<p><center><img src="https://i.imgur.com/rUTKVpU.jpg" /></center>
<sub><a href="https://www.lukiegames.com/Space-Harrier-II-Sega-Genesis-Game.html">Image source</a></sub></p>
<p><em>Space Harrier II</em> is the console sequel to the arcade game <em>Space Harrier</em>, developed and published by Sega of Japan in 1988. It was one of the original launch titles released for the Sega Mega Drive in Japan and one of the six Genesis launch titles in North America.</p>
<p>This game weirded me out when I first played it during the early 1990s. But over the years I have come to slowly appreciate its greatness as a video game classic.</p>
<h3>The Story</h3>
<p>Deep in the 214th sector of the universe, a distress signal is sent from the Fantasyland dimension. It is under attack and besieged by many monstrous beings. </p>
<p>But help is on the way! The heroic Space Harrier came in through the time warp via intergalactic teleportation. Armed with that powerful laser blaster that made Space Harrier victorious before in the first game. The monsters are everywhere. So keep your eyes on them, shoot fast, and keep moving. One false move and it's all over for you and Fantasyland!</p>
<p><center><img src="https://i.imgur.com/KVJGU0M.jpg" /></center>
<center><em>Sega Genesis box, manual and cartridge of the game</em> (<a href="https://gramho.com/explore-hashtag/spaceharrier2">image source</a>)</center></p>
<h3>The Graphics and Sound</h3>
<p>As an early Sega Genesis title and for that time, I think it fairly pulled off the 3D graphic effects quite well. The weird enemies in this game come in variety, ranging from small critters to fantasy beasts to robots. Sometimes though, it can be very hard to tell how close your character is to a target or object, which may cost you some lives.</p>
<p>This game has a nice variety of catchy music, even the enemy bosses have their own theme music. Sound effects are good. Whenever your hero character, Harrier, gets killed, he screams like a bitch only to regenerate a second later with an enthusiastic &quot;Get Ready!&quot;</p>
<p><center><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4B3Taj-GESc" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></center>
<center><em>Gameplay sample of Space Harrier II on the Sega Genesis</em></center></p>
<h3>The Gameplay</h3>
<p>Harrier, our blond, jumpsuit-wearing hero, is always running toward the horizon, and has the crazy ability to fly without any help. He is also armed with a big laser blaster, which can be fired only forward. He travels through the strange dimension of Fantasyland shooting various obstacles and enemies.</p>
<p>There is a fun bonus stage after every 4 levels. It is a good chance to earn up a lot of extra lives. 13 stages must be cleared before your final showdown with the final boss, Dark Harrier. My only complaint is that there are no powerups and all you do is blast the enemies, avoid the obstacles, kill the boss. But it is still a rather fun game.</p>
<p>The replay value is mediocre. After you beat Space Harrier II, there really is not anything else to accomplish. There are no secrets to get, it is just damn shooting. Still, you can still play it from time to time. Truly an arcade game.</p>
<h3>My Verdict</h3>
<p>If you have Space Harrier II or can find it, play this game. It is worth it just for its strange shooting style and false 3D effects. With having no blood effects, I recommend this arcade-style classic shooter game to everyone of all ages.</p>
<p>Go play this one on the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive or on your favorite emulators.</p>
<h4>Let's keep on gaming in the free world!</h4>