Got this in the post yesterday and played it for a good few hours last night. Its a direct follow-up to Raiden III and is very similar in terms of style and gameplay. No major fundamental changes have taken place between the games, just a few small differences.
The most significant of which is probably the weaponry since the bendy purple Plasma Laser from Raiden II/DX is back (Yay!). This is the one that can be swayed left/right and locks-on to enemies and curls wildly all over the screen as it picks up other targets. The more straight-laced Proton Laser from Raiden III also returns, but this time fires a trio of beams in a V formation. It can also be swayed left and right like the Plasma but it doesn't lock-on to anything like that does.
Both of these weapons are equipped by collecting the purple powerup tokens, but you have to choose which of the two styles you want before the game begins. The regular Laser (blue powerup) and Vulcan (red) are the same as before. As are the missiles.
The "Flash Shot" system from Raiden III that rewarded you for killing enemies extrememly quickly is retained but this time the multiplier is worth 5.0 at maximum. Other than this, not a great deal has changed tbh.
Despite this, I am enjoying this considerably more than it's predecessor (which has its critics, but I liked). The ship movement feels better (III felt sluggish, IMO) and the level design is improved, plus of course the Plasma Laser is pure WIN. That said, I still feel that any of the games in Raiden Fighters Aces are generally more fun.
Actually, coming to this on the back of the RF series (which is admitedly easier than all other Raiden games) and the first thing you notice is how goddamn difficult Raiden IV is by comparison. I've only been playing normal difficulty "Xbox 360 Mode" so far, which has some different enemies and 2 extra levels.
The first couple of stages offer a pretty gentle introduction but then it really starts getting tough and more and more hectic towards the final Boss. (I've credit-fed my way through it). Manage that, and you're sent back to the beginning again for a 2nd loop, which is just insane. I think I can safely say the 1CC achievements won't be getting earned by me.
Aside from the quality of the game, this is a good package. There's LIVE leaderboards, a replay feature, TATE options (90? or 270?) and a number of different play modes - Arcade, Score Attack etc and most can be played in "Double Play" fashion where you use one controller to play a 2P game. The first print also comes with the Ultimate of Raiden music CD by INH, which has normal and remix versions of this game's music (which isn't bad) and also a few remixed tunes from older games in the series.
.
Comment