The Raiden Project

The Raiden Project
Developer(s) Seibu Kaihatsu
Publisher(s)
Series Raiden
Platform(s) PlayStation
Release
  • 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 was the only console release of Raiden II and unlike previous ports, these versions are based directly on the arcade originals. The Project version of the first Raiden is available as a download from the Japanese PlayStation Network store, which can be played on either a PlayStation 3 or a PlayStation Portable.

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. Thermonuclear bombs destroy almost everything on the screen, the one exception being the 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.

Raiden Project includes a Horizontal Mode. Users of widescreen format televisions / monitors can turn their sets vertical and play the game in its proper arcade aspect ratio, though doing this can damage the monitors/TV.

The conversion includes difficulty settings, credit limits, selection between original and rearranged soundtrack, on screen text positioning and the ability to save high scores with a memory card.

Reception

On release, Famicom Tsūshin scored the game a 27 out of 40.[1] The four reviewers of Electronic Gaming Monthly scored it an 8.375 out of 10, describing it as an outstanding arcade translation. They especially praised the inclusion of Raiden II, as they generally felt that the original Raiden had become dated and that Raiden II was more challenging and fun.[2] GamePro, in contrast, commented that both games are very dated, with repetitive gameplay and overdone concepts. They also complained of slowdown in the two-player mode and concluded that The Raiden Project is "closer to where games have been than where they're going."[3]

Next Generation reviewed the game, rating it two stars out of five, and stated that "Raiden Project is a solid indicator of the PlayStation's ability to manipulate sprites and as such will find a welcome home with early adopters. But with endless credits at your disposal, and some poorly structured action, it's an ultimately shallow experience."[4]

References

  1. ↑ PLAYSTATION CROSS REVIEW: 雷電プロジェクト. Weekly Famicom Tsūshin. No.333. Pg.24. 5 May 1995.
  2. ↑ "Review Crew: Raiden Project". Electronic Gaming Monthly. Ziff Davis (74): 38. September 1995.
  3. ↑ "ProReview: The Raiden Project". GamePro. IDG (86): 56. November 1995.
  4. ↑ "Finals". Next Generation. No. 5. Imagine Media. May 1995. p. 88.
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