The Raiden Project

The Raiden Project

Developer(s) Seibu Kaihatsu
Publisher(s)

Series Raiden
Platform(s) PlayStation
Release date(s)
  • JP January 27, 1995
  • NA September 9, 1995
  • PAL November, 1995
Genre(s) Vertical scrolling shooter
Mode(s) Single player, multiplayer

The Raiden Project, originally released in Japan as simply Raiden Project (雷電プロジェクト) is a port of the arcade games Raiden and Raiden II to the PlayStation. It was released in North America as an original launch title on September 9, 1995, in Japan on January 27, 1995 and in Europe in November 1995. This would be the only time that Raiden II would be released on a console. The game is an arcade perfect port (hence Project), not emulated. Probably because emulating this game on PS1 hardware is not feasible.

Plot

Raiden is the name of the fighter/bomber that the player flies to destroy and rid mankind of the aliens that have invaded Earth in 2090. Raiden II picks up three years after the player has destroyed the first invasion of aliens and faces a new invasion.

Gameplay

Raiden consists of eight vertical scrolling missions where the player maneuvers the Raiden craft dodging and destroying enemy robots, buildings, ground targets, and aircraft. There are bombs and missile powerups as well as collectable medals which add to the score. Raiden II is similar, and has additional weapons, new enemies and terrains.

The game can be played alone against the computer hordes or another player can join along to fight simultaneously. There are several types of "weapons" and "power-ups" the player can acquire by destroying enemies that make the Raiden ships more powerful and destructive. One of the most unique and recognizable weapons from "Raiden" are the thermonuclear bombs. They are perfect for destroying almost everything on the screen and softening up tough end-of-level bosses.

Additions in the port

The opening animation is a 3D rendering of the player's ship taking on the first stage boss, complete with blue lasers and large explosion. Interestingly, the animation has a cycling lighting environment. If you watch it a few times, it goes from day to dusk, to night and back. Follow the on-screen commands to view it without the logo / options.

Raiden Project includes a Horizontal Mode. Users of widescreen format televisions / monitors could turn their sets vertical and play the game in its proper arcade aspect ratio. Game warns players as doing this can cause possible damage the monitors/TV. There were a select few other U.S. PlayStation games that supported this concept.

Other options abound in this arcade conversion including difficulty settings, credit limits, remixed music, on screen text positioning and the ability to save your high scores with a memory card.

Reception

On release, Famicom Tsūshin scored the game a 27 out of 40.[1]

References

  1. ↑ PLAYSTATION CROSS REVIEW: 雷電プロジェクト. Weekly Famicom Tsūshin. No.333. Pg.24. 5 May 1995.

External links