History VideoGame / CannonDancer

* AmazingTechnicolorBattlefield: Albeit the whole game is one big technicolor world.
* AttackPatternAlpha: Teki's ''[[GratuitousGerman Da Rudel Taktik.]]''

* AxCrazy: Wilf.

* BackgroundBoss: In a sense, Cannons' mecha, although you can't hit it (Cannons is the actual target).
** [[spoiler: Slaver.]]
* BadassLongcoat: Cannons.
* BigBad: Jack Layzon.

* BossRush
* TheBrute: Wilf fits into this nicely.

* ChainsawGood: The Gamran boss.
* {{Cult}}: Named "Slaver" as well, and carrying terrorist ideologies.
* DarkActionGirl: Tianon.

* DeceptiveDisciple: If Cannons' claim is to be believed...

* DominoMask: Cannons uses one.
* DoppelgangerAttack: Kirin's signature technique and very unique gameplay mechanic.

* EverythingsBetterWithSpinning: Wilf's modus operandi in his boss fight.

* FalseFriend: Both Wilf and Cannons openly declare their dislike of Kirin before fighting him on Layzon's behalf.

* GasMaskMooks: Most of the human {{Mooks}} are this.
* GirlishPigtails: Tianon.
* AGodAmI: [[spoiler: In the ending. Implied to be said by Kirin, maybe...]]

* GreaterScopeVillain: [[spoiler: Slaver, eventually.]]

* HeroicMime: Kirin. [[spoiler: In the ending, it's implied he gets the last line, though.]]
* HumongousMecha: Gamran and Eurogam.

* ManOfWealthAndTaste: Cannons.

* MirrorBoss: Fake, an identical Kirin clone fought during the last stage's BossRush.

* OhCrap: [[spoiler: Jack Layzon just as Kirin appears on his chamber.]]
* {{Pirate}}: The (very random) pirate group Kirin meets and joins in Stage 4.
* ThePlan: Jack Layzon's plan to get the cult arrested.
* ProfessionalKiller: All members of Teki.
* QuirkyMinibossSquad: The Teki trio.
* RoaringRampageOfRevenge
* SculptedPhysique: Everyone, including the government officer who has no fighting part.
* ShesGotLegs: Tianon.
* ShiftingSandLand: Stage 3.
* ShipLevel: Stage 4.
* ShirtlessScene: Jack Layzon in the intro cutscene, for no adequately explored reason.

* SmartBomb
* SpiritualSuccessor: Of ''VideoGame/{{Strider}}.''
* TeleportSpam: Cannons' tactic.
* TreacherousQuestGiver

* UnwittingPawn: Kirin in the first half.
* WallCrawl: Osman can cling on smooth walls, an ability often used to dodge attacks or reach power-ups in hard-to-acess spots. More than one boss area have walls in order for Osman to evade otherwise unavoidable projectiles.
* WolverineClaws: Wilf's WeaponOfChoice.
* YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness: Kirin gets blasted for his efforts.

''Cannon Dancer'' (known as ''Osman'' [[MarketBasedTitle in English]]) is an {{UsefulNotes/Arcade|Game}} PlatformGame released by Mitchell Corp. in 1996, and it's often called the SpiritualSuccessor of Creator/{{Capcom}}'s ''VideoGame/{{StriderArcade'' (which is reinforced by the fact they both were designed by the same guy). Controlling a badass mercenary known as Kirin, the player goes through very colorful stages, [[{{Gorn}} kicking everything into gory death]] along the way. Kirin has an asortment of special skills, including a slide, Izuna Drop esque throw, and upgrades that allow him to generate [[DoppelgangerAttack energy copies of himself,]] which stand where they are generated and mimic his actions, making for some interesting tactics and strategies with them.

''Cannon Dancer'' (known as ''Osman'' [[MarketBasedTitle in English]]) is an {{UsefulNotes/Arcade|Game}} PlatformGame released by Mitchell Corp. in 1996, and it's often called the SpiritualSuccessor of Creator/{{Capcom}}'s first ''VideoGame/{{Strider}}'' game (which is reinforced by the fact they both were designed by the same guy). Controlling a badass mercenary known as Kirin, the player goes through very colorful stages, [[{{Gorn}} kicking everything into gory death]] along the way. Kirin has an asortment of special skills, including a slide, Izuna Drop esque throw, and upgrades that allow him to generate [[DoppelgangerAttack energy copies of himself,]] which stand where they are generated and mimic his actions, making for some interesting tactics and strategies with them.

* EvilVsEvil: Jack wants to destroy the Slaver to save his nation, perhaps even the world. But he also runs TheEmpire, attempts to have Kirin [[YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness disposed of]], and immediately enslaves the priestesses that Kirin rendered unable to fight after he defeated their patron god. [[spoiler: And Kirin himself is implied to TakeOverTheWorld in the ending.]]

* '''Tianon:''' One of the 4 members of Teki now against her former ally Kirin. She's a blonde pigtailed KickChick that can generate energy with her kicks. She tells Kirin she's been always wanting to fight him to the death, though there are also hints that she also has feelings for him.

* {{Badass}}: Kirin.

''Cannon Dancer'' (known as ''Osman'' [[MarketBasedTitle in English]]) is an {{UsefulNotes/Arcade|Game}} PlatformGame released by Mitchell Corp. in 1996, and it's often called the SpiritualSuccessor of Creator/{{Capcom}}'s first ''VideoGame/{{Strider}}'' game (which is reinforced by the fact they both were designed by the same guy). Controlling a {{Badass}} mercenary known as Kirin, the player goes through very colorful stages, [[{{Gorn}} kicking everything into gory death]] along the way. Kirin has an asortment of special skills, including a slide, Izuna Drop esque throw, and upgrades that allow him to generate [[DoppelgangerAttack energy copies of himself,]] which stand where they are generated and mimic his actions, making for some interesting tactics and strategies with them.

* HeroicMime: Kirin. [[spoiler: In the ending, it's implied he gets the last line, thought.]]

* ChainedToARock: How Kirin starts in Stage 2, complete with nearby monsters trying to chomp on him. He escapes almost immediately after regaining consciousness, of course.

''Cannon Dancer'' (known as ''Osman'' [[MarketBasedTitle in English]]) is an [[UsefulNotes/ArcadeGame Arcade]] PlatformGame released by Mitchell Corp. in 1996, and it's often called the SpiritualSuccessor of {{Capcom}}'s first ''VideoGame/{{Strider}}'' game (which is reinforced by the fact they both were designed by the same guy). Controlling a {{Badass}} mercenary known as Kirin, the player goes through very colorful stages, [[{{Gorn}} kicking everything into gory death]] along the way. Kirin has an asortment of special skills, including a slide, Izuna Drop-esque throw and upgrades that allow him to generate [[DoppelgangerAttack energy copies of himself]], which stand where they are generated and mimic his actions, making for some interesting tactics and strategies with them.

The game's plot is actually a bit {{Mind Screw}}y, albeit a good deal of it was actually LostInTranslation (including a slew of alternative dialogues for the bosses). Set in a dystopian future ruled by a single government, problems arise with the appearance of a terrorist sect known as "Slaver", which deifies one "God Without Form" by the same name. Director of Judicial Affairs Jack Layzon, tired of these guys, contracts the services of the main character to deal with them, but he's secretly [[UnwittingPawn only using Kirin to stir up trouble with them so he gets a legit reason to arrest the cultists]]. Once his job's done, Jack betrays Kirin and dumps him into a desert to die. Needless to say, Kirin survives and sets out on a quest to get {{Revenge}} on Layzon, though he'll have to go through all his troops, as well as his former allies who now want him dead. Things start getting really weird from that point onward...

The game's main characters are:
* '''Kirin''': TheHero, setting on a RoaringRampageOfRevenge against his traitorous contractor. Kirin forms part of a mercenary unit known as ''Teki'' (''Barbarian''), whose members are said to hone their bodies to the point of considering themselves "weapons for hire". Kirin is billed as a top class fighter and expert of a secret martial arts style.
* '''Jack Layzon''': Director of Judicial Affairs and the BigBad who sets the game into motion. Tired of the pesky cultists taking over his city, he uses Kirin to force them into conflict and justify their arrest, and then disposes of Kirin after the job's done. [[OrcusOnHisThrone Doesn't do much else afterwards]].
* '''Tianon''': One of the 4 members of Teki now against her former ally Kirin. She's a blonde pigtailed KickChick that can generate energy with her kicks. She tells Kirin she's been always wanting to fight him to the death, though there are also hints that she also has feelings for him.
* '''Cannons''': Second member of Teki, a tall man dressed in a black longcoat. He calls himself "Kirin's top student" and shows complete repulsion towards him, calling him an unrefined idiot who still fights bare-handed. On the other hand, his method of fighting involves [[TeleportSpam teleporting around]] while a TransformingMecha attacks from the background.
* '''Wilf''': The AxCrazy third member of Teki, a green-armored white-haired guy who uses a [[WolverineClaws metal hand claw]]. He's very open about his hatred of Kirin, while also wanting the other members of Teki dead so he can claim the title of the "Strongest Weapon".
* '''Slaver''': The mysterious goddess who appears midway through the game showing an odd interest in Kirin's massacres, as she "wants to see the world die". Things start getting really odd once Kirin's goal is achieved, though...

The game's garnered a sort of cult following over the years, and is slowly crawling into CultClassic territory.

* AttackPatternAlpha: Teki's ''[[GratuitousGerman Da Rudel Taktik]]''.

* DualBoss: Near the end of the game, Kirin faces the three Teki ''at the same time''.
* DubNameChange: Slaver to "Abdullah the Slaver", and Kirin to "Osman". Most stage locations are also given new names.

* GainaxEnding: After the final boss is defeated. [[spoiler:Slaver's face cracks and a single tear fall from her eye, landing on the Earth and turning it back into a more healthy color. Slaver then claims she's a god, being prompted by (allegedly) Kirin replying that he's "above god" (or, in English she claims to be king and he retorts with being the king of the world). Cue the credits.]]
* GasMaskMooks: Most of the human {{Mooks}} are this.
* GirlishPigtails: Tianon.
* AGodAmI: [[spoiler:In the ending. Implied to be said by Kirin, maybe...]]
* GratuitousGerman: During the DualBoss with the three Teki, they refer to their combined strategy as ''Da Rudel Taktik,'' the German name for the "Wolf Pack" tactic.

* UnstableEquilibrium: You lose powerups as you're hit. Manage not to get hit and you'll plow through the game.

* GratuitousGerman: During the DualBoss with the three Teki, they refer to their combined strategy as ''Da Rudel Taktik'', the german name for the "Wolf Pack" tactic.
* GreaterScopeVillain: [[spoiler:Slaver, eventually.]]
* HeroicMime: Kirin. [[spoiler:In the ending, it's implied he gets the last line, thought.]]

* MadLove: Tianon hints at having something for Kirin, calling him beautiful and even claiming he makes her body "stir up". But then she comes and claims she's been waiting for this deathmatch to happen...

* MindScrew: In-universe example: The "Forest of Memory" (stage 5) seems to have a mysterious effect on Kirin's perception and memories. The last surviving Teki then shows up and reveals Kirin has been DeadAllAlong, killed by his/her own hands, and even allows him to try to remember where he was killed to reenact the moment he died. [[spoiler:This is all a ploy trying to manipulate Kirin's perception and thus make him easier to kill. It doesn't work, obviously, and the "scenario" turns on the Teki.]]

* SpiritualSuccessor: Of ''VideoGame/{{Strider}}''.
* TeleportSpam: Cannons' tactic.

LostInTranslation: The translation changes or skews most of the dialogues. Even worse, each Teki has 3 different dialogues depending on the stage they are fought; these are removed and replaced by a generic single text shared by all three.

* LostInTranslation: The translation changes or skews most of the dialogues. Even worse, each Teki has 3 different dialogues depending on the stage they are fought; these are removed and replaced by a generic single text shared by all three.
* OhCrap: [[spoiler:Jack Layzon just as Kirin appears on his chamber.]]

* MindScrew: In-universe example: The "Forest of Memory" (stage 5) seems to have a mysterious effect on Kirin's perception and memories. The last surviving Teki then shows up and reveals Kirin has been DeadAllAlong, killed by his/her own hands, and even allows him to try to remember where he was killed to reenact the moment he died. [[spoiler:This is all a ploy trying to manipulate Kirin's perception and thus make him easier to kill. It doesn't work, obviously, and the "scenario" turns on the Teki.]]

* EnergyBeing: Herio, the [[PlayingWithFire boss made of fire]].

** It's also implied that [[spoiler:Kirin is this as well at the end, after accomplishing his revenge, he has no other motivation to fight other than pure bloodlust.]]

* DeadAllAlong: The revelation in Stage 5 is that Kirin was once killed before by one of the Teki (since the Teki's boss order can be switched around, whoever Kirin fights third will claim to be the killer..well, atleast in the [[LostInTranslation original Japanese game.]])

!!This game provides examples of:

* BackFromTheDead: Slaver is said to have the ability to ressurect those who died. The three Teki return in the final stage in this way.
* BackgroundBoss: In a sense, Cannons' mecha, although you can't hit it (Cannons is the actual target).
** [[spoiler:Slaver]].

''Cannon Dancer'' (known as ''Osman'' [[MarketBasedTitle in English]]) is an [[ArcadeGame Arcade]] PlatformGame released by Mitchell Corp. in 1996, and it's often called the SpiritualSuccessor of {{Capcom}}'s first ''VideoGame/{{Strider}}'' game (which is reinforced by the fact they both were designed by the same guy). Controlling a {{Badass}} mercenary known as Kirin, the player goes through very colorful stages, [[{{Gorn}} kicking everything into gory death]] along the way. Kirin has an asortment of special skills, including a slide, Izuna Drop-esque throw and upgrades that allow him to generate [[DoppelgangerAttack energy copies of himself]], which stand where they are generated and mimic his actions, making for some interesting tactics and strategies with them.

* BiggerBad: [[spoiler:Slaver, eventually.]]

* UnwittingPawn: Kirin in the first half.
* WhatDoYouMeanItWasntMadeOnDrugs

* CapitalCity: It's Prague.

* '''Tianon''': One of the 4 members of Teki now against her former ally Kirin. She's a [[HairOfGold blonde]] pigtailed KickChick that can generate energy with her kicks. She tells Kirin she's been always wanting to fight him to the death, though there are also hints that she also has feelings for him.

The game's plot is actually a bit {{Mind Screw}}y, albeit a good deal of it was actually LostInTranslation (including a slew of alternative dialogues for the bosses). Set in a dystopian future ruled by a single government, problems arise with the appearance of a terrorist sect known as "Slaver", which deifies one "God Without Form" by the same name. Director of Judicial Affairs Jack Layzon, tired of these guys, contracts the services of the main character to deal with them, but he's secretly [[XanatosGambit only using Kirin to stir up trouble with them so he gets a legit reason to arrest the cultists]]. Once his job's done, Jack betrays Kirin and dumps him into a desert to die. Needless to say, Kirin survives and sets out on a quest to get {{Revenge}} on Layzon, though he'll have to go through all his troops, as well as his former allies who now want him dead. Things start getting really weird from that point onward...

* XanatosGambit: Jack Layzon's plan to get the cult arrested.