Raiden

"Top-view shooters are just plain better"

Perhaps the greatest arcade shooter I've ever played goes by the name of Raiden. Raiden is an arcade game of the "shooter" genre, which basically involves flying a ship back and forth shooting anything that moves, while at the same time avoiding the enemy shots that flood the screen. It differs from games like Gradius and R-Type, however, as it is a top-view, or overhead shooter, meaning you view your ship from above, as opposed to from the side. With this seemingly simple change to the formula, Raiden represents the mastery of the arcade shooter.

The object is simple: Shoot things, don't get hit. A unique aspect of the game is that the play area is actually almost twice as wide as the screen size, which scrolls left and right. Though most of the action takes place in the center of the stage, you can avoid some shots by taking advantage of the space you're given.

Gameplay: 8/10

The game starts out easier than most shooters, but becomes more challenging very quickly. The great thing about Raiden is that if you're hit and lose your upgrades, you're not completely screwed over. You can quickly get some upgrades back if you react fast enough. One problem one might have with the game is that the ships move somewhat slowly, and your speed can't be upgraded. This problem is minor, however, and shouldn't hinder one's enjoyment of the game.

Power-ups are easy to keep track of, and can be utilized without ever taking your concentration away from the action. Upgrades come in the form of small squares that change from red to blue; its current color at the time you grab it determines which type of shot you will have. Using the power-ups, you can switch between a wide-ranged volley of somewhat weak shots or a concentrated laser that quickly destroys anything in its path, as well as two different kinds of missiles. Both types of shots work well in varying situations, and the missiles can effectively balance out their weaknesses.

Game Mechanics: 10/10

The controls of Raiden are simplistic, but they work well. You have your shot button, which must be pressed rapidly to shoot, and the bomb button, which unleashes a massive explosion directly in front of you, taking down anything within its radius. The ships move fluidly; you'll never have a problem with getting hit because your ship wouldn't go the way you wanted it to.

The game's pacing is very nice. It goes fast enough for you to be on your guard at all times, but not so fast that you lose control. When your ship is destroyed, you tend to feel like you really deserved it, as the game is virtually free of bugs.

Visuals: 10/10

The graphics are solid. Every object blends into the game perfectly. The backgrounds are detailed well, and everything has great texture added to it. Furthermore, explosions are fiery and satisfying, which is a good thing, considering they make up a large portion of the game. Enemy shots can easily be seen, allowing you to react and avoid them. Finally, nothing in the background will ever distract you enough to cause you to lose your focus.

Audio: 9/10

The music, though hard to hear, is composed well and fits the situation. The real focus here is the sound effects. While not breathtaking, the sound effects are phenomenal for what they represent. I can still recall the sound of every shot or explosion that occurs during gameplay. Never once did I get sick of them. From the weak red shot to the explosion of a bomb, every sound fits in perfectly.

Replay Value: 8/10

Being an arcade game, Raiden never truly ends, so fans of the shooter genre should find themselves coming back to the game frequently. If you can, bring a friend along for even more fun. It does suffer from the same problem that plagues all arcade shooters; you have three lives and your ship explodes if struck once, so if you don't know exactly what you're doing, your game may be short-lived. If you take the time to become familiar with the level layouts, though, this will no longer bother you. Before you reach that mastery, bring money if you plan on making any progress.

Final Rating: 9/10

If you see this machine sitting around in an arcade, by all means, put some quarters into it. Play a round, see how high a score you can get in one go. With a forgiving learning curve and excellent mechanics, Raiden can appeal to any kind of gamer. For hours of blasting entertainment in a fighter jet, I can recommend no other game.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 01/25/05