Criminally Overlooked Games #9: Osman

Osman is an excellent Strider clone.

I could just stop there, but i'd be doing the game a disservice. Osman is not just a clone, it's a pseudo-sequel. The game was designed and programmed by many of the same people who worked on the original S
trider, and they put a good effort forth to ensure it was an improvement on their past work. Somewhat surprisingly, it actually is.

The animations are fluid, the control is near perfection, throws and new power ups were added, and the designs are extremely well detailed. There are a lot of subtleties to master in this game.

So, why hasn't anyone heard of it? There's a few reason it's overlooked. For starters.. though Mitchel Corp was not exactly a new manufacturer they were certainly not large. They produced very few of these units, and when the game was released there weren't many very enthusiastic vendors looking to buy them. The game suffers partly from dated hardware, but mostly from tragically small production values.

To add to it's woes, Osman is not exactly a pick up and play game, some sections are outrageously hard even for an arcade game - good luck making it through on one quarter. Neither does it help to have such low quality music and sound effects, well done as they are, and the background story is an absolute mess.

..Not that story was real concern back in the nineties.. but.. yeah. The length of the game could also be considered a bit on the short side, but it's a fun ride while it lasts.

Category:

Gaming

Tags:

• osman
• mitchel
• corp
• criminally
• overlooked
• games
• big
• bang
• blitz

[xerfes]

Where did you encounter all this games?

[BigBangBlitz]

I read an article on this from some kind of old magaine, and when the opportunity arose to play it on MAME, I took it.

The others I played in Canada or just local places.

[RocMegamanX]

I couldn't beat that game. The last level is bull.

[BigBangBlitz]

It is exceptionally difficult and lacks necessary checkpoints.

Verified!

[Grooveraider]

Wow, very interesting and impressive even by today's standards. I would love to hear the development story surrounding Osman. Correct me if i'm wrong but didn't the company Mitchell work with Capcom on the game "Buster Bros." ? And why didn't Capcom back this game even if it wasn't a direct Strider sequel? Hmmmmmm... Great clip btw ^_^

[BigBangBlitz]

Yes, they did.

No, they didn't support this at all. They weren't opposed either.

[RileyOcelot]

this game is fucking hot! This is what Strider 2 should've been.

[10samm10]

Strider 2 (1999) is better but this game is great.

[SuperMytho]

This game is freaking awesome. Too bad the original PCB is so expensive.

[StarFoxAutobot]

A game set in the Middle East, a male protagonist, everything blowing up, and a female antagonist. Gee, why am I not surprised?

[Maniaxe613]

@vdig I am SO glad I am not the only one who recognized that! I'm sure it's just a coincidence. Remember, this game was released in 1996.

[myCATm1m1]

lots or Illuminati reference

[myCATm1m1]

i c he got sum chung li kicks going on there... lol lol nice reviewtho

[Jagged85]

@NoeLPZC

Considering how Dubai is becoming like a real-life Blade Runner city, it's about time a setting like that is utilized more often by movies and games.

[Sentinal6]

this gme looks awsome and i love how it has some blade runner influence

[reignick1133]

@chengue21 heh it's not a "cheap copy" if the same main director and programer for Strider Hiryu made this game as well.

While not using Moromia Kikau's titular Hiryu character this is in essence a "spiritual successor" to the original Strider.

( Remember before 99 all we had was the shitty U.S. Gold /Tiertex unofficial "sequel" and NO ONE was happy with that crap.)

This game was made because it NEEDED to be, Moto wasn't allowing another game so quickly after Tiertex drug Strider down.

[Arunetto]

It's like a cross between an updated Strider's gameplay and Jojo's Bizarre Adventure's art direction. That said, it looks insanely fun.

[chengue21]

Come on people STRYDER HYRYU !!!! almost the same lvls cheap copy