Osman - Arcade - 2D Platformer, Action (4K 60fps)
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🕺💥 Fast kicks, cyberpunk chaos, and cyber-ninjas—Osman is Strider turned up to 11. 💥 🕺
Today, we’re diving into Osman (also known as Cannon-Dancer), a wild, high-speed cyberpunk action platformer released in arcades in 1996 by Mitchell Corporation, designed by Kouichi Yotsui, the director of Strider. Often referred to as "Strider’s spiritual successor," Osman takes the core gameplay of that classic and injects it with Middle Eastern flair, psychedelic backdrops, and a lot more legs flying in every direction. It's fast, flashy, and downright bizarre—let's find out if it's as good as legend says.
🎮 Game Overview
You play as Kirin, a super-powered mercenary in a futuristic Middle Eastern dystopia, fighting against a psychic cult and a corrupt government. Instead of swords or guns, Kirin uses blazing-fast martial arts, unleashing a flurry of kicks, flips, and special moves while running at breakneck speed through six high-octane stages.
The action is nonstop, with tight platforming, enemies coming from all directions, and dazzling visuals that make every level feel like a fever dream.
✅ Pros
✔ Incredible Speed & Fluidity: Like Strider, but faster. Kirin’s movement is hyper-agile, with wall kicks, slides, and dashes that feel incredibly responsive.
✔ Unique Combat System: No weapons—just barehanded kung-fu fury. His combos are rapid, satisfying, and scale with power-ups that spawn body doubles to extend his reach.
✔ Vibrant, Psychedelic Visuals: The game oozes style with its trippy backgrounds, bold character design, and surreal enemy bosses. You’re never quite sure what you’ll see next.
✔ Excellent Boss Fights: Each boss is creative and intense, often requiring pattern recognition, quick reflexes, and good positioning to beat.
✔ Tight Level Design: Every stage is packed with action, multiple platforming routes, and secret health and power-ups—keeping exploration rewarding.
✔ Fantastic Soundtrack: The music combines Middle Eastern tones with techno beats, perfectly matching the game’s frenetic pace and setting.
✔ High Replay Value: Between the fast pacing, no-nonsense gameplay, and style overload, it’s a game you’ll want to run through again and again.
❌ Cons
✘ Very Short: A skilled player can finish the game in under 30 minutes, though the high difficulty will slow most players down.
✘ Steep Learning Curve: With fast movement and screen-filling enemies, new players can feel overwhelmed, especially during boss battles.
✘ Little Narrative Context: While the game has a plot, it’s told through brief cutscenes and isn’t always clear—expect vibes over story.
✘ No Co-op Mode: Unlike many arcade action games, Osman is strictly single-player, which limits the fun for groups.
✘ Niche Appeal: Its strange style and relentless pace might not resonate with players used to more traditional action-platformers.
🌀 Verdict
Osman is a criminally underrated arcade gem that delivers one of the most visceral, stylish, and lightning-fast experiences in 2D action. Its mix of fluid movement, over-the-top visuals, and bare-knuckle combat makes it stand out in a sea of swords and guns.
If you love Strider, Shinobi, or just want something weird, wild, and brutally fun, Osman is a must-play—a cult classic that still kicks hard today.
Final Score: 9/10 – A forgotten masterpiece of arcade speed and style.
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