Overview – developed by MOSS and published by NIS America, Raiden IV x MIKADO Remix is an enhanced version of the classic arcade bullet hell shooter. This version of the game features a remixed soundtrack, additional gameplay modes and extra stages, creating the ultimate Raiden IV experience. This version of the game is available for PlayStation 4/5, Xbox platforms and Steam with a link to different versions of the game at the bottom of this review.
Disclaimer: before I get into the review, I would like to thank NIS America for providing the copy of Raiden IV x MIKADO Remix that was used for this piece. The provision of this software has not influenced the contents of this review, all thoughts and opinions contained within are my own.
Now with the introductions out of the way, let’s get into the review. There is little in terms of a narrative for this release, so I will be moving directly into discussing the gameplay of this title. Please note I will be referring to this title as Raiden IV Remix for the sake of brevity.
Gameplay – Raiden IV Remix is a vertical, bullet hell shooter that takes place over several stages, battling enemies that will attack the players with a relentless hail of bullets. The game is split into several modes, each featuring unique features that separate them from the others, alongside special play styles that tailor the experience to the player.
The game modes in Raiden IV Remix are as follows;
- Arcade – play through the original game in either original or light, with light only having five stages in a single loop. However, original mode is tougher and features two loops of the game with a final stage appearing at the end of the second. In this mode there is a score multiplier system called “Flash Shot”, giving a higher multiplier depending on how quickly the enemies are defeated.
- Additional Mode – this gameplay mode is functionally identical to the original mode in Arcade, with two gameplay loops, the multiplier system and stage layouts. However, in this mode there are two extra stages, bumping the total number of stages from 11 to 15. The increase in the number of stages expands the gameplay loop, challenging the player further than arcade.
- Overkill Mode – play through the same stages as Additional Mode, with two special missions that occur during each of the two loops. The score system is also different with this mode, a new mechanic dubbed the “Overkill Meter” is here where players can score bonuses on large enemies by dealing extra damage after defeating them. To make up for the removal of the Flash Shot multiplier, rings are awarded for defeating enemies quickly.
- Score Attack – take on stages from the different game modes, with the different difficulty modes and features available as they are unlocked during play. This mode is best used for practicing the stages to refine the player skills.
- Ranking Mode – play a single credit run of each mode, submitting the score against the best players in the world and compete for worldwide fame.
- Boss Rush – battle against the bosses of the game that have been previously defeated, fighting them in single battles to set a high score. The difficulty can be set like other game modes, letting players practice just like the Score Attack mode.
During stages in all of the standard game modes players can collect power-ups from defeating enemies, with each one collected boosting the strength of each weapon. The weapons vary depending on the ship chosen on the main menu, separated into main, sub and bomb weapons, each with their own distinct icon. The sub-weapons have a powered up state that deals increased damage, available when the player holds off firing for a moment.
The battles can be intense with bullets covering the screen, making it difficult to dodge at times making the bomb weapon very powerful. When in danger, a bomb can be deployed that wipes out all incoming projectiles on screen. However, great care must be taken when fighting enemies and bosses, since being downed by an enemy will cause power-ups to be lost. When the player does get taken down, they will drop some items that can help them get back into the fight and replenish their bombs.
At the end of a standard stage bosses will appear, fighting the player in multi-stage battles. Each boss has their own unique attack pattern, making each battle a unique challenge during the course of the two game loop. When the boss has been defeated, bonuses will be provided based on performance and remaining lives/bombs. The highest score will be added to the top of the screen, with a high score being added to the local leaderboards if the player continues or gives up.
When it comes to continuing, the player will have limited credits during play. These are not shown during play, which means that the player will be unaware of how many they have remaining when using them. This means that it is possible to fail, however each time the player loses, additional credits will be rewarded based on progress. It is possible to unlock unlimited credits for the standard modes, which will be made available when specific requirements are met.
The last parts of the gameplay experience to discuss are the different play styles , which change the player players can enjoy this release. First up is the Solo mode, where players can pick the player 1 or player 2 side, taking on the challenges of the game alone. The choice that the player makes of player 1 or 2 has no impact on the overall gameplay, with the only difference being the color of the ship and the on screen display.
Then we have Dual play, which is the 2 player co-op mode. When working together in this mode, players can strengthen their attacks by lining up one behind the other, attacking in tandem to make powerful combo attacks. This is can be taken further by mixing the different ships together for different weapons. There is also a competitive element to this mode, with players getting a win or loss at the end of the stage, which is determined by the performance of the players.
Finally there is Double play, a very special challenge for only the most dedicated Raiden players. In this unique mode, a single player is able to play as both player 1 and 2 ships with the same controller. This extreme challenge is a real test of skill and co-ordination, as players must be aware of both ships and a hail of bullets that targets them. It may be possible for two players to play the game with one controller, but that may cause more problems than solve them.
Now with the gameplay covered, it is time to move onto the other aspects of this release, starting with the controls.
Controls – as a vertical arcade shooter, the inputs are very simple featuring a two button system for shooting and bombs. The movement of the ships is controlled by the thumbstick and D-pad, allowing players to use whichever style of play they are comfortable with. All of the inputs can be remapped freely, allowing players to enjoy the game with any controller layout. It is also possible to play the game with an arcade stick, if you have a supported peripheral or adapter.
Difficulty – there is a plethora of difficulty options for Raiden IV Remix, letting players choose an option that is appropriate for their skill level. The different options change how enemies function, ranging from increasing enemy fire rates to being able to shoot enemy bullets. This suite of challenge settings is excellent, making for one of the most accessible bullet hell shooters in recent times. But there is one issue that makes it really tough, the lack of a visible hitbox for the player ship.
Presentation – visually, this title is a perfect replication of the original experience, with some polish to the resolution running natively at 1080p. There are no issues in terms of frame rate, lag or overall performance. There is also the ability to rotate the screen 90 degrees, allowing for players who have suitable screens to play in Tate Mode. This title also features a brand new soundtrack, arranged especially for this release produced by Game Center MIKADO.
Final Thoughts – I am quite fond of Raiden as a series, having reviewed Raiden III x MIKADO MANIAX preciously which can be found (HERE). So I was quite happy to jump into this title and get to grips with it on PS4. I can say that this game is punishing and brutal, taking me half a dozen attempts to beat the game on the lowest difficulty. However, the more I played, the more I adapted to the game managing to reach the original difficulty setting, but sadly that was my skill limit.
The game is extremely challenging, but it is rewarding as the satisfaction of making it a little bit further or getting a new score is worth the effort. Each time I failed there was some frustration, but it is part of the bullet hell cycle, try, die, try again. I am more than happy to recommend this game to all fans of Vertical shooters, bullet hell or otherwise. It may be a little off-putting for some, but the varied difficulty options make it one of the more accessible titles in the genre.
In the end, I give Raiden IV x MIKADO Remix a final score of 4.5/5. This is the definitive version of Raiden IV a brutally challenging bullet hell shooter, with a plethora of modes to enjoy, additional content that wasn’t in the original and a brand new arranged soundtrack. If you want to check this title out for yourself, a link to each version of the game will be below. Please note, a Nintendo Switch version of the game is available, but it is not published by NIS America.
Link to PlayStation version (HERE)
Link to Xbox version (HERE)
Link to Steam version (HERE)
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