With stunning visuals, solid gameplay, and a then-advanced soudntrack pushing the Genesis console to its full capabilities, Streets of Rage 2 is a must-play for anyone into the Beat 'Em Up genre. It is considered by many fans to be the greatest game in its respective series.

Bringing the roster of characters to 4 by introducing the strong-but-slow Max, and the fast-yet-weak kid Eddie/Sammy "Skate" Hunter (the younger brother of excluded original protagonist Adam Hunter) Streets of Rage 2 brings in plenty of strategy depending on which character(s) you select.

One year has passed since the events of Streets of Rage. Always ready to conquer the city once more, Mr. X kidnaps original protagonist Adam Hunter, and sets loose all of his punks on the streets, bringing the city once more into destructive turmoil. In response to Mr. X's return, the retired police officers Blaze Fielding and Axel Stone once more set forth into the streets of rage, this time with Adam's younger brother Skate, and Axel's wrestler friend Max, in hopes of permanently ending Mr. X's reign on the city and rescuing Adam.

The gameplay of Streets of Rage 2 is similar, yet more refined to the original game. The main protagonists walk to the right on a 2D-3D plane, stopping on occasion to beat through waves of punks and martial artists. In rare occurrences, certain everyday sights (trash cans, phone booths, tables, etc.) are on the playing field, and can be struck to obtain street weapons (knives, lead pipes, baseball bats, etc.) and healing items.

I. Overview:

This hack allows the player to play as the modified SOR3 versions of Axel, Blaze, Skate, and Shiva in SOR2. Unlike its predecessor ROF 2018, the game system has been completely upgraded.

The story is the same as The Return of the Fighters 2018. Shiva, who had become a state witness after the event of SOR3, joined Axel's team to fight Mr. X and save the city.

II. Features:
*Shiva replaces Max as a playable character with portrait.
*All playable characters have SOR3 style appearances with some modifications.
*All playable characters can run (with weapon animations).
*All playable characters can change direction and turn around while running.
*All playable characters can jump further while running.
*The command to run (f, f) becomes more sensitive.
*Players can still move after defeating each boss.
*KO count of the players is displayed.
*Defensive Special and Offensive Special will cost 10 KO count if the player's KO count is greater than or equal to 10. Otherwise, they will cost 8 HP.
*When the player's health is less than or equal to 30%, Offensive Special becomes Desperate Super Combo, which is 50% more powerful with invulnerability.
*Axel, Blaze, and Shiva's blitz moves are adjustable.
*Kickboxers cannot block weapon attacks.
*Thugs' names are changed.
*Mania difficulty is directly accessible.
*Stage selection is available.

There are two IPS files included:
*SOR2_RoF_2019v104.IPS is version 1.04.
*SOR2_RoF_2019v104A.IPS is version 1.04A.
The only difference is that in 1.04A, you will hear Mr. X laughing if your character's health drops below 30%. Play V1.04 if this bothers you.


III. Move list:

Shiva:
*F, FB: Final Crash (Can use up and down to adjust the position before jumping up; Invulnerable until falling down)
*BC: Roundhouse Kick
*A: Dragon Kick
*FA: Fire ball
*FA: Super fire ball (Invulnerable, can only be performed when health is low)

Axel:
*F, FB: Tornado Grand Uppercut (Can use up and down to adjust the position; Invulnerable until the uppercut)
*BC: Uppercut
*Jump DB: Hurricane Kick
*A: Dragon Wing
*FA: Dragon Smash
*FA: Super Dragon Smash (Invulnerable until falling down; can only be performed when health is low)

Blaze:
*F, FB: Somersault Slide (Can use up and down to adjust the position when sliding, Invulnerable until sliding)
*BC: Backflip Kick
*Jump DB: Terra Shield
*A: Super Backflip Kick
*FA: Soul Fire
*FA: Super Soul Fire (Invulnerable, can only be performed when health is low)

Skate:
*F, FB: Flying Headbutt & Roll Kick
*BC: Reverse Flip Kick
*Jump DB: Corkscrew Kick
*A: Forward Flip Kick
*FA: Double Spin Kick (Can freely adjust the position)
*FA: Super Double Spin Kick (Can freely adjust the position, Invulnerable, can only be performed when health is low)

IV. Known glitches:
*Shiva's fire ball may cause graphical glitch in two players mode.
*As a side effect of the improvement of running system, running becomes very sensitive. Player can even run with half circle forward or half circle backward.

V. Special thanks to Huo Yan, Ivex, Lee Kuo-Chiang (Li Guo-Qiang), and ZYX for their advises.

You must apply the ips patch to this ROM:
No-Intro Name: Streets of Rage 2 (USA)
(No-Intro version 20130710-102701)
ROM/File SHA-1: 8B656EEC9692D88BBBB84787142AA732B44CE0BE

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