Osman (Arcade) Playthrough
5Playthrough of Mitchell Corp.'s 1996 side-scrolling action platformer for the Arcades, Osman.
Osman, also known as Cannon Dancer in Japan, is a side-scrolling action arcade game released in 1996 by Mitchell Corporation. Created by Kouichi Yotsui, one of the key designers behind Capcom's *Strider*, Osman is often considered its spiritual successor. The game shares many visual and gameplay elements with *Strider*, including fast-paced movement, acrobatic combat, and futuristic themes, but it distinguishes itself with a distinct setting, tone, and a more surreal, psychedelic visual style.
Set in a dystopian future ruled by a corrupt government and mystical forces, the game follows Kirin, a rogue anti-terrorist operative and martial arts expert who takes on a powerful sorceress and her sinister empire. Unlike many action games of the time, Osman has a unique twist in its protagonist's lack of weapons—Kirin uses only his kicks and martial arts prowess to fight enemies, which gives the game a distinctive rhythm and flow. His movements are fluid and acrobatic, with wall-jumping, sliding, and high-speed dashing adding depth to the combat and platforming.
The game stands out visually for its vibrant, sometimes chaotic color palette and imaginative level design, often shifting between cyberpunk cityscapes, desert ruins, and other surreal environments. The enemy designs are equally bizarre, ranging from robotic foes to mutated creatures, and boss battles tend to be intense, flashy encounters that test both reflexes and pattern recognition.
Despite its stylish presentation and strong gameplay mechanics, Osman was relatively obscure upon its release and did not see a wide home console release for many years. However, it has since gained a cult following, appreciated for its tight controls, creative direction, and as a hidden gem of the 90s arcade scene.