RagingBlasters
- January 22, 2021
- TERARIN GAMES
Get on Steam"Raging Blasters" is a Shooter game with delightful mechanics, pretty visuals, and a wonderful soundtrack. It offers single-player and two-player cooperative play, both locally and online, with the latter allowing for score comparisons. The game boasts eight stages in Arcade mode and a Caravan mode for 3-minute score attacks, controlled using a directional stick and three customizable buttons, with various weapons and patterns for an exhilarating experience.
PC
Steam Deck
Windows
Reviews
- Raging Blasters is an excellent introduction to the shmup genre, offering a fun and forgiving experience for beginners while still providing enough challenge for veterans.
- The game features a fantastic soundtrack, tight controls, and visually clear graphics that enhance the overall gameplay experience.
- With multiple difficulty modes and a highly addictive caravan mode, players can enjoy both casual play and competitive scoring, making it a highly recommended title for fans of retro shooters.
- Some players have noted that the boss fights can feel tedious, especially if the player does not have the right weapon, leading to a less engaging experience during those encounters.
- The abundance of weapon power-ups can be overwhelming, making it difficult to avoid unwanted changes that can lead to frustrating deaths.
- While the game is enjoyable, some critics feel it lacks depth compared to other modern shmups, making it feel somewhat simplistic in design.
- music56 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised as a standout feature, with many reviewers highlighting its catchy and beautiful soundtrack that complements the fast-paced gameplay. While some noted minor issues with certain arrangements and repetitiveness, the overall consensus is that the soundtrack is a must-listen, enhancing the gaming experience significantly. Players recommend purchasing the soundtrack bundle for an even richer auditory experience.
“The music is the high point of the game.”
“The pace is fast, the music is beautiful, and there is a lot of love and hard work that were put into making this game.”
“The music is absolute class and is easily up there with any I have heard, a definite must buy for the game and soundtrack.”
“Only downsides are that some of the bosses are lackluster, the scanline effect is iffy, and the chiptune arrangement of the soundtrack isn't that great.”
“But the normal soundtrack?”
“Very catchy soundtrack, recommended if you like fast pop music, a bit repetitive.”
- gameplay40 mentions
- 65 % positive mentions
- 28 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by its fast-paced, fluid mechanics that provide an enjoyable and rewarding experience, appealing to both beginners and seasoned players. Players appreciate the simple yet effective scoring system, smooth difficulty curve, and engaging arcade-style action, complemented by a fantastic soundtrack. While the graphics may not be the most advanced, they effectively capture the nostalgic feel of classic shooters, enhancing the overall addictive nature of the game.
“The overall gameplay is frantic, yet very enjoyable to play with a learning curve just right for beginners and those who want to decompress.”
“Not only is the gameplay fast, fluid, and rewarding, but there are lots of nice extra touches here and there: for instance, a lot of useful stats for your current run are displayed on the sides of the screen.”
“The game's mechanics may seem simple at first glance, but you can get very tricky and stylish in subsequent runs if you plan ahead.”
“Very smooth difficulty curve and nervously fast gameplay.”
“The gameplay is very fast-paced, exciting, and keeps you on your toes even in seemingly 'slower' sections.”
- graphics28 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 32 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game feature a minimalist, retro-inspired aesthetic that effectively captures an 80's-90's arcade feel, with options like scanlines enhancing the experience. While some players prefer the clarity of the PC version over the Switch edition, the overall visual style is praised for its simplicity, colorfulness, and ability to maintain clarity during fast-paced action. Despite being less technically advanced than some competitors, the graphics are described as crisp and pleasing, contributing positively to the game's fun and engaging gameplay.
“The graphics are fantastic in their arcade-y retro style, and you can have the option to add scanlines as well (although there is no option for you to rotate the monitor to maximize the size, but it's still visible!).”
“The graphics have a wonderful 8-bit aesthetic which provides a clean and clear view of the action, which is a good thing as the game moves at a really fast pace.”
“The speed and smooth movements make the game really fun; the graphics are crisp and pleasing to the eye, and the sound effects are addictive.”
“The graphics have a minimalist look that looks like they were made in MS Paint.”
“The Switch edition has technically better graphics (not better) and probably will suit some people better.”
“Besides the awesome scoring mechanics and the accurately tailored difficulties, the graphics of the game, though muted and not as pretty as some other titles from Cave or Toaplan, suit the theme and style of the game beautifully as the game really exudes an 80's-90's feel.”
- grinding4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while it can be tedious against certain bosses, particularly the final form, the game remains enjoyable and accessible for beginners. The depth of the game encourages players to grind for higher scores, adding a layer of engagement.
“On normal, some of the bosses, especially the last boss's final form, can be a bit tedious if you don't have the right weapon.”
“Grinding is necessary to achieve top scores, which can feel repetitive and time-consuming.”
“The game has a fun and beginner-friendly design, but the depth required for grinding can become overwhelming.”
- story4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -25 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The story features a classic sci-fi narrative where two space-age girls pilot advanced fighters to save humanity and the galaxy from mechanized overlords, reminiscent of the "Star Soldier" series. It serves as an engaging entry point for beginners, making it accessible for players new to the genre while still offering challenges for more experienced gamers.
“What do you get when you combine Star Soldier with the usual idea that one - nay, two space-age girls volunteer to fly their hi-tech space fighters in a mission to save mankind and the galaxy from mechanized overlords?”
“The story feels like a tired rehash of the same old tropes, lacking any originality or depth.”
“The plot is predictable and fails to engage, making it hard to care about the characters or their mission.”
“The narrative is convoluted and poorly executed, leaving players confused rather than immersed in the experience.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game offers moderate replayability, primarily through its arcade mode, which can be completed in about 25-30 minutes. Players are encouraged to replay for higher scores and to enjoy cooperative gameplay with friends.
“The arcade mode can be completed in roughly 25-30 minutes, and the replay value of the game comes from scoring higher and enjoying cooperative fun with friends.”
“The arcade mode can be completed in roughly 25-30 minutes, and the replay value of the game comes from scoring higher and/or cooperative fun with friends.”
