Cannon Dancer – Osman review

Hiryu, is that you? 

Although designer Kouichi Yotsui has stated that Strider underperformed commercially, the 1989 arcade title was indisputably influential. Not only did the game inspire a pair of sequels and a 2009 reboot, but protagonist Strider Hiryu made regular appearances in Capcom’s Marvel vs. Capcom fighting series. Before Strider’s launch, hack-and-slash games habitually pushed players through unremarkable stages. But Hiryu’s elegant acrobatics presented an energetic approach to maneuverability that would pave the way for games like Devil May Cry and Viewtiful Joe.

Subsequently, Yotsui tackled different genres, directing an adventure game, a fighter, and even some adult-themed tile matching. But in 1996, the developer reunited with several ex-Capcom employees at Mitchell to revisit the kind of stylish action that made Strider feel significant. The result was a game called Cannon Dancer in Japan and localized as Osman for Western arcades. After 27 years, the title has been given a home port.

Gleaning and the Crocodile Body Drop

Supposedly an allegory for Yotsui’s departure from Capcom, Cannon Dancer has plenty of villains but not a whole lot of intelligibility. There’s a basic premise of a scoundrel named “Abdullah the Slaver” hellbent on world domination as well as the lone assassin sent to kill her. The exposition mostly consists of odd intertitles, “Monday, Agadan— on the Persian Gulf” or threats stated by the game’s baddies. Cannon Dancer shifts locations at a rapid-fire pace, leading to at least one boss lair with classic cars, toxic butterflies, and robotic statues. Like a lot of the stories that drove 90’s coin-ops, it doesn’t make much sense, but witnessing the hodgepodge of ideas is a lot of fun.

Protagonist Kirin (“Osman” in the Western version included here) controls a lot like Strider Hiryu. When not somersault jumping, the character clings to walls and ceilings and is capable of performing a slide while crouching. Pleasingly, you can transition from the slide right into a dash, making Kirin feel quite agile. While he lacks Hiryu’s “cypher” blade, Cannon Dancer’s pony-tailed lead boasts lethal legs capable of slicing right through foes, turning humanoids into clouds of pulpy red mist. With a bit of precise timing, you can grab enemies from the air, and pile-drive them into the ground, giving them one hell of a headache.

Two other movements are essential when battling the game’s numerous and slippery bosses. A special “Fatal Attack” sends Kirin vaulting around, attacking every on-screen enemy. Although these assaults are limited in number, they are invaluable for taking down some of the tougher end-of-stage baddies. Kirin’s other ability creates shadow clones that mimic his movements. After summoning up to four faux-Kirins, you can have your clones attack, after you’ve retreated to safety. Agreeably, the power of this offensive tactic can be elevated by collecting power-ups scattered across each stage.

The Sixth Stage Change-up

The first few stages of Cannon Dancer offer offbeat enjoyment. Here, Kirin’s litheness offers an advantage as you exterminate bullet firing-foes before they have a chance to get you in the gunsights. There are a few peculiar moments, such as the pause to provide advice just before a speeding military truck attempts to run you over. As you endure, enemy attack patterns grow more challenging to read. Bosses tend to fly about the screen and if you’re not careful will surprise you, depleting one of your health bars. More traditional patterns would have made these showdowns seem equitable. Frustratingly, Dancer changes the rule across its sixth and final stage. Here, death pushes you back to a checkpoint, instead of resurrecting you on the spot. Fighting a late-game clone boss who copies your moves feels gimmicky as well.

Ratalaika’s port is rather light on extras. Sure, you get both the Japanese and Western versions of the game, but save for some naming and dialog deviations, there aren’t many differences. The biggest change is the inclusion of optional save states and cheats. Beyond being able to rewind the action, you can opt for double-jumping, and turbo-fire kicking, as well as various states of invincibility. But if you’re looking for instructions, any kind of historical context, or even some insight from Yotsui, Cannon Dancer comes up short, especially given the game’s steep $30 price point.

Cannon Dancer – Osman was played on Switch
with review codes provided by the publisher.