Target Acquired: Cannon Dancer - Osman

Back in 1989, Capcom released Strider to arcades, which was later followed up by Sega's Gensis port on the system's first 8 megabit cartridge, thus cementing Strider Hiryu as one of the great action heroes of the era. In 1996, Mitchell Corporation released Osman, a.k.a. Cannon-Dancer, to arcades, with former Strider developer Kouichi Yotsui taking the lead. The result was a Strider-esque experience set in a futuristic version of the Middle East, and starring a very acrobatic hero who was able to perform somersault jumps, climb walls and ceilings, and run quickly down sloped surfaces.

Unlike Strider Hiryu, Osman (Kirin in the Japanese version) uses his bare hands to fight, requiring that he get in a bit closer, but he is supported by up to four after-images that hover in the air and deliver extra damage to enemies and bosses. Environments are extremely colorful, the world is packed with detail, and bosses are big and beautiful... but it's very much a quarter muncher. Players who grew up with the Genesis version of Strider will find this to be much more difficult experience. Fortunately, ININ Games - who partnered with game designer Kouichi Yotsui and artist Utata Kiyoshi on this release - have added some enhancements to ease players into the experience. Cannon Dancer - Osman includes options to enable a double jump, increased attack speed, several invincibility modes, and the ability to rewind time.

The game is now available for Switch via eShop, PS4 and PS5 via PSN, and Xbox One and X/S via Microsoft Store. Physical editions are available via Strictly Limited Games. Check our coverage here.