"You want the best 2-D shooter out there? Here it is!"

All Saturn owners are aware that Saturn perfected a dying genre - the 2-D shooter (Thunderforce, Metal Slug). Radiant Silvergun is no exception. As an overhead shooter (in the way of Raiden), you command a ship that already has all the weapons on it. The interesting thing is that the power-ups you receive improve the effectiveness of the weapons (damage, range, rate of fire, etc.), as opposed to collecting different weapons. There are weapons for every occasion, including the most impressive and ultra-cool Radiant Sword which can be used to clear the screen of badguys when full (which happens often in this non-stop action game).

Gameplay - The controls are very responsive, although when taking on a dozen missile boats, you wish your ship could move a little faster. No problem firing your multitude of weapons, and when two weapons are fired at once, they combine to form another different type of ordinance. Very cool! The enemies are not impossible, but are challenging, as are the levels.

Story - This game is in Japanese, and I am unable to read or speak the language. But who needs to understand what's going on when you are destroying everything you can see! If you can read Japanese, you are in luck. There is dialogue between various pilots inbetween scenes telling about your next mission (I am assuming).

Sound - Very fitting effects for all weapons as well as explosions. I'd expect no less from a masterpiece such as this.

Graphics - Even though it is an overhead shooter, the ships and enemies and backgrounds are textured so well that they are essentially 3-D. The end bosses are massive metal works of art themselves, and their immense weapon blasts are also top-notch. Nothing bad to speak of, especially the Radiant Sword animation.

Replayability - This game is actually pretty hard, and should present a decent challenge. It does take a while to complete, however you can save your game and continue with your weapon loadout from your last save point (which is good because as the levels get harder, you really need it!). It is fun to go back and play the game again and marvel at the great graphics.

Overall - This game is probably the best of its genre for any system, matched only maybe by Metal Slug. The games are hardly comparable even as 2-D shooters, but they both are the best around. This game (if you can find it) new runs about $70 (check out www.gamecave.com), which is kind of steep for the average Saturn owner. However, most Saturn owners only have their Saturns for the high-quality imports that are out there. This game would receive a rating of 11 if is was domesticated, but what can you do? This is the type of game that even a hater of 2-D shooters would love, maybe even convert. Unfortunately for the Saturn, there are very few gems such as these available, and inevitably led to the system's downfall. Still, Radiant Silvergun is the centerpiece of any Saturn-owner's collection.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 01/04/00, Updated 01/04/00