Raiden Fighters Jet
| Raiden Fighters Jet | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Seibu Kaihatsu |
| Publisher(s) | |
| Composer(s) | Yasuhiro Hashimoto |
| Series | Raiden |
| Platform(s) | Arcade, Windows |
| Release | Arcade 1998 Windows May 16, 2013 |
| Genre(s) | Scrolling shooter |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, 2 player Co-op |
| Arcade system | Seibu SPI System |
Raiden Fighters Jet (ライデンファイターズJET, Raiden Faitāzu Jetto) is a 1998 vertically scrolling shooter arcade video game by Seibu Kaihatsu. It is a sequel to Raiden Fighters 2, released one year later. Raiden Fighters Jet retains the same game mechanics as its predecessors, while introducing new ones in a departure from the previous games.
Gameplay[edit]
The Hybrid Attack from Raiden Fighters 2 returns in this game. This special attack has been given a graphical facelift, but otherwise remains the same functionally.
A mechanic introduced in this game gauges stage progression on player performance. If the player performs well in a stage, the next stage will have a higher level number, allowing the player to reach the real levels (Phase 1 and Phase 2) earlier. Players not performing well will be sent to a lower level number, or the game session ends early. Additional game modes include playing through all boss encounters only, and a mode in which enemies return fire after being destroyed.
Fighter craft[edit]
Most of the fighter craft from Raiden Fighters 2 appear in this game. Players can choose the color of their selected craft. This game introduces the Ixion, an aircraft with a forward-swept wing configuration, similar to the Grumman X-29 and the Sukhoi Su-47.
Players can either select the Ixion directly at the beginning of the game, or their selected fighter (that is not a secret fighter like the Raiden II and Viper Phase 1 ships) is upgraded to the Ixion upon reaching Phase 1, equipping it with the original fighter's secondary weapons while using the Ixion's primary weapon and movement speed.
Plot[edit]
Raiden Fighters Jet's stage branching mechanic is explained in the game as being part of a training simulation that gauges the player's performance in the simulation. Players who perform well in the simulation will get a chance to pilot the Ixion in a real mission. Depending on the player's performance in the real mission, they will be either given the chance to fight a bomber carrying a nuclear cruise missile or be forced to withdraw before engaging it.
Music[edit]
Raiden Fighters Jet's soundtrack was composed by Yasuhiro Hashimoto and consists of rave and techno music in a departure from the more melodic pop orientated style of the original Raiden game series.
Ports and conversions[edit]
A compilation of all three Raiden Fighters games for the Xbox 360,[1] titled Raiden Fighters Aces, was published by Japanese software company Success Corporation and released on March 27, 2008.[2]
Other versions[edit]
Raiden Fighters Jet 2000, a clone for the Chinese market, runs on cheaper hardware and features notoriously inferior sound than the original.
A newer single-board version was released for the US market. This version of Raiden Fighters Jet is a standalone version that has all fighters available from the start.
Reception[edit]
In Japan, Game Machine listed Raiden Fighters Jet on their October 1, 1998 issue as being the sixth most-successful arcade game of the month.[3]
References[edit]
- ^ Famitsu Weekly; November 21, 2007; magazine scan (http://www.gamersyde.com/gallery_7060_en.html)
- ^ "Raiden Fighters Aces Xbox 360 GameFAQs.com game page". GameFAQs.com. Retrieved 2008-02-27.
- ^ "Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - TVゲーム機ーソフトウェア (Video Game Software)". Game Machine (in Japanese). No. 573. Amusement Press, Inc. 1 October 1998. p. 21.