Raiden IV

Raiden IV (雷電IV, Raiden Fō) is a 2007 vertical scrolling shooting video game developed by MOSS. It was first released in the arcades in Japan. A home conversion was produced for Xbox 360 in 2008. An updated arcade version was later released for Taito's NESiCAxLive digital distribution platform. Two more versions featuring new content were released: Raiden IV: OverKill for PlayStation 3 and Windows, and Raiden IV x MIKADO remix for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

Raiden IV
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North American cover art
Developer(s)MOSS
Publisher(s)
SeriesRaiden
Platform(s)
ReleaseArcade
  • JP: June 7, 2007
  • JP: March 29, 2012 (NESiCAxLive)
Xbox 360
  • JP: October 2, 2008
  • NA: September 9, 2009
Raiden IV: OverKill
PlayStation 3
  • JP: May 13, 2014
  • NA: April 29, 2014
  • EU: May 28, 2014
  • HKG: April 30, 2014
Windows
  • WW: September 3, 2015
Raiden IV x MIKADO remix
Nintendo Switch
  • JP: April 22, 2021
  • NA: May 6, 2021
  • EU: October 22, 2021
PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
  • JP: February 24, 2022
  • NA: January 31, 2023
  • EU: February 3, 2023
Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
  • NA: January 31, 2023
  • EU/JP: February 3, 2023
Genre(s)Vertical scrolling shooter
Mode(s)Single player, 2 player co-op
Arcade systemTaito Type X, NESiCAxLive

Gameplay

The gameplay of Raiden IV is identical to the previous games. In each stage of increasing difficulty, players maneuver their fighter craft, engaging various enemies and avoiding their attacks. The Flash Shot mechanic, first introduced in Raiden III, returns in this game. Collectible items include weapon upgrade icons, bombs to cancel enemy attacks and deal damage to enemies over a large area, and score items such as medals and fairies.

Plot

The Crystals have returned again after numerous defeats against humanity. The VCD immediately launches a new model of the Raiden fighter, the Fighting Thunder ME-02 Kai, to stop the Crystals from taking over the Earth.

Development

Location tests

The first location test for Raiden IV was held at Akihabara Hey on July 22–23, 2006, on an Egret II system. This version had three difficulty levels and forced a different weapon for each player. The second location test was held again at Hey and at Taito Game World in Shinjuku on October 14–16. The third location test was held at High-Tech Sega in Shibuya and Taito Game World in Shinjuku on December 27. The version of the game used in this location test allowed players to select a weapon. The fourth and final location test was held at Shinjuku Gesen Mikado on February 20, 2007.

Releases

Moss launched the arcade version of Raiden IV on June 7, 2007, while launching the official arcade website.[1]

In 2008, an Xbox 360 port came, which includes new stages, Xbox Live support, monitor rotation options, and downloadable content.[2] The port was set to be released on September 11 by Moss, but was pushed back to October 2 as the game needed more polish and bug fixes.[3]

A version designed for the NESiCAxLive arcade download system was unveiled on February 22, 2011, in AOU2011.[4] New features include perfect mode, which incorporates the seven-stage game from the Xbox 360 version of Raiden IV, and background music from the Ultimate of Raiden soundtrack. It has the Fairy character available for use.

A PlayStation 3 version was released in early 2014 as Raiden IV: OverKill. This version was the first official European release of the game, and adds two new stages,[5] three different fighters (Fighting Thunder ME-02 Kai, Fighting Thunder Mk-II, Fairy), a new OverKill Mode, and a Replay&Gallery Mode.[6][7] It was then ported to Windows and released by H2 Interactive worldwide on September 3, 2015.

A version titled Raiden IV x MIKADO remix was released for Nintendo Switch on April 22, 2021 in Japan, on May 6, 2021 in North America, and October 22, 2021 in Europe.[8] It features remixed background music by various artists produced by Game Center Mikado.[9] It was later ported to PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 in Japan, and was released worldwide by NIS America for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S in early 2023.[8][10]

Soundtrack

Raiden IV -Ultimate of Raiden- is a video game soundtrack CD by INH. It includes Arcade, Xbox 360, and remixed versions of game music tracks from older and current Raiden games, with a total of 27 tracks. The OST was included with the X360 version of game for a limited time. INH has also offered a special PDF file DVD by pre-ordering from their site. The disc named Raiden IV Secret File, contains player ship specifications, enemy combat data, strategies for the game and concept art. This Secret File is also available from American distributor UFO Interactive Games via a code printed on the American version of the CD.

Track listing

All tracks are written by Go Sato, except where noted[11]

No.TitleLength
1."Shoot like lightning (DEMO)"0:57
2."Coin"0:06
3."Carve your name (SELECT&NAME)"1:43
4."A stormy front (LEVEL1)"3:23
5."Metal storm (BOSS1)"2:14
6."Mission accomplishment (LEVEL CLEAR)"0:09
7."Can't retrace (LEVEL2)"3:30
8."Flap toward the hope (LEVEL3)"2:28
9."Tragedy flame (LEVEL4)"2:54
10."Advantageous development (LEVEL5)" (Yuji Takemitsu)1:57
11."Repeated tragedy (LEVEL5 EX)"4:28
12."Go to Blazes! GS (BOSS2)" (Akira Sato)2:29
13."Brightness of peace (ENDING)"2:36
14."Preparations (CONTINUE)"1:12
15."GAME OVER for Raiden (GAME OVER)" (Akira Sato)0:14
16."Watch a Blazes? (MENU)"2:11
17."Omen of stormy (RANKING)"2:21
18."Enumeration (GALLERY)"1:38
19."All or nothing (LEVEL5)"3:07
20."Depression (LEVEL6)"2:55
21."GALLANTRY" (Akira Sato)4:46
22."Tragedy flame"2:50
23."Flap toward the hope"5:28
24."Conflict"3:13
25."Lightning strikes"5:10
26."Fairy"5:04
27."Brightness of peace"3:52
Total length:72:55

Reception

Raiden IV has received mixed or average review scores upon its U.S. release, with both IGN and the Official Xbox Magazine scoring it a 6 out of 10. IGN's Eric Brudvig writes: "Though at first glance you might think there are 14 levels in Raiden IV ... there are in fact only seven with the second half of the game merely repeating the first.... UFO Interactive Games went ahead and added insult to injury with its use of downloadable content. After dishing out $40 for the game, you'll find that only one of the three ships on the main menu can be used. The other two must be purchased through Xbox Live". Backlash over the pay to play ships has created controversy at several gaming forums, leading gamers to wonder whether the extra content is worth the price to obtain them.[16]

References
  1. "雷電IV blog 第46回 雷電IVとはなんぞや（その1）". Archived from the original on 2008-09-14. Retrieved 2008-09-10.
  2. "Raiden IV Xbox 360 First Details". Archived from the original on 2008-10-08. Retrieved 2008-09-11.
  3. "Raiden IV for Xbox 360 delayed". 27 August 2008. Archived from the original on 2008-09-13. Retrieved 2008-09-11.
  4. "タイトー新製品商談会レポートを掲載。自分好みにカスタマイズしたキャラが生き生きと動く「3Dコスプレ麻雀」などの「NESiCAxLive」タイトルも展示". Archived from the original on 2012-01-18. Retrieved 2012-04-14.
  5. "Raiden IV: OverKill OUT on PSN TODAY!". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2014-06-10.
  6. "PS3「雷電IV OverKill」の配信日が4月24日に決定！新たなミッションステージも紹介したPVが公開". Archived from the original on 2014-03-22. Retrieved 2014-03-21.
  7. "『雷電IV OverKill』、様式美と伝統を受け継いだ人気シューティングゲームシリーズ最新作をインプレッション". 13 May 2014. Archived from the original on 2014-08-15. Retrieved 2014-09-05.
  8. "Raiden IV x MIKADO remix coming west for PS5, Xbox Series, PS4, Xbox One, and PC in early 2023". Gematsu. July 27, 2022. Archived from the original on July 27, 2022. Retrieved July 28, 2022.
  9. "Raiden IV x Mikado Remix for Switch Reviews - Metacritic". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 2021-06-03. Retrieved 2021-06-03.
  10. Romano, Sal (September 7, 2022). "Raiden IV x MIKADO remix for PS5, Xbox Series, PS4, Xbox One, and PC launches January 31, 2023 in North America, February 3 in Europe". Gematsu. Archived from the original on January 20, 2023. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  11. "Raiden IV original sound track -Ultimate of Raiden-". VGMdb.net. Archived from the original on July 4, 2015. Retrieved July 3, 2015.
  12. "Raiden IV for Xbox 360". GameRankings. 2009-09-08. Archived from the original on 2014-03-07. Retrieved 2014-03-06.
  13. "Raiden IV for Xbox 360 Reviews". Metacritic. 2009-09-08. Archived from the original on 2014-05-02. Retrieved 2014-03-06.
  14. Ray Barnholt (2009-09-09). "Raiden IV Review (XBOX 360)". www.1up.com. Archived from the original on 2016-06-03. Retrieved 2021-07-15.
  15. "Raiden IV Review - IGN". ca.ign.com. 15 September 2009. Archived from the original on 2014-03-07. Retrieved 2014-03-06.
  16. "Raiden IV review at IGN". 15 September 2009. Archived from the original on 2009-09-23. Retrieved 2009-09-18.
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