your favorite Raiden game?

[BPzeBanshee]

For all those complaining about Raiden Fighters series on the list, I'm inclined to agree but I'll go the extra step.

I dont think Viper Phase 1 should be on that list either. It's not Raiden.

As for my vote, I can't. I like them all. Too bad Tradewest Games/JoWood screwed up so badly with regards to RFA PAL.

[MathU]

Why such little love for Raiden III? is it just because it's dull, or are there better reasons for disliking it?

Basically it amounts to danmaku fans (particularly of the CAVE variety) ripping into it for being different when it was released. It really is a shame; it's a damn fine game and plays just like the older Raidens. I have no problem with the ship's speed. In fact, until I came across certain comments it never even crossed my mind that it was somehow "slow". You certainly can't blame the ship's speed for your own deaths; they made the hitbox even more forgiving than in Raiden II so that you can pretty much always avoid lateral sniper helis and tanks now, no matter where they are.

[burgerkingdiamond]

Why such little love for Raiden III? is it just because it's dull, or are there better reasons for disliking it?
I enjoy it cos it's pretty and I can play it tated on PC, but I know those things don't carry much weight round these parts.

I guess Raiden III is just kinda uninspired.. I don't really know why I never play it. It's old school Raiden for sure though as far as gameplay goes. I guess I should give it some more time to see if it grows on me. I also need to get a complete copy of III and IV. I got both for cheap used at Gamestop, but they both came in blank cases. Raiden IV is much prettier I think. That game really does kick ass. Tated on my Candy Cab it's downright beautiful.

What's the score on the superplay if you don't mind my asking? Top replay on Xbox 360 and Arcade modes didn't do too much milking, IIRC. I think you get more points for speedkills, but now I'm curious.

And yeah, Raiden Fighters don't belong on the same poll, really (though I disagree that they aren't as frustrating... if anything, they're more frustrating when playing for score, IMO).

My votes went to Raiden DX and Raiden IV, but I really do enjoy all of them and VP1 equally (even III).

Can anybody translate this:

[Blackbird]

Translation is something like:

Arcade Version [Raiden IV]
1 Loop Mode
Player: CYS-SAK

[Aquas]

My problem with Raiden IV is simple: the two ships are too slow...

I want to like this game, but could someone point out to me what Im missing or the best way to approach it? I tried forgetting about scoring, and focus on pure survival but that didnt seem to make it any more fun.

The ships are slow for a reason. Tap dodging lets you escape most bullets and patterns, and herding / weaving is more natural (as far as classic shmups go) with such a speed. But not as slow as in Raiden III...

For me the fun of Raiden IV comes with the price of memorization. Truly, you need to memorize the boss's patterns well to progress. Once you dedicate a little time to crushing some hurdles, I find it satisfying to get further than before, as it also requires the proper execution. Very classic style which is why I love it. It's fun why most STGs are fun. The weapons, explosions and music are great. The tension rises when you're at the latter stages... (especially X360 mode.)

I voted Raiden IV and RFJ.

[spadgy]

My problem with Raiden IV is simple: the two ships are too slow for my taste and I dont want to play as a Fairy who blows bubbles (even though I forked over extra cash for the two DLC characters).

Welcome to classic Raiden =P. It's practically tradition that your ship is sluggish in the classic series

Exactly! Why I love Raiden IV (and also Raiden III) is that they feel like they continue the tradition of the classic early 90's vert. Raiden IV and IV do it a little differently from most modern shooters, and that's great. I think the 'sluggishness' makes for exciting, distinct gameplay few other modern shooters go near.

Raiden III and IV certainly feel and look modern, but hark back to a fine era. Cave have continued to push the danmaku thing (and great - I love it), but it's nice somebody else is following a different line of the genre's progress.

EDIT: And on the topic of Raiden - more of you should bloody well put some time into Double Play. If I can do it you lot can!

[TodayIsForgotten]

I enjoy(ed) all the Raiden Games. I liked Raiden Fighter Aces but I am not a huge fan of all the memorization that game comes with. I'd much rather memorize bullet patterns than having to memorize patterns to keep my chain going.

I really loved raiden 1 and 2 in the arcades, but my vote went with Raiden IV. I recently got back into this game and as spadgy mentioned I enjoy the more traditional approach. Simple scoring but becomes more complex depending on how aggressive you want to get with point blanking. The fact that the pacing is very awesome in my opinion - you're always on the move. Not time for breaks.

I do like danmaku but i prefer a more traditional approach. I guess you could consider r4 a manic shooter. Perfect blend of bullets, nudge movement and quick reaction.

[mjclark]

And on the topic of Raiden - more of you should bloody well put some time into Double Play. If I can do it you lot can!

Tis a wee bit tricky though eh? Especially since Raiden III won't let me map the shot to the same button for both ships!
Also just discovered that the hi scoreboard on the MOSS website for Raiden III is still active and you can still put in your Score Trial results using the generated pass key (at least with the Japanese version). It includes a Double Play board so maybe you should put some scores up there spadgy

[Guardians Knight]

The Raiden Project on ps1 all those years ago started me off as a young person on my pursuit as a shmup geek so it was a toss up between 1 and 2 for me.....i plumped for 2 as its a bit more racy than 1, altho i love them all..........

[ShmupSamurai]

What, is there no love for Raiden II?! BLASPHEMY!!!!

It's really the only one I really spent time with/enjoyed....barelly touched any of the RF ones and haven't tried IV yet...
back..when...I...had..a Windows...95..*runs the bone outta Dodge as RaidenFighter zealots fly onto the board and start spamming bullet hell everywhere*

[burgerkingdiamond]

Not trying to be an ass, but is it just me or have a bunch of different Raiden threads popped up or gotten active again all of a sudden? It reminds me of a couple months ago when BeeStorm was getting all this love suddenly. And then after a few days it faded back into obscurity... Let's see how long the bandwagon lasts this time..

Btw, I need to take a picture of my 3 cabs with Raiden II (PCB),III (PS2) and IV (360)running at the same time. It's pretty sweet. I just need one more to be able to represent the whole series.

[BPzeBanshee]

What, is there no love for Raiden II?! BLASPHEMY!!!!

It's really the only one I really spent time with/enjoyed....barelly touched any of the RF ones and haven't tried IV yet...
back..when...I...had..a Windows...95..*runs the bone outta Dodge as RaidenFighter zealots fly onto the board and start spamming bullet hell everywhere*

I love Raiden II, you're not alone.

[spadgy]

And on the topic of Raiden - more of you should bloody well put some time into Double Play. If I can do it you lot can!

Tis a wee bit tricky though eh? Especially since Raiden III won't let me map the shot to the same button for both ships!

It is, but I was surprised by how far I got. I'm a decent middling player at best, and I did OK. After 30 mins of getting used to it, it's only a little harder than one player. Try it!

But try it using two sticks. I admit I used the 'Map Pin technique' (where you use a bit of card or a pin to wedge down the side of your fire button to hold it in place). Maybe that's naughty, but it's in the book that comes with the Raiden Aces High superplay set, so it must be kosher. Try it!

[DocHauser]

...is it just me or have a bunch of different Raiden threads popped up or gotten active again all of a sudden? It reminds me of a couple months ago when BeeStorm was getting all this love suddenly. And then after a few days it faded back into obscurity... Let's see how long the bandwagon lasts this time..

Hey, don't knock it. It's better than another batch of Touhou threads, right?

[burgerkingdiamond]

...is it just me or have a bunch of different Raiden threads popped up or gotten active again all of a sudden? It reminds me of a couple months ago when BeeStorm was getting all this love suddenly. And then after a few days it faded back into obscurity... Let's see how long the bandwagon lasts this time..

Hey, don't knock it. It's better than another batch of Touhou threads, right?

Yeah, I know. I was just making an observation. I noticed a few high score threads w/new activity, a Raiden PC thread, a dude looking for a DX pcb, and I think something else too... Usually it's all CAVE around here, which doesn't bother me really. I love Raiden, it's a nice change of pace from typical bullet hells.

[mjclark]

But try it using two sticks. I admit I used the 'Map Pin technique' (where you use a bit of card or a pin to wedge down the side of your fire button to hold it in place). Maybe that's naughty, but it's in the book that comes with the Raiden Aces High superplay set, so it must be kosher. Try it!

A-ha! Will give that a try

Not trying to be an ass, but is it just me or have a bunch of different Raiden threads popped up or gotten active again all of a sudden?

Raiden is trending lol
I just glanced at this thread and then got an overwhelming urge to play Raiden III again.
As is the case with any kind of community, here on the forums certain games do certainly seem to come into vogue and the drop out again but actually that's quite refreshing!

[Guardians Knight]

i need no encouragement to start telling everyone how much i like Raiden. Fired up III after Spadgy mentioned it love it again. Put the first Raiden on yesterday and beat my old highscore in the 3rd go, got all the way to 1-7 then died. Damn the hit box is unforgiving tho even compared to III and IV.

anyways my little meander finished....

[Jeneki]

I've probably spent the most time on II and DX. And I love them to death.

That said, I'd have to go with the Fighters series as my favorites, simply because medal chaining is my favorite scoring system ever. So the Fighters series is more fun to me, to play for score.

[Icarus]

Toss-up between RF2 (fast-paced and enjoyable), RFJ (brain-melting insanity) and RDX (classic-styled depth and challenge). I like all of them, though.

[mjclark]

Drifting OT here but:

But try it using two sticks. I admit I used the 'Map Pin technique' (where you use a bit of card or a pin to wedge down the side of your fire button to hold it in place). Maybe that's naughty, but it's in the book that comes with the Raiden Aces High superplay set, so it must be kosher. Try it!

Tried holding down fire buttons with rubber bands then realised that (since bombs clear the screen and bomb stock is shared) there's only the need for a single bomb button and started using shoulder buttons for fire and then of course remembered this thread here about double play controller mappings.
Wicked
@spadgy: you really should put your scores up on the official MOSS site cos there's only 54 entries for Double Play (and I'm at 49 now lol)!

[spadgy]

The Raiden III site? I will do!

And when I get home (currently on a press trip in Iceland) I'll definetly hit up some credits on Raiden III, as this thread has inspired me to give some more love to my favourite shooter series there is.

[The Coop]

Raiden II.

Oldschool gameplay, with great 2D visuals that are loaded with nice design, attention to detail, and shrapnel flying everywhere.

I enjoy the whole franchise, but II is my personal favorite.

[slk486]

Like them all, but the original Raiden is the one I've spent most time with and enjoy the most.

[eatingbadly]

How could anyone vote for Raiden III?

I like Raiden III!

but raiden fighters 2 gets it for me. absolute favorite.

[mjclark]

How could anyone vote for Raiden III?

Because it is the bitch's shit actually.
I am so glad that this thread prompted me to start playing Raiden III again on PC so that I could comprehend it.
Raiden III is beautifully put together and playing it is a real pleasure in itself (bit like R-Type Leo in that respect).
It's simple and elegant but those who know only danmaku and chaining just don't get the flava (and probably don't like Shienryu either).

[professor ganson]

I've spent quite a bit of time with each of the games in the Raiden series proper, but not so much with Fighters series so I can't really make a judgment there. For me there isn't much to argue about with the original series:

Raiden DX
Raiden IV

I think both were on my top 25 list this past year, and have a good shot at remaining there for years to come.

[mortified_penguin]

I want to like Raiden 3 but I just can't get past the super slow ship and super fast bullets. Whatever though, at least it's always been cheap.

[esreveR]

DX and Fighters Jet, obviously. The latter has logged some 200 or so hours of playing.

That said, every game in the series is probably a must-play. I haven't played IV but I want it bad!

[Bloodreign]

Picked Raiden 2 and DX, like the original as well but could only make two choices. Raiden makes a man out of you much like Toaplan games tend to do.

[TMR]

i said Viper Phase 1 because it was there and, when i voted, looked lonely... =-)