Raiden IV x MIKADO Remix | PS4

The turbo charged titan of the shmup genre that is 'Raiden IV' returns in a full blown MIKADO Remix. Given the NISA treatment this all inclusive, and updated package comes complete with a new MIKADO BGM soundtrack, four modes of play, and settings galore! It's a beautifully rendered, and extremely challenging game package deal that's all about that highscore, and more bang for your buck. Longtime fans of the series will recognize the title, and the mainstay designs as they return in all their glory with 4k enhancements to boot! 

With this latest release that is 'Raiden IV x MIKADO Remix' you get a whole lot of action, but no story as you fly the unfriendly skies of a war torn future that sees the hero piloted ships modeled after true to life fighter jets. A stark contrast to the more futuristic playable ships we see in most shmups. As a pilot of a Red or Blue ship you get to enter the fray solo or in the company of a local friend. Joining in as a duo in consecutive turns via the Dual setting or as a pair onscreen at the same time in Double. Ships that are playable include the signature player one red ship, the player two blue ship, and as a surprise guest you can also play as the fairy which you can rescue for bonus points in-game. 

Each ship in 'Raiden IV x MIKADO Remix' is upgradeable in the way of basic shot types, and support projectiles. Leaving bombs as the limited screen clearing commodity that they usually are. The game, at base level, is a two button shmup with shots & projectiles being fired using "X", and bombs being deployed using "O". Shot types include basic bullets, spread shots, plasma, and proton lasers/beams. Each with their own gimmicks, and stages of upgrade. On the side, additional projectiles will fire in the form of missiles, homing missiles, and other things that deal extra damage in addition to the simultaneously shot, base shot type. Powering up your shots, and side projectiles is as simple as collecting the corresponding colored gems, or the letter inclusive power-ups. All of which drop from downed enemy craft. These offensive options are of course your go to for getting the points, and highscores associated with the four mode's scoring mechanics.

In accordance to mode selection OverKill, Additional, Score Attack, and Arcade mode stage playthroughs are the mainstay feature. Modes, in general, start with a selecting of key features including a 'Light' or 'Original' difficulty setting for beginners or the experience, respectively. Something that does not include the main difficulty settings of Practice, Very Easy, Easy, Normal, Original, Hard, Very Hard, and Extreme/Ultimate. That, and a selection of either the Plasma or Proton shot types given the mode in question. Each stage, within said modes, have a wave of statically spawning enemy ships, mid-bosses, and end stage transformational bosses set to a top-down 3D layered backdrop. Lesser enemy types spawn both on the ground and in the air as do their boss counterparts, and can be targeted alike with no extra effort needed. Destroying them will net you points based on combos, time killed, collected medals, faeries, and score based power-ups. 

Within the newly introduced OverKill mode there is an overhauled scoring system that ties into it's namesake. Certain larger enemy ships, once destroyed, can be overkilled in up to five stages netting you anywhere from 10k to 100k points according to how much of their overkill meter you are able to fill through persisting shots. Filling the overkill meter seems to be inline with a maintained shooting of the initially destroyed ships' remains. If you move or your shot strays away from that target the meter growth will be voided. Ultimately leaving you with a collectible power-up that contains in textual font the level you reached. Additionally earnings of points in OverKill is also done by how quick you kill an enemy ship, and which of the two medals it drops for those efforts. Killing a ship instantly will drop a golden medal whereas a delayed killing will drop a silver one. The golden medal being of more value than it's silver counter part. Both are tallied alongside the overkills in their respective level categories. Giving you your total score at the end of a stage completion.

As with 'OverKill', 'Additional' is a new mode tacked on with new content. This particular mode features an Arcade-like playthrough with two new stages. Complete with settings tied to the player orientation, difficulty level, BGM, ship stock, and ship selection. Something all modes have, to some degree. In a similar fashion Arcade mode plays out with similarly set stages of waves of enemy ships, mid-boss encounters as well as a final boss that must be defeated to complete the current sub-stage of the given stage. Within Arcade scoring differs greatly from OverKill, and relies mostly on combo kills, basic medallion pick-ups, and ship killing in general. Things like collecting the hidden fairies also counts towards that end score tally. As far as credits and continues go they are limited, but can be set to a player's preference in the pre-game lobby menu, or at the main menu settings. 

Last, but certainly not least is the Score Attack mode. A singular stage affair in which getting the highest score for that one stage is the end goal. You can select your starting stage as you can in the previously mentioned modes, and when a run is complete you can upload your score, and even save your replay. Again another all around staple feature for each mode in the game. Score Mode does piggyback off of the OverKill mode's scoring system making it a more modern addition to this remixed collection.

Extras, as they are, are notable enough. Screen orientation can be flipped horizontal or vertical in four different positions. Turning it into a TATE mode experience, or a variation of horizontal/vertical. Each screen layout is also accompanied by border art. Reflecting the ship that's being used, or the designs seen in-game on the enemy ships and loading screens. Sound level can be adjusted too, and you can change it from the original BGM or to the MIKADO remix. You can even listen to the BGM songs individually in that menu. Lastly the game features an interesting gallery. A collection of enemy ship sprites that you have encountered, and killed. Becoming available as you do so.

The Verdict ...

The Raiden series is one of the more well known shmups from the early arcade scene. It's one most genre fans will recognize. They know it for it's tough as nails challenges, and it's bragging rights for those who can master it. The soundtrack is also about as well known as the game itself. A collection of metal era music with rocking tunes that really get you into the rhythm of the onscreen action. With the added MIKADO remix we get to see a different side to that original BGM. Featuring more synth wave and techno style beats done by some of Japan's most prestigious musicians. A top notch musical score which credits each artist separately, and in-game. This is one of this game's more shining offerings.

Music aside, gameplay is glowing and graphically gorgeous. On a 4k HDTV with HDR settings set to "ON" on the PS4 the game looks amazing. Everything about it pops out of the screen like a fireworks show. The added fact that you get access to four complete modes of play, and two mechanically different ways to play it separated by layers of difficulty options makes it a more gamer attractive experience. I realize though that tough as nails shoot 'em ups like Raiden can be somewhat off putting, but for what you get it's definitely worth a try, regardless. For shmup fans this will be a no brainer. If you are a fan, or simply fancy trying out a new genre NISA has got your back with 'Raiden IV x MIKADO Remix". It's a proper tribute, and all inclusive port of one of gaming's most noteworthy arcade era titles!!!