Raiden 4 Overkill and Caladrius getting PS3 release

[Pretas]

Has full arcade stick compatibility been patched in yet?

[PC Engine Fan X!]

Never played vanilla Raiden IV arcade (TAITO Type X Hardware) or on Xbox 360 / XBLA.



So far I'm Loving Raiden IV: Overkill on PS3. Did not know the 360 version had two additional stages not in the original coin-op.

Yes, playing the original Taito Type X version of Raiden IV is stunning to say. Of course, if played on a low-res arcade monitor setup with a Sega version 2 I/O adpater to standard Jamma setup, it's still fun nevertheless despite it being a high-res shmup (640 x 480) in the first place. Not to mention that the opening FMV intro is presented entirely in tate as well.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[spadgy]

Has full arcade stick compatibility been patched in yet?

I'm only just playing catch-up on this version of Raiden IV getting a wider release (blame how excellent TRP-STGT is!). Does the PAL version not support sticks for now?

[ZaKa-tokyobassist]

Played for a fair amount and still can't beat it BUT I can say this game absolutely lays the Cleveland Steamer on Raiden III. In fact I deleted Raiden III off my hard drive because it's a waste of time in comparison.

The trophies are also great for challenging yourself. I highly doubt I can beat Impossible in 1 Credit but I'll try

The music is much better as well. Doesn't feel as flat or bland. Definitely worth the price but I'm also not a stick player and I know there has been compatibility issues with this game so purchase it using your best judgement.

[Pretas]

This post seems to indicate that a new patch for OverKill was sent out on the 27th to fix the compatibility issues for all arcade sticks. Can anyone who was having problems with sticks before report if they are still present, and if the patch was applied to the US version?

[BPzeBanshee]

Turns out it's actually on Australian PSN after all. Sony's idea of a website for checking the PlayStation Network games library however, is not very consistent. There's at least two sites that claim to do the same thing.

[Mero]

Some news about what Caladrius Blaze is going to be like: http://www.famitsu.com/news/201406/04054442.html

All characters to be available out of the box (including Sophia and Lilith).
Original mode which will be tthe same as the 360 original.
Arcade mode which will correspond to Caladruis AC.
Evolution mode, which will have a new player character and a new stage and boss, and an as yet unspecified "new system" that might have something to do with using your element burst.

[eatdogs]

Some news about what Caladrius Blaze is going to be like: http://www.famitsu.com/news/201406/04054442.html

All characters to be available out of the box (including Sophia and Lilith).
Original mode which will be tthe same as the 360 original.
Arcade mode which will correspond to Caladruis AC.
Evolution mode, which will have a new player character and a new stage and boss, and an as yet unspecified "new system" that might have something to do with using your element burst.

Can you turn off the stupid anime crap with the clothes tearing off?

[Pretas]

Can you turn off the stupid anime crap with the clothes tearing off?

As was mentioned earlier in the thread, the Cut-In Break illustrations can be disabled, and they were already censored for the AC version.

Anyone know if the latest Raiden IV OverKill patch fixed the control issues and was applied to the US version?

[HydrogLox]

Still sitting at version 1.01 (US; 1.01 Jpn seems to contain the fix) - so problems remain. Not sure how much of a priority this is to UFO Interactive - they probably don't see it as a sales issue and there is no deadline attached to it.

[marquisposa]

Anyone know if the latest Raiden IV OverKill patch fixed the control issues and was applied to the US version?

A new joystick patch for North America was announced yesterday: https://twitter.com/UFO_Interactive/sta ... 1523752961

Is that patch already out, or are you referring to the last one?

[mastermx]

I recently saw a post on ufo's facebook page saying that the problem is being worked on and will be out soon.

[MR_Soren]

Some news about what Caladrius Blaze is going to be like: http://www.famitsu.com/news/201406/04054442.html

All characters to be available out of the box (including Sophia and Lilith).
Original mode which will be tthe same as the 360 original.
Arcade mode which will correspond to Caladruis AC.
Evolution mode, which will have a new player character and a new stage and boss, and an as yet unspecified "new system" that might have something to do with using your element burst.

Sounds awesome, definitely going to get this.

Also going to pick up a PSN card and buy Raiden IV Overkill as soon as the patch is out in the US.

[ACSeraph]

Ugh... I really wanted a version with the Vanilla scoring system and the AC balance changes. Scoring in AC is shallow Guess I'll just cross my fingers that the new mode kicks ass. Also, I seriously doubt Original is the same as Vanilla, I'm guess it will be AC original, but maybe with the more difficult patterns from Vanilla. It would be foolish of them to put the stupid shit like unkillable stage 6 bits back in.

Can you turn off the stupid anime crap with the clothes tearing off?

As was mentioned earlier in the thread, the Cut-In Break illustrations can be disabled, and they were already censored for the AC version.

Yeah it's always been an option to turn it off, even in Vanilla. But even though AC was censored, the artwork in those new screens is all from Vanilla. I'm hoping they have an option to use the toned down AC art instead.

[spadgy]

Finally put some time in to Raiden IV Overkill (PAL) and these are my impressions of the modes and differences.

Differences in Gameplay
• Overkill mode feels a touch slower (and thus a shade easier in that context) than previous versions. The stages are largely the same, but enemy/fairy/sol tower/etc. placement is a little different, as are some bullet/boss patterns. As detailed by Aquas, the new scoring is about blasting the falling enemies after their death, rewarding you increasingly for more hits on a enemy falling from the sky. Medal of various values are dropped for overkills. It certainly does much to change the dynamic and gameplay rhythm of the game, and the scoring approach (overkilling vs. focusing on higher percentage kill ratios and speed kills of popcorn). On the matter of speed kills, while the previous game scored a multiplier on every enem that incrementally decreased with time (5.0x, 4.9x, 4.8x), Overkill simplifies it to a fast or slow kill. Fast kill gets you a big gem; slow kill gets you a small gem. All gems hoover in automatically with no button pressing.

Stages/Modes
• Overkill mode features two extra 'mission' stages per loop. These are still fairly full-sized levels, but the first introduces saving tonnes of fairies and the second (? - as I've not got there!) is about destroying meteors. This mode also includes the additional Xbox 360 stages, so nine stages per loop total (5 from the arcade release, 2 from Xbox Mode and 2 Overkill-only mission stages. Defaults at 'Normal' difficulty (as opposed to 'Original'; the arcade PCB default), including in World Rankings (online leaderboard) mode. The mission stages are pretty tough; not just some easy point-grab bonus stage.

• Additional Mode appears to be the original Xbox 360 mode speed, enemy/item/bullet placements, scoring system etc., but with the additional two Overkill mission stages. Defaults at Normal difficulty.

• Score Attack, from the little I've played (very little), appears to Overkill mode again, with the option to change the music. The other difference is that you can't continue here. Defaults at Normal difficulty.

• Arcade Mode is the original five-stage (TBC?) Arcade mode, with the option at the start to tackle a 'Light' or 'Original' mode. Those are different arrangements, so technically different from the normal difficulty settings within each and across the game.

• Boss Rush I've not unlocked yet (anybody know the unlocking conditions?). I presume it's a standard boss rush for Overkill. Could somebody confirm if it also includes Additional and Arcade mode versions? Defaults at Normal difficulty?

• World Rankings is the online leaderboard version, with the option to tackle Overkill, Additional or Arcade mode. Difficulty is locked to Normal (again, as opposed to Original) across the three, and it appears Arcade Mode here only lets you try the Original (and not Light) version. It doesn't even display the option screen you normally get. Could anybody confirm that it's definitely Original – and not Light – here?

Other Notes
• The two Xbox 360 version DLC ships (the original Raiden ship and the Fairy) are included as standard here. You change the ship used under the 'Character' setting, available variously on menu screens.
• On all modes you get to selected between the 'Plasma' (original) and 'Proton' (3-way) purple laser. Was this the case in the original arcade and 360 releases? I can't remember.
• I believe all modes are two-loops.

I'll update all of the above as we all bring in more info. Ultimately I'd like to make a Strategy section thread of it.

This is all from memory of my time with the previous versions, so please do point out where I'm wrong!

And after a good evening playing it, I really like it. Overkill isn't vastly different from Arcade/Xbox 360 mode, but if you're really intimate with the previous versions, it's different enough, and needs a newly worked out game plan. And I think Overkill might be a touch more accessible (though that doesn't mean lesser) for those that have never played Raiden IV. Well worth £15.99 in my book, for Overkill and Additional modes alone. But then I am a huge Raiden IV fan.

Of course, more play may change my mind!

Finally, a notice...

The forum's Raiden IV high-score table will have Overkill's modes added soon!

[hermosaguy]

Thank you for those impressions Spadgy that overkill mode seems really promising.

[Pretas]

It has been six days since UFO announced that the arcade stick patch would be made available for the US version "very soon." Have they made good on this yet?

[spadgy]

The PAL version is certainly fixed for sticks.

And, boy, doubleplay is great in Overkill. Overkilling really compliments doubleplay. I can now 1-life a doubleplay run to the the stage 3 boss; still can't down the boss! I just wish there was a leaderboard for doubleplay.

On the matter of leaderboards, am I right that the US/PAL/AUS/etc. versions share a leaderboard? It seems so from the forum handles I recognise.

Also, re my post above, could any devoted Raiden IV players (that's you Aquas! ) confirm or refute my comments on differences in Overkill's bullet patterns? they might be the same as original arcade mode on 'normal' (not 'original') setting?

[Aquas]

I assume the leaderboards are shared.

Also, re my post above, could any devoted Raiden IV players (that's you Aquas! ) confirm or refute my comments on differences in Overkill's bullet patterns? they might be the same as original arcade mode on 'normal' (not 'original') setting?

I can't confirm it but I think I can support it. Overkill mode was changed to be like Arcade default difficulty. I do remember thinking the 2nd loop was particularly fast in Overkill compared to "XBOX 360 Mode" which is now "Additional Mode" in Overkill ...!!

It could be, in order to balance out the fact you get 4 extra 1ups compared to only 2 in Additional Mode to help you clear both loops in Overkill.

Just as a side opinion on Overkill in general. The Overkill system is fun and can be strategic but still withstanding if you can survive the stages successfully you will score more than you will take advantage of the Overkill point blanking mechanic. Because later in the game there's simply too many targets to destroy to take advantage of Overkill medals so the system then becomes moot for the rest of the game. New players could get carried away by it and get distracted.

[spadgy]

Overkill mode was changed to be like Arcade default difficulty. I do remember thinking the 2nd loop was particularly fast in Overkill compared to "XBOX 360 Mode" which is now "Additional Mode" in Overkill ...!!

I see. I thought Overkill's first loop (I've only played the first loop!) was a little slower than vanilla Raiden IV and Arcade, but I guess that doesn't mean its easier!

So, for people that don't know, on the 360 release of Raiden IV, there was default 'normal' difficulty for most modes (all?). Then, at one difficulty level harder, there was 'original' difficulty; the original arcade release's default difficulty.

This weekend I'm going to fire up vanilla and Overkill at the same time to try and confirm these various differences/similarities discussed in the few posts on this page.

[mastermx]

Arcade stick patch is now out for both NA and EU according to UFO's facebook page.

[HydrogLox]

Yup. Patch 1.02, 41MB and the Hori Fighting Commander 3 Pro now works in DP mode.

[mastermx]

Anyone know how to unlock boss rush mode? Getting tired of having to go through a whole stage to practice a boss.

[President_Obama]

Finish it? IIRC

[mastermx]

Lol then I might just credit feed through it to unlock boss rush. I wish more games let you practice bosses off the bat like crimzon clover.

[silvergunner]

YESSS...my PS2 Saturn Pad works fine with the game now

[amarti]

I want it for my 360, long live the shmup Queen !!!!

[spadgy]

Lol then I might just credit feed through it to unlock boss rush. I wish more games let you practice bosses off the bat like crimzon clover.

That works! Just need to 1CC or credit feed a 1-ALL. Obviously, I didn't credit feed it to find out... honest...

[Blinge]

We believe you.. however, when it comes to cheating during double play using bits of cardboard.... =P

[spadgy]

Blinge has got me. He came over to my place and saw it in person. I've built a robot double from cardboard boxes that handles the 2P stick when I double play Overkill.

(In fact, it's that I do wedge a bit of card in each stick to hold down each fire button when I doubleplay; the 'is autofire cheating?' of doubleplay. And Blinge caught me red-handed. As I said to him as he put me in cuffs and read me my rights, there's a picture of it being done with pins (in place of card) in the book that comes with the Raiden Aces High superplay DVD. And yet he still hauled me down the station.)

But in spite of all that, you should all doubleplay Overkill. Having two ships (and the mixed weapons) is great for getting more Overkill bonuses!