Cliffhanger

About

Cliffhanger is a side-scrolling brawler that follows the 1993 Sylvester Stallone movie. You play Sly, navigating mountain peaks while alternating between platforming sections, like climbing rocks or dodging avalanches, and beat-em-up fights against gangs. Combat uses a simplified control scheme with basic punches and kicks, though hit registration can feel loose. The game splits time between action sequences and environmental challenges, with levels structured around movie scenes. A two-player mode lets friends team up for the whole adventure. The game leans heavily into its source material, with stages mirroring key moments from the film. Cartridge versions use animated cutscenes to advance the story while Sega CD editions insert clips from the movie itself. Though the fighting mechanics lack the depth of contemporaries like Streets of Rage 2, the mix of platforming and brawling offers a distinct rhythm. Community reviews often note the repetitive pattern of "hazard then fight" segments but praise the co-op mode for keeping sessions lively. Released during the 16-bit era’s peak, it’s a relic of movie-based games that prioritized style over polish.