Get ready to strap into your Assault Suit! Clear River Games is resurrecting the Saturn classic, Assault Suit Leynos 2, for Western audiences, and it’s not just a lazy port. They’ve clearly put some work into this one, it’s looking really good.
Originally released on the Sega Saturn in Japan, Assault Suit Leynos 2 drops you into a gritty future: 2123. Space colonies are rebelling against Earth due to overpopulation, and the assassination of the Zenes federation’s Prime Minister kicks off a full-blown war with the Republic of Sanraal. Sanraal, facing a losing battle, turns to the 12th Special Assault Suits Squad – a group of delinquents and troublemakers – as their last hope. Think Dirty Dozen piloting mechs.
By the way, this is unsurprisingly the sequel to 1990’s Assault Suit Leynos, which was known in the US as Target Earth. Another sequel, Assault Suit Valken, was released on the SNES in 1992.
Have a look at this trailer — it’s proper tasty!
This isn’t just a straight emulation job. Clear River Games, a small Swedish studio under the Embracer Freemode umbrella, has gone beyond the basics. They’re clearly passionate about retro gaming, and Leynos 2 benefits from their attention. You get seven stages of side-scrolling shooter action, piloting your customizable Assault Suit against waves of enemies. The weapon system is interesting, affecting both your firepower and your field of view – a smart strategic touch. Do you go for raw damage or a wider view of the battlefield? It’s your call. And yes, both auto and manual aiming are available. The difficulty ramps up dynamically, so don’t expect an easy ride.
New features in Assault Suit Leynos 2
This Western release isn’t just translated; it’s been given a modern makeover:
- Multi-Language Support: English, Japanese, Spanish, German, and French options are all included.
- Rewind Feature: No more rage quits! Rewind time to fix your mistakes.
- Quick Save/Quick Load: Save and load anywhere, making those tough stages a bit more manageable.
- Customizable Controls: Remap the buttons to suit your play style.
- Rapid Fire: Lay down some serious suppressive fire.
- Boost Functionality: Enhanced boost system for better maneuverability.
- Increased Durability: Take a bit more damage before going down.
- Hint Function: If you’re stuck, there’s a hint system to point you in the right direction.
- Modern Bug Fixes: Previously unattainable weapons are now unlockable!
Clear River Games, part of Embracer Freemode, focuses on bringing back classic retro games. Assault Suit Leynos 2 seems like a good fit for their catalog.
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Assault Suit Leynos 2 Saturn Tribute will be available digitally on March 21, 2025, for $24.99/€24.99, and physically on May 22, 2025, for $34.99/€34.99. It’s set for release on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch.
If you’re a fan of classic shooters, this one’s definitely worth keeping an eye on. It’s not just a re-release; it’s a proper revival. Learn more on the Clear River Games website.
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