Raiden III Comes to PC! Release 3-17-06!

elvis · Post by **elvis** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 6:29 am

captain ahar wrote:i understand high import prices, but this is a pc game. they don't have to pay any of the hardware licensing costs. and i know they don't want it cheaper than the ps2 version, but c'mon $70 ?!?

You guys are spoiled. Buying import games for me here in Australia is often CHEAPER than buying it locally off store shelves. We Aussies get absolutely butt-raped on pricing by local distributors.

sammaza · Post by **sammaza** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 11:45 pm

Looks like Play-asia.com is shipping it now!

SWEEEET

doctorx0079 · Post by **doctorx0079** » Sat Mar 18, 2006 5:51 am

Can anyone confirm that this is working in US Windows XP??

sammaza · Post by **sammaza** » Sat Mar 18, 2006 5:52 am

i havent seen it yet...lookin

SAM · Post by **SAM** » Sat Mar 18, 2006 6:09 am

Guys I think we forgot a very important issue... Does this version of Raiden III got Tate mode?

IIRC Tate mode is not that popular among PC games.

BTW, does the PC version of SnS EX and SnS 2 got Tate mode?

PC version of Kiki Kaikai don't.

Kaspal · Post by **Kaspal** » Sat Mar 18, 2006 6:35 am

SAM wrote:Guys I think we forgot a very important issue... Does this version of Raiden III got Tate mode?

IIRC Tate mode is not that popular among PC games.

BTW, does the PC version of SnS EX and SnS 2 got Tate mode?

PC version of Kiki Kaikai don't.

YUP, at least, SnS2 does have a nice tate mode ...
and if you look at the new doujins, theres a few with tate mode on (Hitogata happa comes to mind... Gensou Shoujo too)... so, its rare, but gettin common now adays.

elvis · Post by **elvis** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 6:56 am

So has anyone bought this?

I've blown my import budget for the month, so I'm holding off on the buy just for now. However I've got some mates who want to buy it but primarily want to know if it has English menus or not. I couldn't find anything to confirm the answer for them.

Also a definite confirmation on tate mode would be nice too.

SAM · Post by **SAM** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 10:14 am

Kaspal wrote:YUP, at least, SnS2 does have a nice tate mode ...

You mean there is some problems with the PC version of SnS2 Tate Mode? What is it?

Kaspal · Post by **Kaspal** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 2:10 pm

SAM wrote:
Kaspal wrote:YUP, at least, SnS2 does have a nice tate mode ...
You mean there is some problems with the PC version of SnS2 Tate Mode? What is it?

absolutely NOT... actually, i flip my 15" CRT to paly SnS2 in TATE mode every now and then, since it plays better that way ... and feels better, if you know what i mean ... and when im a lil more picky, i do the same with Hitogata Happa (to put an example of Doujins with TATE mode).

antron · Post by **antron** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 2:59 pm

The Coop wrote:And now the million dollar question. What are the chances of this thing ever making it to The States for those of us without a modded PS2?

ps2hd.com lists this game as compatible with retail HDLoader.

elvis · Post by **elvis** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 1:32 am

Asking once more:

Does the PC version have English menus and tate mode? I already have the PS2 version, but have plenty of mainstream buddies who are keen to get into recent shmups and want to know the PC version specifics.

Frogacuda · Post by **Frogacuda** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 4:44 am

So what's the verdict on Raiden III in general? I'm a huge Raiden fan, and Seibu fan in general, but I'm a little wary since I don't know that Moss has proven themselves yet.

elvis · Post by **elvis** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 4:50 am

Frogacuda wrote:So what's the verdict on Raiden III in general? I'm a huge Raiden fan

You'll like Raiden III then. I think it's very faithful to the original Raiden I and II look and feel (and toughness too). Definitely not the "use the name and nothing else" of the Raiden Fighters series.

Frogacuda · Post by **Frogacuda** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 4:51 am

captain ahar wrote:i understand high import prices, but this is a pc game. they don't have to pay any of the hardware licensing costs. and i know they don't want it cheaper than the ps2 version, but c'mon $70 ?!?

Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. You're quite right in this case. Porting costs are low since the game is Windows native to begin with, and the licensing and media costs are less on PC as well, not to mention it's being released later than the PS2 version.

The reason it's high is because in japan PC gaming as seen as a premium market. It's the domain of the rich kid, and they can get away with charging more. There isn't really a PC gaming mainstream in japan the way there is here. So they are ripping us off, just not more than any other japanese gaming company.

JBC · Post by **JBC** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 5:21 am

If it does have tate then i'm all over it. I'm glad to here that it plays and feels like Raiden 1 and 2.

I love the Raiden Fighters Series and all... but i prefer the Viper Phase 1 original version style gameplay better - which is close to the way Raiden 1 and 2 play.

btw - i'm pretty close to 1cc'ing VP1...

Kaspal · Post by **Kaspal** » Sun Apr 09, 2006 3:45 pm

doctorx0079 wrote:Can anyone confirm that this is working in US Windows XP??

yes, it does work on any WinXP version... but just in case, you must have the japanese compatibility mode on... it wrked for me right away... and the damn game its pretty SWEET!.

Kaspal · Post by **Kaspal** » Sun Apr 09, 2006 3:48 pm

circuitface wrote:If it does have tate then i'm all over it. I'm glad to here that it plays and feels like Raiden 1 and 2.

I love the Raiden Fighters Series and all... but i prefer the Viper Phase 1 original version style gameplay better - which is close to the way Raiden 1 and 2 play.

btw - i'm pretty close to 1cc'ing VP1...

it DOES have TATE mode (left and right TATE), and you can activate it from the main menu (at the very begginin) or when your playin already...

also, i must say that the main menu its in english (even thou, the sub menus are in japanese, but a readable japanese... not very advanced).. and the ingame menus (the pause menu and the stage score menu) are in good english too ....

i mean, they REALLY got the job done on porting this one... i played thru the whole 7 stages, and so far, i love it.

yojo! · Post by **yojo!** » Sun Apr 09, 2006 6:14 pm

circuitface wrote: btw - i'm pretty close to 1cc'ing VP1...

Are you talking about the "old version" (where weapon use times out) or the "new version" with the gameplay twick ?

Necronom · Post by **Necronom** » Sun Apr 09, 2006 7:27 pm

The reason it's high is because in japan PC gaming as seen as a premium market. It's the domain of the rich kid, and they can get away with charging more. There isn't really a PC gaming mainstream in japan the way there is here. So they are ripping us off, just not more than any other japanese gaming company.

70$ for the game IS pure ripoff. Imho paying such a price is like telling the guys "Yeah, it's allright...please rip me off, I don't care". That's why there is now a nice pirated copy of Raiden III available via bittorrent. Great game btw.

xaer0knight · Post by **xaer0knight** » Sun Apr 09, 2006 8:26 pm

Necronom wrote:
The reason it's high is because in japan PC gaming as seen as a premium market. It's the domain of the rich kid, and they can get away with charging more. There isn't really a PC gaming mainstream in japan the way there is here. So they are ripping us off, just not more than any other japanese gaming company.
70$ for the game IS pure ripoff. Imho paying such a price is like telling the guys "Yeah, it's allright...please rip me off, I don't care". That's why there is now a nice pirated copy of Raiden III available via bittorrent. Great game btw.

Id totally agree. i mean 70 bucks is a lot of game, even if the game is in my favorite Genre. but then if i had the money.. i may want to spurge on a game once in awhile. but 70 bucks is out of the league for me... i thought 20 bucks for Choas Field for GC was in my ball park

JBC · Post by **JBC** » Sun Apr 09, 2006 8:28 pm

yojo! wrote:
circuitface wrote: btw - i'm pretty close to 1cc'ing VP1...
Are you talking about the "old version" (where weapon use times out) or the "new version" with the gameplay twick ?

The old version with the weapon meter but when i'm done with that i'm going to start practicing on the new version and recording a 1cc for both styles. It is my goal to do this with every single Raiden game.

yojo! · Post by **yojo!** » Sun Apr 09, 2006 8:48 pm

circuitface wrote:
yojo! wrote:
circuitface wrote: btw - i'm pretty close to 1cc'ing VP1...
Are you talking about the "old version" (where weapon use times out) or the "new version" with the gameplay twick ?
The old version with the weapon meter but when i'm done with that i'm going to start practicing on the new version and recording a 1cc for both styles. It is my goal to do this with every single Raiden game.

I think that the new version will give you much less trouble to complete on 1 credit. I own both PCBs and I find the new version much more easier than the old one; even on harder difficulty setting.

Ord · Post by **Ord** » Sun Apr 09, 2006 9:46 pm

elvis wrote:
The high-res LS-Sound-29 cabs we sell have VGA input, and suport native resolutions of 640x480 up to 1024x768.

29" flat screen CRT at 1024x768 in tate playing Raiden III on a candy. That'll be me, somewhere around March 20 or so.

My first cab was an LS Sound 29. I didn't know that there were high resolution versions of this cab going about. How are they? Do they have a degauss feature and could you provide pictures of the cab running Raiden III (pc) or any othe high resolution game?

JBC · Post by **JBC** » Sun Apr 09, 2006 9:54 pm

I'm just the opposite. I've actually noticed that the original version is allowing me to use memorization and planning tactics alot more.

The enemies in the first one aren't nearly as strong, and i pay closer attention to what i'm shooting at because i either have to aim precisley when not powered up or fire in controlled bursts when powered up to save ammo.

Also, because i'm not unconsiously counting on my wide or napalm shot to provide much cover from enemy ship collisions i'm quicker on the draw to use my bomb.

I also find that i'm less distracted by the pretty explosions through the majority of the game. When i use the napalm shot, which is my favorite weapon against bosses, i easily lose sight of enemy shots. I try to focus my eyes a couple inches in front of my ship and just seperate the blue from the green while using my peripherals to track everything else. In the new version if i end up collecting the napalm shot mid level - i'm totally screwed, especially since the enemies are stronger and a fully powered naplam shot is less destructive. In the old version though, the napalm is much more effective, has a wider explosion range, and does it's damage in a few seconds as opposed to slowly and continuously.

I have less trouble in the old version because i find it easier to obtain the most useful power-ups at the right times. In the new version there is much more enemy fire peppering the screen most of the time, and it is difficult to navigate through all of that and collect the power-up when it is on the shot you desire. With this i can plan ahead and get the right ones for whatever section or boss i'm about to fly through.

I can see how some people would be better at the new version than the old, though. The new version is more about plain ole' skill instead of tactics, which is why i suck at it.

Kiken · Post by **Kiken** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 3:35 pm

So, does the PC version retain the Double-Play mode?

Twiddle · Post by **Twiddle** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 6:18 pm

Kiken wrote:So, does the PC version retain the Double-Play mode?

yes

Ed Oscuro · Post by **Ed Oscuro** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 6:28 pm

Hmm, Taito should distribute this via Valve's Steam service. I'm serious.

They should also release HL2: Survivor that way. Also serious. Well, sorta.

LRa · Post by **LRa** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 3:01 pm

Anyone succeeded in using a joystick?

Frogacuda · Post by **Frogacuda** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 10:51 pm

Kaspal wrote:yes, it does work on any WinXP version... but just in case, you must have the japanese compatibility mode on... it wrked for me right away... and the damn game its pretty SWEET!.

How do you turn the japanese compatibility mode on?

elvis · Post by **elvis** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 3:05 am

Frogacuda wrote:
Kaspal wrote:yes, it does work on any WinXP version... but just in case, you must have the japanese compatibility mode on... it wrked for me right away... and the damn game its pretty SWEET!.
How do you turn the japanese compatibility mode on?

Under WinXP:
Control Panel -> Regional and Language Options

From there, add support for East Asian languages. You'll need your WinXP CD to do so.