14 DAY TRIAL // The second month of 2014 brings some surprising news, as far as PlayStation Network sales go, revealing that the number one downloaded game for the PlayStation 4 is neither Thief, nor Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition, but Strider, the little robot slashing ninja underdog that could.
There are several reasons why Strider deserves the attention, one of them being that various developers have been trying to make a viable remake of the game for ages, eventually failing to capture the original's atmosphere and gameplay style.
Double Helix became famous for its reboot of Killer Instinct, and it did a really good job reviving the game and delivering the same kind of furious combo-based fighting experience. And with the advent of Strider, it kind of looks like it's their thing now.
Capcom was swayed by its project pitch, and Double Helix managed to deliver a fun re-creation of the 1989 arcade game, complete with daring acrobatics, vertical platforming and climbing. You can check out our review of Strider, if you haven't already, and wish to learn more about how the dystopian world of Kazakh City can change your world.
The game certainly had a lot of hype around it and Strider has seen a very long absence from the gaming scene, and most likely the low price tag of only $15 / €15 certainly helped too. Also, the game is genuinely fun and looks great, even though it can become a little monotonous at times.
The much-higher profile games such as Thief and Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition had to tip their hats to the reboot of the arcade platformer, as it took the top spot of February's PlayStation 4 downloads.
Thief came in a close second, followed by LEGO Marvel Super Heroes and Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition. Next up we have Injustice: Gods Among Us Ultimate Edition, followed by Battlefield 4, Assassin's Creed: Freedom Cry and NBA 2K14, with Flower and Need for Speed: Rivals taking the last spots in the top 10.
The top 20 continues with Rayman Legends, Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, Madden NFL 25, Call of Duty: Ghosts, The LEGO Movie Videogame, EA Sports FIFA 14, flOw, Don't Starve: Console Edition, Outlast and Trine 2: Complete Story, showing a strong presence from not only the expected established franchises, but also from smaller independent developers.
Thatgamecompany's Flower and flOw are also surprising finds in the top 20, as they provide a considerably different experience from what typical next-gen titles have to offer, being intended more to relax and arouse positive emotions in the player than to offer challenging fast-paced gameplay or stunning visuals.