In Progress Streets of Rage 2X By Kratus 2.3.1

[Kratus]

Ayano_Koshiro

Video games are art-form like ballet and good cinematic editing. The art is to achieve balance and tell story in movement and juxtaposition.

My thoughts are close to yours. Since 1992 when I played SOR1 and SOR2 for the first time, I felt both games like an orchestra. Every element happens in the right time and place. The music (made by the master Yuzo), all sound effects, the fighting mechanic, etc. So, I'm trying to replicate this orchestra again synchronizing all elements

After helping a DJ during a time, he teached some things about sound effects and music. He always said that every single sound needs a correct adjustment, and the most simple detail can make all difference in the quality. Lucky he is a fan of the SOR franchise too and he always told me that these games have perfect synchronization and adjustments.

It's good to know your vision about it

About your ideas to improve SOR2X, I can say that technically I haven't too many limits. The OpenBOR engine gave me a lot of freedom and firepower to create anything. I've been testing the engine limit for 5 years and it is always surprising me. Until now, every single thing I wanted, I could do.

Please, can I ask some things about the SOR2? Thanks

1) What is the history about the name of the SOR2 Jack character using the second palette?

2) When you were developing for the Megadrive, what was the one hardware feature you wished for most?

3) Who were the people that made the SOR2 backgrounds and which game is he best known for?

I finished the Harakiri proposal, and here's a demo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59bW56nwA2Q

For the modders:
- added the "legacy" life bar colors used in the original graphic effects mode
- every enemy that has weapons in the original game, will be spawned carrying it
- now bikers will have the same behaviour of the original games (jumping, stoping, etc)
- now the dropped bikes will explodes, same as the original games

 

[kimono]

Excellent work, Kratus! I like this route very much, it seems that our fellow Harakiri is guarding the castle .
I'm wondering what others modders think about adding a vertical launcher to front grabattack like pepodmc suggested for Axel (SOR4 move) and the new move for SOR3 Blaze in Streets of Rage 2 - PLUS ULTRA (see the video a few posts above)?
I'm here to sprite if you have any need for the Ringmaster route too

 

[pudu]

Ayano_Koshiro

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59bW56nwA2Q

For the modders:
- added the "legacy" life bar colors used in the original graphic effects mode
- every enemy that has weapons in the original game, will be spawned carrying it
- now bikers will have the same behaviour of the original games (jumping, stoping, etc)
- now the dropped bikes will explodes, same as the original games

Wow, the st6 route has been changed well, and has the HP slot changed?

 

[Psykai]

This looks awesome, Kratus!

When the SoR 1 content is finished, will you be replacing the two SoR 2 Souther with the SoR 1 version?

I love the ability to change the health bars to classic style. It's something I actually wished was in the game for a while I really like that instead of replacing a feature, you simply add an alternate option/mode. The ability to fully customize the game to your personal taste is so cool and very much appreciated.

Thank you so much for your hard work So excited to see more from this project.

Also: SoR3 Axel in SoR2X > SoR3 Axel in SoR4  ;D

 

[kimono]

Psykai: SOR1 Souther is already finished with a bunch of new moves. I think this is better to keep the SOR2 Souther / Zamza for the SOR2 route, but Kratus is the captain on board .

 

[pepodmc]

Also: SoR3 Axel in SoR2X > SoR3 Axel in SoR4  ;D

Yeah, Sor4 "sor 3 axel" is very nerfed. When they announced the retro characters i was happy that i would be able to play with him, but when i saw how he got downgraded...

SOR1 Souther is already finished with a bunch of new moves.

i saw the new running animation in a video, it looks great!

 

[16-bit Fighter]

Kratus
Maybe I should make a picture for you to see more my idea but at the moment I just tell it you. What do you think in the background of the entry of the stadium if there is one (maybe more) Big Ben away in the darkness (thus in a smaller size and with a part of the body in the dark) and laughing? It would allow to see him just before to fight him in the next mid-stage. It's just a matter of stage production but it could be fun.

I am one of the original developers for SOR2.

Welcome aboard! And big big thanks for SOR2!

Hi Ayano Koshiro and welcome here. That's very kind to you to offer your help. As I remember, you are the designer of SOR2?
I will be glad to share some thoughts about Street of Rage, we are all great fans here.
Can you tell us what was exactly your role in Bare Knuckle 2?

I recommand you to read this interview

 

[kimono]

pepodmc: Thanks! You will be able to try this SOR1 Souther in Nightmare mod. Feel free tu suggest some moves for any character that you think are mandatory (like a walking move for Zamza, I will work on it this week-end).
16-bit Fighter: Thanks for the link, I especially like this two headed alien boss:

I will try to make something like this somedays . I can even draw a SOR2 and a SOR3 version with Dr Dahm in it .

 

[pepodmc]

pepodmc: Thanks! You will be able to try this SOR1 Souther in Nightmare mod. Feel free tu suggest some moves for any character that you think are mandatory (like a walking move for Zamza, I will work on it this week-end).

Yeah, i will play it more to see what animations would be good to do.

Im near to finish porting the Sorr sprites of the sor 2 route to sor 2x (aside 3 or 4 graphic effects that i cant replicate)so i was busy with that, but this damn heat of summer is very annoing (in argentina)

Tomorrow i will play your nightmare mod for some hours to give you more feedback.

 

[kimono]

This is really nicely done but is it possible to put several times the Sega logo here, even if there are some customs works that are not produced by Sega company?

 

[Miru]

My thoughts are close to yours!

I have done an intro for your fan game I very much like. This comes closest to full vision of how retro SOR game should be.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ev2Vp111_SI

I like your demo! I will provide notes soon on this,and share other intentions and suggestions.

Mr. X shifting his intentions nationwide is a much better precedent for him going at the entire world in the next game than just doing the city again.  I do have a few more suggestions, though.

* "However, there is calm before the storm" should have an "always a" between is and calm.
* "Evil has once again cast its shadow over the nation!" should be "Evil is now casting its shadow over the entire nation!", which would provide a bit more urgency and surprise.
* "the Syndicate network of countless gangs, narcoterrorists, and other lowlives."
* The "is" in the sentence about the national guard could be changed to "can be".

* Maybe add a SEGA logo gag like in many other games?

 

[darknior]

My thoughts are close to yours!

I have done an intro for your fan game I very much like. This comes closest to full vision of how retro SOR game should be.

I like your demo! I will provide notes soon on this,and share other intentions and suggestions.

It's a really good idea
Really this game must have a real intro like there is in Street of Rage Remake.
That launch the game for the 3 chapters ...
But i don't really like the result, not a professional result like the SORR one ... i prefer i real animated style, and i 'm not fan of the lights effect and colors and filters you have use on images ...

 

[darknior]

Yes the design is better, i like this new animated design

 

[Miru]

He looks more lively already! Interesting that there was a last-minute art direction change that didn't end up panning out. I think this would be an interesting take. Looks easier to color-separate, too.

 

[pepodmc]

I like the original more, but kratus is the captain

 

[kimono]

Ayano_Koshiro: I already color separated Galsia and Donovan and giving to them a full set of moves, that you won't see in any other fangame. I'm wondering if you can concentrate your talent toward some prototype characters like Pink Typhoon, God Hand and Black Bird, the first design for Blaze, Axel and Adam? This would be so great! I've got no internet connection but I will share with you some of my sprites

 

[kimono]

You've got now all the time that you want if Sega company doesn't c&d Sor2x. I'll glad to see what is your vision for a complete and "perfect" SOR2: do you plan to add a full Alien stage 4?

 

[Kratus]

Ayano_Koshiro

About the intro:
Thanks for making a new intro to SOR2X. But it would be better to use the high resolution logo version, same as the one I'm using. What do you think about it?

About the story:
We can write any story in the intro, I made a scripted cutscene that allows me to easily write anything I want. When the SOR1 content is added, I'm planning to change the history and the game name. We can talk about and change it in future updates.

About the logos:
My personal logo and the engine logo (F-GAMES, OPENBOR) are displayed at the beginning of the game once before the intro scene. What do you think about it? I agree to add the SEGA logo in the game, but I hope that I will have no problem with them

About the credits:
In the previous posts you said to not mention your name. However I already added Yuzo/Ayano Koshiro names in the special thanks section at the ending scene since the first versions of the game. Is this ok? It's just a "thank you", I don't mention you as a contributor

About the new sprites:

If you look carefully at the sprites for Mr.X, Abadede, Barbon, Zamza, R.Bear, Shiva, and Jack they are more cartoonish than other sprites.

Again, if intention is to have definitive version of Streets of Rage 2, then I offer(ed) you example of original plan. SOR2 is not perfect game and much more work desired in the past for better game.

My fear is that dogma often interfere with better game that respects evolution of game. Sprites used in SOR3 better but still flawed because of hardware limitations and dogma

I totally agree with you Ayano, some bosses really have more cartoonish sprites, this is a long time doubt I had, but now is solved

I liked your sprites, they look cleaner and sharper than the original ones. Please send me the Galsia sprites and I will develop a demo.

As other modders already know, I'm always open to receive new content, but the only things I ask for the main characters are:

- must be close to the original sprites, to avoid very different styles clash
- must have a good quality and alignment
- at least the same original animations, preferentially having the SOR3 complete moveset

In addition, I can create a new sprite style option to change between the original SOR2, SOR3 or your newest sprites.

Thanks for your work and suggestions

kimono
Don't worry buddy, nothing will be changed about the original content and the customs. In addition, I'm developing all character versions (SOR1/SOR2/SOR3) and will be possible to change at the select screen

pudu

Wow, the st6 route has been changed well, and has the HP slot changed?

Thank you friend! And about the life bar, now you can choose between the new or classic styles using the "graphics effects" option

 

[kimono]

Kratus: I'm wondering one thing (and this is just for fun ): do you wish to have a Kratus / Kratos playable character for your SOR game? Because this is fully possible and can make some tests.

 

[John_Couey]

I had a suspicion that SOR2 wasn't fully developed to it's intention. Despite that, the installment is arguably the pinnacle of the series so for what it's worth, it didn't hinder the sales & recognition of the franchise by any way. Still, I have to address the elephant in the room. Particularly, those biker enemies that can grab you from behind & if you don't use your defensive special, they can basically have a free hit via their knockdown punch immediately if you do nothing. Sure you can mash buttons furiously to break the grab, it's rather tough with the small window you have to execute the escape. It's rather similar to seeing those competitive Street Fighter 2 matches where the pro players were able to escape a hold grab(Honda's bear hug, Blanka's bite etc.) without taking any damage. In SOR1 & SOR3, you could just simply press the jump button then attack button in sequence & your character shoulder threw(ahem, 背負投) the attacker away as a means of countering said grab. It seemed to be originally intended against the biker enemies in 2 but alas, hardware limitations. SOR4 ambiguously adopted the SOR2 principle, except this time there's a visual cue that your character is trying to escape & the window opportunity is much larger than it was in 2.

I myself am rather intrigued to see this original vision intended for SOR2 before the hardware limitations became an issue.