8.4 /10 1 Votes
7.5/10 Destructoid Cabinet Upright Series Raiden | 9/10 Steam 4.4/5 GOG Initial release date 7 June 2007 Developer MOSS | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Genre(s) Vertical scrolling shooter Mode(s) Single player, 2 player Co-op Arcade system Taito Type X
NESiCAxLive Platforms Arcade game, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Microsoft Windows Publishers Taito, MOSS, UFO Interactive Games, H2O Interactive Similar Raiden games, Taito games, Shoot 'em up games | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Raiden iv arcade original 2 all clear 66 473 960
Raiden IV (雷電IV, Raiden Fō) is a vertical scrolling shooting video game developed by MOSS that was first released for the arcades in Japan in 2007. A home conversion was produced for the Xbox 360 in 2008. A later version was released for Taito's NESiCAxLive. An updated version of the game, entitled Raiden IV: OverKill has also been released for the PlayStation 3, and Microsoft Windows.
Contents
- Raiden iv arcade original 2 all clear 66 473 960
- 15 minutes of game raiden iv overkill
- Gameplay
- Weapons
- Game modes
- Synopsis
- Development
- NESiCAxLive version
- Raiden IV OverKill
- Soundtrack
- Track listing
- Reception
- References
15 minutes of game raiden iv overkill
Gameplay
The gameplay of Raiden IV is identical to its prior instalments, although its level design is different than Raiden III, but it is exactly the same as Raiden II, as the player starts from in-land, over the farms. In later levels the game progresses through a vast cityscape, into the sky, and finally onward to space. The player faces many enemies, powerful stages, and fearsome bosses. The Flash Shot System, first introduced in Raiden III, returns in IV. Multipliers are given for destroying enemies that just appeared on screen; the faster players destroy enemies, the higher the bonuses are.
Weapons
As with previous Raiden titles, the ship fires simultaneously with two weapons: the main weapon and the sub-weapon. Weapons have a power level, which increases by collecting individual powerups. In addition there are bombs that fill more or less the whole screen, harming enemies and dissolving all enemy shots. At the beginning of the game or after the player dies, the default weapons are a three-way Vulcan (see below), a marked increase of firepower over the one-way Vulcan of the previous Raiden games, no secondary weapon and three bombs (the number of bombs can be altered as a game option). The weapons, bombs and bonus items, like fairies, in Raiden III are retained and works the same as before in this game.
Game modes
The Arcade Mode is the original version of the game, and consists of 2 types of gameplay: Light and Original. Light gameplay has an easier difficulty, meant for beginners and players new to the genre, while Original generates more enemies, faster bullets and slightly more complicated boss patterns.
The Xbox 360 Mode is exclusive to the home version and contains new enemy ships and 2 new stages and bosses not found in the arcade version. Stages can be selected to start playing once the level has been initially cleared. The game supports eight different difficulty levels.
Synopsis
The Cranassians have returned again after numerous defeats against humanity. The World Alliance Military immediately launches the Raiden mk-II and its blue counterpart, the "Raiden mk-II Beta" to stop the invasion and save the Earth.
Development
NESiCAxLive version
This version was designed for the NESiCAxLive arcade download system. The game was unveiled on 2011-02-22 in AOU2011.
New features include perfect mode, which incorporates the 7-stage game from the Xbox 360 version of Raiden IV, and background music from Ultimate of Raiden soundtrack, and allow using Fairy fighter.
Raiden IV: OverKill
This version includes two new missions, 3 fighter types (Fighting Thunder ME-02 Kai, Fighting Thunder Mk-II, Fairy), a new OverKill Mode, and a Replay&Gallery Mode.
Addition Mode includes 7 rearranged stages, without mission stage bonus.
Soundtrack
Raiden IV -Ultimate of Raiden- is a video game soundtrack CD by INH. It includes Arcade, Xbox360, and remixed versions of game music tracks from older and current Raiden games, with a total of 27 tracks. The OST was included with the X360 version of game for a limited time. INH has also offered a special PDF file DVD by pre-ordering from their site. The disc named Raiden IV Secret File, contains player ship specifications, enemy combat data, strategies for the game and concept art. This Secret File is also available from American distributor UFO Interactive Games via a code printed on the American version of the CD.
Track listing
All tracks written by Go Sato, except where noted.
Reception
Raiden IV has received below average review scores upon its U.S. release, with both IGN and the Official Xbox Magazine scoring it a 6 out of 10. IGN's Eric Brudvig writes: "Though at first glance you might think there are 14 levels in Raiden IV ... there are in fact only seven with the second half of the game merely repeating the first.... UFO Interactive went ahead and added insult to injury with its use of downloadable content. After dishing out $40 for the game, you'll find that only one of the three ships on the main menu can be used. The other two must be purchased through Xbox Live." Backlash over the pay to play ships has created controversy at several gaming forums, leading gamers to wonder whether the extra content is worth the price to obtain them.