Streets of Rage 2, known as Bare Knuckle II in Japan (ベア・ナックル II), is a side-scrolling beat 'em up released by Sega in 1992 for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis. It is the second game in the Streets of Rage game series and sequel to Streets of Rage. Its soundtrack is again done by Yuzo Koshiro, whose work was inspired by early '90s club music.
The title introduced two new playable characters to the franchise: Max Thunder and Eddie "Skate" Hunter. Adam, from the first title, was removed from the roster, and would not return as a playable character until Streets of Rage 4.
The game was universally hailed; as the Genesis matured, so did the game engine. More intricate fight moves, better soundtrack and more cartridge space for smooth graphics sold the title: it would be followed by the less successful Streets of Rage 3 a little more than two years later. Over the decades since its release, the game has been ported to multiple platforms, such as the Sega Smash Pack for the Sega Dreamcast, Nintendo's Virtual Console, and Xbox 360 Arcade. The game was also included in Sega Genesis Classics for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. A Nintendo 3DS port, using the stereoscopic 3D effects of the handheld console, called 3D Streets of Rage 2, was also made, featuring additional game modes.
Story[]
One year has passed since Adam Hunter, Axel Stone, and Blaze Fielding successfully defeated Mr. X and broke the Syndicate Crime Organization's hold on the city. Peace has returned to the streets, the once-vacant neighborhoods being repopulated, and prosperity has returned to the city. Adam has returned to the police force, while Axel and Blaze have moved out of the city and found jobs as a bodyguard and a dance instructor, respectively.
On the anniversary of their victory over the syndicate, Adam, Axel, and Blaze reunite to celebrate and talk about old times. The next day, however, Axel receives a frantic call from Adam's younger brother, Eddie "Skate" Hunter, who returned home from school to find their house completely wrecked. Worse, no one at the police station had seen or heard from Adam since early that morning. Axel and Blaze rush to investigate, and find a photo of Adam, in chains, laying at the feet of a man they know only too well. Mr. X and the Syndicate have returned, and, thirsty for revenge, have kidnapped Adam in the hopes of luring Axel and Blaze into a trap.
Adam's disappearance marked the beginning of a new nightmare. Criminal elements swarmed out to reclaim the streets. Gangs roamed the parks, and bomb-wielding bikers made the roads deadly to travel at night. Beatings and lootings took place regularly and in broad daylight. Chaos reigned in the city, far worse than ever before.
Axel and Blaze tried to contact their old friends at the force, the ones who once provided backup with heavy artillery. But everyone they knew had either been fired or transferred elsewhere. This time, the Syndicate was in complete control, and the two ex-cops were on their own.
Assisted by Adam's brother Skate, and Axel's old friend Max, Axel and Blaze set out to rescue their friend and destroy Mr. X once and for all. Standing in their way is the nastiest collection of punks and brawlers ever assembled. Add to that a force of professional fighters specially groomed to take them out of the picture.
Gameplay[]
Though Streets of Rage 2 plays very similar to its predecessor, Ancient, Yuzo Koshiro's game company, took time to rewrite the game engine. This resulted in the game having a smoother gameplay and also allowed Ancient to make larger character sprites, allowing more expressive animations.
The biggest change was the rework on the special attack system; instead of summoning a police car to bombard the entire battlefield, characters now have access to two unique special attacks: a neutral special, performed by pressing A while stationary (which hits opponents in all directions), and a side special, performed by pressing A while holding or tapping left or right. Special attacks are exclusive per character, with each having their own moves. Charaters are briefly invincible while using special attacks, and can use during hitstun when attacked by enemies, making them safe moves to gain stage control. To offset this power, a health deduction is inflicted when special attacks are used, although the neutral special only deducts health if it hits at least one enemy.
The fighting mechanics were vastly improved, being possible to chain combos better, juggle multiple enemies at the same time, and each playable character having their own distinct gameplay style and attributes. Enemies are also improved; all are given health bars and names, and like the selectable characters, given bigger and more individual fighting techniques.
There are also changes to the weapons that can be picked up. The pepper shaker, baseball bat and the bottle from the original game have been removed. Weapons can now be thrown or swung at will.
In addition to the normal game mode, a duel mode was also included, which allowed two players to select a character and fight to deplete the other's health. The matches take place on a single-screen segment, and a segment from any of the eight stages can be chosen. Special attacks can also be toggled on or off. The first player to completely deplete the other's health, or the player with the most health remaining when time expires, wins the round, and winning two rounds wins the match. If the round ends with both characters with the same amount of health, the round is ruled a draw and doesn't count. This is the only mode that allows both players to fight as the same character, with the second player getting a different color scheme to distinguish them from the first player, as follows:
- Axel wears a yellow shirt and black pants, similar to Adam.
- Blaze wears a blue outfit.
- Max wears red pants with blue lightning bolts, and blue boots.
- Skate wears a white shirt and blue gloves, hat, and rollerblades.
Pickups[]
Items[]
- Apple: small health refill.
- Chicken: full health refill.
- 1UP: grants an extra life.
- Money bag: 1000 points.
- Gold bar: 5000 points.
Weapons[]
- Knife: Stabs in front of the player, knocking enemies down.
- Kunai: Throwing weapon.
- Lead pipe: Swings above the player and to the front, knocking enemies down. When used by Max it also hits behind him.
- Katana: Swings above the player and to the front, knocking enemies down. When used by Max it also hits behind him. Functions exactly like the lead pipe.
- Grenade: Detonates upon impact or after a few seconds. Its explosion can hit multiple enemies and also player characters.
Playable Characters[]
Stages and Bosses[]
Stage | Name | Mid-Boss | Boss | BGM |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Downtown | Jack Electra |
Barbon | Go Straight! In the Bar Never Return Alive |
2 | Bridge Construction | Hakuyo | Jet | Spin on the Bridge Ready Funk Never Return Alive |
3 | Amusement Park | Vehelits | Zamza Lizardian (GG only) |
Dreamer Ready Funk Alien Power Never Return Alive |
4 | Stadium | Big-Ben | Abadede Zamza (SMS only) |
Under Logic Too Deep Never Return Alive |
5 | Ship | Wayne | Rocky Bear | Slow Moon Never Return Alive |
6 | Jungle | Souther and Stealth | Wave 131 Jungle Base Never Return Alive | |
7 | Munitions Plant | Particle and Molecule Nail (SMS only) |
Back to the Industry Expander Never Return Alive | |
8 | Syndicate Stronghold | Shiva | Mr. X | S.O.R. Super Mix Max Man Revenge of Mr. X |
Enemies[]
- Galsia (Brash, Joseph, B.T, Jonathan, Garam, Surger, Talk)
- Donovan (Martin, Gonzalez, Z, Brown, Gudden, Reid, Mc-K, Altet, U-3)
- Signal (Y.Signal, R.Signal, B.Signal, G.Signal, P.Signal, D.Signal, Axi, Mavin)
- Rider (Fog, Hail, Frost, Mist, Dew, Gale, Tempest, Storm, Calm, Gust, Typhoon, Tornado, Blade, Wanter)
- Ninja (Kusanagi, Hanzou, Ryuohin, Ranzou, Yagasira, Setsura, Izayoi, Unsai, Tenzen, Genyosai, Kanzou, Jay, Buoh, Huwa, Mutsu)
- Hakuyo (Suzaku, Ryokurou, Hakuro, Seiryu, Byatcko, Ko-Shu, Suicho, Ho-Oh, Ko-Kaku, Rakan, Kongoh, Ashurah)
- Jack (Beano, Soya)
- Electra (L.Lisa, Nora, Sug.Q, Caska, Reine, Enola, Dallala, Eldy, Zora, Bloody, Metal.M)
- Big Ben (Big-Go, Heart, Balloon, Bongo, Gourmand, Golba, Buffet, Dante, Titan, Anry)
- Eagle (Raven, Condor, Falcon, Bantam, Pheasant, Sparrow, Thrush, Ibis, Raptor, Phoenix, Galuda, Peacock, Owl, Shrike)
- Vehelits
- Barbon (Boss), (Wayne, Vulture)
- Jet (Boss), (Mach, Stealth, Griphis, Bomber, Kite, Comet, Spitfire, Mosquite, Blitz, Tomcat)
- Zamza (Boss), (Souther, Nail)
- Abadede (Boss), (Z.Kusano)
- R. Bear (Boss), (Bear Jr.)
- X-Robot (Particle, Molecule, Isotope, Uranium, Oxygen, Hydrogen, Mercury, Nitrogen, Chlorine, Fluorine)
Gallery[]
Videos[]
Trivia[]
- In the key art and cover for the japanese version, the facial features of the characters appear to have been based on Hollywood stars. Most notably, Axel bears strikingly resemblance to Belgian actor and martial artist, Jean-Claude Van Damme, while Mr. X resembles Austrian-American actor and former Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger.