Journey From Darkness: Strider Returns (1993). Play Free Online

Summary

Journey from Darkness: Strider Returns feels like a quirky side‑step in the Strider saga. The Game Gear version is essentially the Master System port, so you get the same sliding‑under‑ceilings mechanic and the oddly limited shuriken control—unlimited supply but only two on‑screen and you must toss them while standing still. The hero, called Hinjo in the manual, gathers protective orbs instead of morphing into a robot, and you can pick between the original cyber‑net cypher or a newer sweeping one before each stage.
The sprites are surprisingly large for a handheld, and the backgrounds carry a lot of detail that keeps the screen feeling alive. GamePro praised the tight controls, while Electronic Gaming Monthly gave it a solid 7/10, noting smoother animation than the Genesis port.
Even so, the pace drags a bit and the soundtrack drones on, reminders that the game was rushed out to meet a deadline, which shows in some uneven programming and uninspired design choices.

Storyline

Journey From Darkness: Strider Returns (often just called Strider Returns) puts you in the boots of Hinjo, the successor to the legendary Strider. His mission is to rescue the Princess of Planet Magenta, who has been seized by a terrorist organization. Across five distinct stages, Hinjo traverses varied environments, gathering energy icons and orbs while battling waves of enemies. He wields his signature cypher and shurikens, confronting a series of bosses that guard the captive. The final showdown pits him against the Grandmaster (Meio) from the original Strider, labeled the “Evil Master” in the manual, and after defeating this foe Hinjo frees the Princess.

Edited by Maya Carter