I had a Sega Saturn when it first launched back in 1994, but Assault Suit Leynos 2 wasn’t one of the games I had access to. Since it never got an official release outside Japan, it stayed off my radar until now. With Assault Suit Leynos 2 Saturn Tribute, we’re finally getting the full package—English menus and dialogue, control remapping, and quality-of-life features that make this once-inaccessible mech shooter playable for a wider audience.
This is part of City Connection’s Saturn Tribute series, which brings rare Saturn titles to modern platforms. Alongside the usual rewind and save state options, this version includes gameplay assists that help tone down the difficulty. That said, Leynos 2 doesn’t pull any punches. It’s a fast, demanding shooter with limited resources, constant action, and little room for mistakes.
If you’re into mechs or curious about 90s Saturn-era action games, this one might catch your interest. There’s a lot going on here—and plenty to unpack.
Mission Briefings That Finally Make Sense
Assault Suit Leynos 2 keeps its storytelling tight and mission-focused. You’re one of several pilots in an ongoing war, tasked with clearing out enemy forces, escorting convoys, and surviving impossible odds. Unlike earlier entries in the series, this isn’t a solo operation—you’re part of a squad now, and the radio chatter during missions helps sell that. Conversations pop up mid-battle, and between-mission briefings give context to what you’re doing and why it matters.
For the first time, all of that is fully accessible in English. The Saturn Tribute version includes a complete translation of the dialogue, menus, and objectives. That change alone makes a big difference. What used to be a trial-and-error grind now feels more structured. You know who’s talking, what your mission is, and what’s at stake.
There’s a mission where your squad splits up, and you’re left holding a key defensive position alone. The comms chatter shifts from sarcastic banter to actual concern, and I found myself more dialed in than I expected. It’s a small thing, but finally understanding those interactions added some much-needed weight to the mission.
The story itself won’t win any awards—it’s more setup than payoff—but it gives enough structure to carry the campaign. The translation doesn’t feel stiff either. Most lines feel natural, and even the mid-mission complaints or calls for help come through clearly without sounding forced.
Shoot, Shield, Survive
Assault Suit Leynos 2 is built around fast-paced side-scrolling action with heavy mech customization. You’re constantly managing six weapon slots, limited ammo, an energy shield, and a dash boost that overheats if used too long. The missions throw everything at you—waves of airborne enemies, screen-filling bosses, and moments where survival feels barely possible. It’s tough, but never aimless.
Between missions, you can change your mech’s loadout. There are nearly 50 weapons and 8 different suits to choose from, each with trade-offs in speed, armor, and capacity. You unlock more options by scoring high ranks in missions, which gives the game solid replay value.
During the convoy escort mission, things got hectic fast. You’re forced to protect multiple targets while enemies drop landmines across the route. I remember scrambling to keep my main cannon trained on airborne units while manually switching to a mine-sweeping weapon every few seconds. Meanwhile, my shield energy was draining fast, and the convoy started taking damage. It was one of the first times I had to really think about ammo conservation, timing dashes to dodge, and using auto-aim sparingly so I didn’t lock onto the wrong target.
Control-wise, the game takes some adjustment. The original Saturn controller had six face buttons, while modern ones use triggers and bumpers for extra functions. Assigning weapon slots across shoulder buttons can feel awkward at first, but the ability to remap controls helps. Once you get comfortable with how your weapons are spread out, the pacing starts to feel smooth—especially when dashing and boosting become second nature.
A 90s Look That Still Delivers
Visually, Assault Suit Leynos 2 Saturn Tribute stays true to its Saturn roots. The game uses detailed 2D sprites with smooth animation and plenty of on-screen effects. Explosions look sharp, especially during larger battles, and the scaling during boss encounters adds a sense of scope. Each mission has a distinct visual style, with layered backgrounds and clean design that still holds up.
Enemy designs and mech models are sharp, and the screen rarely feels cluttered despite the constant action. Text and menus are easy to read, and the English localization makes objectives and dialogue much clearer. In-mission dialogue boxes appear without interrupting gameplay and keep pace with the action.
The FMV intro remains untouched and looks rough compared to the rest of the package. It’s low-resolution and choppy—a clear product of the original hardware. While faithful, it stands out as the weakest part of the presentation. Fortunately, it’s short and doesn’t affect the gameplay experience.
The audio gets the job done without drawing much attention. Explosions sound punchy, and the soundtrack supports the action without getting in the way. Dialogue and mission briefings are brief but clearly delivered.
Performance is stable throughout. There’s no slowdown or stuttering, and inputs feel responsive even during busy encounters.
Brutal, Old-School, and Worth Unlocking
Assault Suit Leynos 2 Saturn Tribute doesn’t make many concessions. Even with save states, rewinds, and gameplay assists, it’s still a demanding mech shooter that expects you to learn its systems and survive under pressure. That challenge can be frustrating at first, especially with limited ammo, aggressive enemies, and awkward early-game controls. But if you stick with it, there’s a lot of depth to uncover.
The customization system is one of the game’s strongest points. Unlocking new suits and weapons gives you more ways to approach missions, and scoring higher ranks becomes more satisfying once you know how to manage your gear. The new English localization also makes a real difference. Dialogue that was once locked behind a language barrier now helps bring out the personality of your squad and gives context to each mission.
Coming back to this as someone who had a Saturn in my teens, I found myself wondering why I hadn’t tried importing it back then. There’s something satisfying about finally playing a game that always felt out of reach. It’s rough around the edges, but now that it’s more accessible, I’m glad it got another chance.
If you’re into 2D action, mechs, or Saturn-era design, this is one to try. It’s not for everyone, but for the right audience, it delivers exactly what it sets out to do.
Assault Suit Leynos 2 Saturn Tribute
Summary
Assault Suit Leynos 2 Saturn Tribute brings back a challenging mech shooter with deep customization and tight, side-scrolling action. The English localization and assist options make it more approachable, but the difficulty still hits hard. Controls take time to adjust to, and the FMV intro hasn’t aged well, but the game’s core remains strong. If you’re into classic 2D shooters with a high skill ceiling, this one’s worth your time.
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