sega for the Sega Genesis console in 1992. It is the second game in the Streets of Rage series and is widely regarded as one of the best beat ’em up games of all time.
The game follows four characters – Axel, Blaze, Max, and Skate – as they fight to take down the evil crime lord Mr. X and his henchmen. The game features eight levels, each with a boss at the end, as well as a final boss fight against Mr. X himself.
The gameplay is typical of a side-scrolling beat ’em up, where players move from left to right through levels, defeating waves of enemies using a combination of basic attacks, special moves, and weapons. Players can also pick up power-ups, such as health and extra lives, throughout the levels.
One of the game’s notable features is its vibrant and colorful graphics, featuring detailed sprites and backgrounds that capture the look and feel of a 90s urban environment. The game also features an iconic electronic soundtrack composed by Yuzo Koshiro.
The game includes a variety of characters to play as, each with their own unique moves and abilities. The game also includes two-player co-op, allowing players to team up and take on the game together.
Overall, Streets of Rage 2 is a classic beat ’em up game that still holds up today. Its engaging gameplay, memorable characters, and iconic soundtrack make it a must-play for fans of the genre and retro gaming enthusiasts.
Like the previous game, Streets of Rage 2 is a side-scrolling beat-em-up in which one or two players fight against waves of enemies while picking up weapons and items along the way. Along with returning characters Axel Stone and Blaze Fielding, the game introduces two new characters; Max Thunder, a slow-moving but powerful wrestler, and Eddie “Skate” Hunter (known as Sammy Hunter in the Japanese release),[5] the brother of previous game’s Adam Hunter who can move around quickly with his rollerblades. In addition to standard attacks, which have been expanded from the previous game, each character can perform a unique Blitz Attack by double tapping a direction before attacking. Replacing the police car attack from the previous game, each character can perform Special Attacks which can deal extra damage or attack enemies from all directions at the cost of the player’s health. Along with the main campaign, two players can also fight against each other in the game’s Duel mode.[6]
One year has passed since the events of Streets of Rage. To celebrate the defeat of the mysterious Mr. X and his criminal organization, The Syndicate, the trio of Adam Hunter, Axel Stone and Blaze Fielding had met at their favorite nightspot in the city, reminiscing about both their vigilante crusade and triumphant victory from within the previous year. Axel and Blaze had moved out of the city after the adventure, with Axel working as a part-time bodyguard and Blaze teaching dance classes. Adam has since rejoined the police force and lives in a small house with his younger brother, Eddie “Skate” Hunter.
The next afternoon, Blaze had received an unexpected yet emergency phone call from Skate, who had informed her that upon arriving at home from school, Skate was shocked to find his house in ruin and his older brother missing. Attached to the front door was a picture of Adam chained to a wall at the feet of Mr. X. The criminals began to retake the streets once more, as beatings and looting took place regularly and in broad daylight; chaos reigned in the city, far worse than before. Realizing that Mr. X and The Syndicate have returned for revenge against them and the city, Blaze wastes no time in informing Axel about the unexpected situation, with Axel himself personally vowing to help Blaze out in defeating Mr. X and rescuing Adam. From within the preparation of their upcoming second battle against Mr. X and The Syndicate, Blaze and Axel are soon joined by Skate, who wishes to help out in rescuing and saving his older brother Adam and Axel’s friend, a professional wrestler named Max Thunder who also seeks to help aid Axel and Blaze out as well in rescuing and saving their kidnapped friend.
The quartet soon embarks on a rescue mission, which will take them from the city all the way to Mr. X’s hideout on a desolate island, where they will eventually face Mr. X and his bodyguard Shiva. Unlike the other two games in the series, Streets of Rage 2 has only one ending, where Mr. X is defeated and Adam is rescued, after which the heroes leave in a helicopter.
