How does the song go? “This is not the greatest game in the world, this is just a tribute”.
Assault Suit Leynos 2: Saturn Tribute brings the classic Sega Saturn mech run and gun shooter to the Nintendo Switch, offering retro gamers a chance to experience a piece of gaming history. With its nostalgic visuals, customisable mechs, and challenging gameplay, this remake offers plenty to unpack. Here’s what you can expect.
Nostalgic Design with a Retro Touch
Assault Suit Leynos 2 retains the distinct aesthetic of its Sega Saturn origins. The pixel-heavy graphics, combined with the powerful soundtrack, evoke a strong sense of nostalgia for classic 90s gaming. Its presentation, from the clunky menus to the explosion effects, feels authentically retro, which will undoubtedly resonate with classic gamer fans but might be a challenge for more modern players as it feels very dated in comparison.
Gameplay Overview
The gameplay centers around piloting a customisable mech across a series of missions. Between missions, players can fine-tune their mechs by choosing weapons, parts, and stats to match their playstyle. From heavy-hitting rocket launchers to shields and dashing boosters, there’s an impressive range of tools to experiment with. This customisation element adds substantial depth, encouraging experimentation and allowing you to adapt your approach for each mission.
On the battlefield, there’s plenty to contend with including swarms of enemy mechs, aerial attacks, and massive bosses that often appear in rapid succession, making every mission feel intense. It some respects it feels more “coin-op” in that its desperatly seeking your next hard currency to chew up by making a section impossible to pass without taking damage. But thankfully it’s a console game so no further payment is required.
Players must learn to dash strategically, use shields efficiently, and manage limited weapon ammo to survive. The added auto-aim feature can help in targeting enemies but isn’t flawless, especially during chaotic battles so you’ll still need your wits about you.
Challenges and Difficulty
This is not a game for casual players. The challenge lies not only in mastering the controls but also in dealing with an onslaught of enemies. Ammo limitations and the need for constant movement to avoid damage force players to think tactically. The learning curve is steep, particularly for those unfamiliar with mech-based shooters or even retro-style difficulty.
For players struggling with the challenge, the game offers accessibility features. These include a rewind option to correct mistakes and an Extra Options menu with assists like boosted shield defence, reduced energy consumption, and extra mech armour. These features make the game more approachable without sacrificing its core difficulty.
Assault Suit Leynos 2 Saturn Tribute Features:
- Localised Text – For the first time, gamers can view the text in Spanish, German and French alongside Japanese and English.
- Rewind your game to correct fatal mistakes.
- Quick Save / Quick Load allows you to tackle each challenging stage at a time of your choice.
- Button Configuration allows gamers to configure the game as they wish.
- Rapid Fire adds further intensity to the shooting action.
- Enhanced Boost Functionality gives you the lift you need, adding further strategic opportunities.
- Increased Durability allows gamers to take a little more battle damage.
- Hint Function allows gamers to move through the game at an easier pace.
A Sense of Progression
Assault Suit Leynos 2 is great at rewarding you if you are persistant. Over time, players will come to understand their mech’s capabilities, refine strategies, and experiment with loadouts. Each victory, big or small, feels satisfying and drives the desire to tackle the next mission.
The inclusion however of support AI-controlled allies, while useful for adding firepower in combat, is largely ineffective when it comes to making a significant difference in tougher battles. Ultimately, success rests squarely on the player’s shoulders.
Verdict
Assault Suit Leynos 2: Saturn Tribute is a faithful homage to not just the Sega Saturn original but the retro era that it represents. Its nostalgic charm combined with gameplay depth makes it a compelling experience for those who appreciate retro games and mech shooters. However, its steep difficulty curve and gameplay quirks may alienate newcomers to the genre. Either way it’s a fantastic addition for collectors of the classics.
If you are willing to invest the time and effort to master its mechanics, you’ll uncover an engaging and rewarding experience. With its added accessibility features, the game manages to make itself more approachable while keeping its challenging retro spirit intact. If you’re seeking a demanding mech shooter that captures the essence of 90s gaming, this Saturn classic might just be for you.
Assault Suit Leynos 2 Saturn Tribute is available now digitally on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch, priced at $24.99 / €24.99 / £22.49, plus a 20% launch discount. The physical release is set for 22 May 2025, priced at $34.99 / €34.99.
To Learn More or to Secure Your Copy go here
