Asura the Striker (Space Harrier Clone)

[SuperMappy]

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2389 ... E_STRIKER/

This looks great! I had to discover this just before leaving for work.

I'll tell you what I think of it soon.

[SuperMappy]

Review: Asura the Striker

Platform: Steam
Playtime: ~2 hours
Score: 8.5 / 10

Asura the Striker is a fast, over-the-shoulder 3D rail shooter that wears its classic arcade inspirations proudly. If you grew up with Space Harrier, After Burner, or branching-path arcade racers like OutRun, this game will feel instantly familiar—but noticeably faster.

Gameplay & Controls

The first thing you notice is the speed. Flying through each stage feels roughly twice as fast as Space Harrier, creating a constant sense of momentum and intensity. Movement is extremely responsive—almost too responsive at times, to the point where you might find yourself wishing for just a little more precision or slowdown. Fortunately, the game includes a slow-motion mechanic with a limited recharge that helps manage chaotic situations and gives you breathing room during heavy enemy waves.

Combat is straightforward but satisfying. You can hold down the fire button for continuous shooting, or, if enemies get close enough, perform melee punches—a cool idea, even if you may not find yourself using it often early on. Each stage ends with a traditional boss fight, and later regions introduce mini-bosses that help break up the pacing.

Structure & Progression

Between stages, you’re allowed to choose branching routes, similar to OutRun or Puzzle Bobble, giving each run some replay value and letting players shape their own path through the game. There’s also a fun bonus stage where you attempt to fly through Japanese torii gates before boarding a landing craft to restore shields—an enjoyable breather between the more intense missions.

Presentation

Before each mission, you can choose from several outfits for your character. The costumes—a mech suit, a classic schoolgirl outfit, or a “battle bikini”—don’t affect gameplay, but they add some aesthetic variety and a bit of tongue-in-cheek personality.

Overall Impression

Asura the Striker is a fast, stylish homage to arcade rail shooters. Its incredible speed, responsive controls, satisfying boss encounters, and branching stage routes make it easy to recommend to fans of classic Sega-style action. If you enjoy games like Space Harrier, you’ll feel right at home here.

Final Verdict: 8.5 / 10 — A high-energy modern take on a beloved arcade genre.

[Misfit]

Nice. Sounds good.

Looks like there is a demo, so I'll give it a bash and see how it goes on the Deck.