Some within the UK might know comedy TV persona Adam Buxton, who was as soon as the counterpart of Joe Cornish within the Adam and Joe Present (1996-2001), and, as not too long ago as 2020, was nonetheless guesting on fashionable Channel 4 panel reveals. These days, he is extra well-known for The Adam Buxton Podcast, however in 1999 he walked right into a London-based online game retailer the place I used to be working as employees, and, retrieving a replica of Raiden DX from the Japanese PlayStation part, requested if I used to be acquainted with it. I instructed him if he preferred the sequence, it was by far the very best entry and an outstanding arcade port filled with bells and whistles. He instantly handed over the money, wished me an excellent day, and left. I didn’t trouble to say, “hey buddy, I watch you on TV”, however I used to be impressed together with his gaming selection.
Raiden, you see, is sort of a secret handshake amongst the capturing sport hardcore, a distinguished Masonic-like fraternity of middle-aged males who get obsessed with blowing issues up with spaceships. It’s identified by many, however performed severely by few, and since its debut in 1990 its myriad sequels have been largely ignored by the mainstream. Regardless, it’s a wonderful sequence, from the Raiden Fighters spinoffs to the newer polygonal sequels. So, why the celeb flex? Effectively, it left an impression. Not simply because it was Adam Buxton, whose TV present was fashionable on the time, however as a result of I by no means forgot that Adam Buxton was each a shoot-em-up participant and Raiden fan. That was cool.
Quick-forward to 2024, and MOSS, having created three wonderful entries with Raiden III by way of V, have switched gears for Raiden Nova, transferring from conventional vertical scroller to twin-stick shooter. Right here, the participant ship is seen in an overhead perspective inside an endlessly scrolling area, the place you defend in opposition to waves of incoming enemies by way of 360 levels. Arcade Mode presents six levels to work by way of, every requiring you to outlive a countdown timer of a number of minutes and a formidable boss encounter. Your ship now has a strong life bar, which when depleted alerts the top of the sport, and a set of bombs.
Raiden Nova works by feeding you with fixed upgrades in your craft. Within the thick of it, mini-missions like “destroy 300 enemies” or comparable pop up, and reaching these is generally accomplished as a matter after all. The improve counter seems on the foot of the display, and you’ll entry the menu with a faucet of the ZL button. Throughout the menu you should buy from numerous bonuses: elevated defence, firepower, shields, new weaponry, and elevating your armaments by way of a number of ranges.
The sport is straightforward initially, and Raiden followers and shoot-em-up lovers will coast the primary two levels by merely circling and firing and circling some extra. That mentioned, it does get fairly thick with incoming enemies and bullet spreads, and one of many extra novel concepts – the fast sprint – makes all of the distinction. By tapping the left shoulder you possibly can dodge in a course of your selecting, offering momentary invulnerability and an opportunity to reposition. This gratifying characteristic has a cooldown interval of some seconds, selling strategic use.
The play-field additionally reaps different rewards. You’ll find well being objects, partially refilling your bar, and extra bombs floating round, typically launched by floor targets. A helpful indicator sits on the display edge, serving to direct you towards out-of-sight presents, whereas others present the course of encroaching bigger craft. On the finish of every stage a significant, screen-dwarfing boss-craft enters the fray, usually switching the motion right into a extra conventional structure.
By play you additionally accrue forex, and that is key, as there’s each a store possibility and extra craft to unlock. Within the store you possibly can completely improve your craft, making it extra highly effective from the outset and the sport progressively simpler. You possibly can anticipate to make it to stage three or 4 pretty early on, and earn sufficient for just a few elevated armaments. However, to essentially remodel your ship right into a formidable struggle machine, it requires hours of devoted effort. There’s an excellent likelihood style diehards will end the sport lengthy earlier than having sufficient coin to empty the store cabinets, however within the meantime there’s an Countless Mode to tackle, the place you possibly can select a single stage and have the issue ramp up in waves. It’s a reasonably enjoyable various survival occasion that triggers the adrenaline in a great way.
The Raiden really feel in Nova is partially intact, though a lot of that is all the way down to its recognisable graphical fashion and that fantastic purple toothpaste laser snaking across the display: the sequence most iconic weapon. Whereas there are patterns to string, needle and fast dodge, it’s doesn’t actually work in the identical approach as a conventional shoot-em-up, and also you have a tendency to seek out your self continually making the identical motion arcs, which will get a little bit tiresome after some time. It’s enjoyable, positive, however feels extra like a fan venture slightly than a bonafide entry.
The graphics are serviceable however barely outdated, and the maps are little greater than background wallpaper. The gameplay is the place it counts, although, and Raiden Nova is a enjoyable diversion for some time. Having to continually pause the motion to use upgrades is not enjoyable, particularly while you overlook what’s coming at you, however perceive that the ship-building side is integral to the sport’s sense of reward. On the similar time, it’s a little bit tacked on, as a result of with out the purchasing and improve format the sport itself doesn’t do something significantly fascinating as a twin-stick shooter. There are additionally on-line leaderboards for rating hunters, which is a given for a sport like this, and there will certainly be some wholesome competitors there for some time.
There have been additionally just a few body dips right here and there, which actually shocked us. There is no approach this should not be working a secure 60fps on Change. It is busy, sure, however by way of energy necessities it should not be taxing the Change an excessive amount of. Fortunately it is a small problem and never outstanding sufficient to be a dealbreaker. Nova works nice in handheld mode too, nevertheless it’s definitely simpler to barter the playfield when docked in your TV.
Conclusion
Moss has gone for an fascinating angle with Raiden Nova, and their lengthy fame with the sequence could be felt right here. When you get pleasure from this specific style, it’s acquired attraction, particularly for those who like the concept of constructing your ships up, tuning to your liking, and unleashing that scrumptious toothpaste laser at most capability. However, it’s additionally fairly a simplistic affair – one which received’t mild any new fires, nor appease followers who need to see a conventional Raiden VI. It feels extra akin to a minigame one would possibly discover as a bonus accent to a fully-fledged launch, and is not dissimilar to many titles within the cellular spectrum, albeit with some novel concepts and an gratifying new dodge mechanic. If that feels like one thing you will get into, and aren’t anticipating Jeff Minter ranges of creativity, it’s going to maintain you occupied on temporary commutes. For many, although, it is going to be a contact too restricted for the worth tag. We’re unsure Adam Buxton would purchase it, put it that approach.
