Raiden IV

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Raiden IV

Developer(s)	MOSS Ltd
Publisher(s)	Taito
Release date(s)	2006
Genre(s)	Vertical scrolling shooter
Mode(s)	Single player, 2 player Co-op
Platform(s)	Arcade, Xbox 360
Input	Gamepad
Arcade cabinet	Upright
Arcade system(s)	Taito Type X

Raiden IV is an arcade game that follows up from the events of its precursor, Raiden III. It was developed by the Japanese company Moss Ltd, under the license of Seibu Kaihatsu, and currently in co-operation with Taito. Raiden IV seamlessly blends classic gameplay with new graphics and ideas into one package.

1 History
2 Gameplay
- 2.1 Player ships
- 2.2 Weapons
  - 2.2.1 Main shots
  - 2.2.2 Sub-shots
3 Ports
4 Trivia
5 External links

[edit] History

Raiden IV had made its first location test that was held at Hey in late July, on an Egret II system. Its version had three difficulties: Easy, Medium, and Hard, as well as including the feature that the 1P has a plasma laser, while the 2P has a proton laser. The "ground door" that opens to reveal the Level 1 boss consists of "bushes" and "roads". Cutscenes are seen showing the first boss exploding, but, it does not show the second boss exploding, however.

Raiden IV was featured at the AMS 2006 in September, in which it is installed on the VEWLIX system. This recent version featured three new difficulty levels: Light, Original, and Strong, as well as the two "purple laser" selections (Plasma and Proton Laser, respectively). It also featured the improved graphics, with better-designed and more detailed enemy ships, much better backgrounds, and better explosions that even top the spectacular ones seen in Under Defeat.

[edit] Gameplay

The gameplay of Raiden IV is identical to its prior installments, 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.

The power ups are in the shape of colored crystals, each color represents a weapon group. If the player continues to collect the same color, their weapon increases in power. The player faces many enemies, powerful stages, and fearless bosses. Bombs can be used to get players out of tight spots or to inflict great damage on enemies, but these are in short supply.

[edit] Player ships

There are two player ships each, depending on the play mode, whether it is double, dual, or solo, which is both named "Fighting Thunder ME-02" and nick-named Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Death Thunder, respectively.

[edit] Weapons

[edit] Main shots

Vulcan

Fires many weak shots at once in a fan shape. Successive power-ups increase the width of the blast, allowing the ship to attack foes in front of it diagonally. This is highly recommended for beginning players.

Laser

This is extremely powerful, but only attacks in a line directly extending from the ship. It is recommended that players wait until they've reached intermediate skill before they start making use of this.

Plasma Laser / Proton Laser

P1's Plasma Laser locks onto a specific strong enemy, with its length lashing around to strike other enemies as the ship moves around. P2's Proton Laser will always move ahead, but it slants away from the ship's horizontal position--with skill, one can make the Proton Laser train onto a specific foe. Also, this weapon pierces foes, attacking enemies behind even undestroyed vessels. These are best suited for expert players, since they do not have the raw power of the other two weapons.

[edit] Sub-shots

Nuclear missile

Meant for attacking enemies directly in front of you. It fans out somewhat as it moves forward.

Homing missile

Targets enemies closest to the fighter and pursues them independently.

Radar missile

Once launched, it will seek out the closest enemy in front of it. Unlike homing missiles, radar missiles cannot turn; if the target gets behind them, they lock onto the next enemy in front.

[edit] Ports

UFO Interactive announced that an Xbox 360 version of the game is being developed: it isn't known if it will be a retail game or an Xbox Live Arcade one.