Do you think the game is workable for just 2 people, 1 mc and one player? If so would you recommend the mc control a strider who takes more of a sidekick role, or would it work fine to just have 1 strider?
I think it would be pretty demanding on the MC, and a number of playbooks are designed to work off of and support a team—there's an entire set of mechanics around teamwork. However, if you think the MC of your two-player game can keep up with a sidekick-strider, then it might work out well!