Review: Ganryu 2

pczone.co.uk:

Ganryu 2 is a 2D retro side-scrolling fighting game with a samurai theme, the sequel to the 1988 Neo Geo title Ganryu. But does this PC remake of the 1989 sequel pack all the punch it promises or is it seppuku time for Ganryu 2? 

Ganryu 2 has a simple revenge story at its core. The plot is based on a fictional Japanese tale of good and evil from the 1600s. In the story, Musashi, the player character has defeated Kojiro, the epitome of all things bad. 

And in Ganryu 2 we see Musashi fight Kojiro once more, but as the spirit rather than in the flesh, as he comes back from the dead for revenge. 

It’s a simple story and it works to get the action started and the fists flying. 

The world of Ganryu 2 is tightly packed with many enemies and hostility around every corner. Brightly coloured and with difficult gameplay, this is a challenging world to exist within. 

The attention to detail is impressive and when you see lanterns swinging in the wind and enemies throwing kunai your way, you truly feel flung back in time to feudal Japan. 

Much like a traditional Japanese painting from the time within which the game is set, Ganryu 2 is stunning visually. Ganryu 2 was originally made at a time when video game developers were small teams or individuals each seeking to impress each other and the world which how far they could push the current tech of the time, technically and visually. Much like Andro Dunos 2, Ganryu 2 does not disappoint in this area. 

Everything works seamlessly together, with environments chocked full of detail and atmosphere. Leaves and cherry blossom petals blow through the air in the breeze while you slice enemies from head to toe. And there are many other small minutiae which make Ganryu 2 a  visually immersive