In a future ruled by tyranny and evil, a lone Strider named Hiryu must use his sharply honed skills to fight for justice and peace, and defeat the Grandmaster, an evil dictator who has taken over the world.
Strider 2 is a fast-paced action game with arcade-style gameplay. Unlike its predecessor, it features 2D animations on 3D backgrounds. New moves include a double jump, backward somersault and dash, which allows longer jumps. The Cypher sword can be boosted to release homing plasma waves. There's also the Savage Slash attack with random slashes.
There are bonuses to collect in levels that boost Strider's vitality, increase his sword's power or game score. A Boss Gauge is also present, showing how much energy a boss has left before dying.