Shinyuden and Ratalaika Games are back with sequel Cyber Citizen Shockman 2: A New Menace. Are you ready? Then check our Cyber Citizen Shockman 2: A New Menace review!

 

Shinyuden and Ratalaika Games are back with sequel Cyber Citizen Shockman 2: A New Menace. The previous game, which I got to review on PlayStation 5 back in May, marked the first time that game had landed in the West after remaining as a Japan exclusive for decades. This sequel, known in Japan as Kaiz? Ch?jin Shubibinman 2: Aratanaru Teki did get a US release way back in 1992 on the Turbografx-16, which means it’s been over 30 years since this one was made available to the public.

The game’s story takes place two years after the events of Cyber Citizen Shockman, and you’ll be playing as either Tasuke (Arnold in the US version) or Kyapiko (Sonya in the US version), who must give it their all in order to destroy all enemies on their path to clear each stage so that they can save the scientist. Why? Because the scientist is in big trouble after being kidnapped by the evil Rhyo Empire.

 

You can play either the Japanese version, the 1992 US version, or the 2023 version with a new English translation. Along with the regular stages that will have you running and jumping through each location as you try to avoid deadly obstacles and defeat all enemies on your path, you’ll also find some shoot ‘em up levels. These are old-school sidescrolling segments during which you’ll have to focus on shooting at everything on your path before you take on the big boss at the end of the level.

The controls for this 2D action game are simple and to the point. You’ll control your character of choice with the left analog stick or the D-Pad, jumping with the X button and attacking with the Square button. If you press and hold down the Square button, you can charge up your attack to unleash a more powerful energy bolt. Since this one has some quality-of-life elements to consider, you should know that you can rewind the action by pressing and holding down the L2 button, as well as fast-forward things by pressing and holding down the R2 button. You can also map a button to act as a turbo attack.

As you defeat enemies, they will drop some items. These include red batteries that will add some life to your life gauge or black batteries that will fill your life gauge. These are important because, if you’re not careful, your life gauge can end up reaching zero, and then it’s game over, and you’ll need to learn from your mistakes to give it another go. You should also collect bits since they will allow you to shoot more powerful weapons that are needed to be able to destroy some enemies.

If you go into the Gallery menu, you’ll be able to check the game’s manual for its English version, as well as the Japanese version. The manuals are very different since the US one goes for a more serious tone with a black-and-white presentation, while the Japanese one is presented in color with cheerful characters and a couple of mini-comics to check out. There are also illustrations used for creating the game that you should definitely check out.

Trophy-wise, this release has a full trophy list with a Platinum trophy for you to work on. And since it’s a Cross-Buy title, if you own a PlayStation 5 console, you can download both the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 versions of the game at no extra cost. Each list is split into 2 Bronze trophies, 4 Silver trophies, and 10 Gold trophies. As long as you complete the game, you’ll get most of the trophies. There are two trophies tied to collecting bits to power up your character, but for those, you need to rely on enemies dropping them after being defeated.

Cyber Citizen Shockman 2: A New Menace brings us a sequel that expands on what the previous one did by giving us better graphics, tighter gameplay mechanics, and some shoot ‘em up levels that help to change the pace along the way. It’s definitely an improvement, but it’s very much a game that does show its age. Cyber Citizen Shockman 2: A New Menace is available as a Cross-Buy title, so your $5.99 purchase will allow you to download both the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 versions of the game at no extra cost.

Disclaimer
This Cyber Citizen Shockman 2: A New Menace review is based on a PlayStation 5 copy provided by Ratalaika Games.