Review: Ganryu 2

Retro samurai triumph or seppuku time for Ganryu 2?

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? 

Revenge!

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. 

Lanterns in the breeze

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. 

Elegant pixel painting

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 Ganryu 2 was originally made at a time when video game developers were small teams or individuals each seeking to impress each other and the world which how far they could push the current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 experience. 

Fight ‘em up, katana style

Ganryu 2 is a very combat-oriented title. Your katana and kunai are essential to survival. Plus, you’re gonna need some skill. Quite a lot of it. 

Ganryu 2 is a very challenging game indeed. The difficulty is to the degree to which some professional reviewers have even admitted to not even having finished the game as it was just too much of a slog! 

The first level is a baptism in fire. But quickly you will find your feet and your rhythm, slicing through enemies like gyoza. And like anything difficult in life, the adrenaline endorphin rush you receive when each boss is finally defeated, well… There just isn’t anything quite like it. And this level of repetition for reward is something missing from a lot of games today, so Ganryu 2 delivers this rare experience deliciously well. 

Each level follows the same structure. Kill smaller enemies to progress to the boss, try to kill the boss, die lots of times, finally kill the boss, and then progress to the next level. But the formula never feels tiresome due to a huge amount of variety between level themes. 

From a Japanese sunset level to a rollercoaster of a mine cart ride, to a futuristic factory. Fresh environments always move on to something new, maintaining interest and momentum. 

As for weapons, killing enemies can be achieved with kunai (throwing knives) and a katana which can be used in many ways, spinning in the air, being one of several attacks. There is also an unstoppable dash attack for killing several enemies in a row.

Attacking is always satisfying, due to tight controls, great animations and convincing sound effects. 

There is also something strikingly elegant about the way the player character Musashi throws kunai with such a trained elegance. Or how he ascends into the air, becoming a perfectly rounded, katana-wielding blur to dispatch flying enemies in a disciplined display of acrobatics. 

Several different options for attacking exist, too. For one of the larger, more specialised enemies, you can either wait to the right moment to use Kunai throwing knives or charge and knock them off their balance, leaving them open to melee attack.

“Ganryu 2 a punishing experience but forces you to improve over time”

Enemies are just as varied as the visual themes of the levels. Samurai of all types and many monster-type enemies with different abilities, such as being able to fly, or just having massive weapons and powerful, timed attacks. 

By far, the most annoying enemies are the floating old lady ghost heads which come out of nowhere to give you a deadly kiss when you’re least expecting it. A bit like my grandma then. But thankfully, these disappear after the first Act. 

There are no game saves until you complete each 2 level Act. Dying sends you back to the beginning after losing all your lives. This makes Ganryu 2 a punishing experience but forces you to improve over time, lending the game a satisfying learning arc. 

This title also has a large number of secret areas, making it perfect for completion-obsessed players. 

Let’s do the shamisen shuffle

The musical score is composed by Stef Sirrah. Much like the gameplay, the score is tight, understated and tense, using all the Japanese instruments one would expect to find. 

In the boss sequences, the score shifts into a more high-tempo beat to get the blood pumping, while maintaining the Japanese-style elegance. 

This is an excellent score overall, which adds a lot to the atmosphere at all times. 

Closing Emotive Response

Without having played the original Ganryu, it was hard to know what to expect with Ganryu 2. Compared to other retro shooters and fight-em-ups, Ganryu 2 is on par with many other excellent titles. 

The feudal-Japan theme is particularly well executed and makes for an especially immersive, memorable experience. And the gameplay is always fresh, very challenging and deeply satisfying. 

Thanks to the publisher JustForGames and PixelHeart for a copy of the game.

Ganryu 2 is available on Steam for £13.99.