Raiden III Digital Edition

About

In Raiden III Digital Edition, players must defend Earth from alien invasion in this scrolling shooter game, which features a new 3D scrolling system, exclusive attack skills for two-player co-op mode, and various game modes including Score Attack and Boss Mode. The original soundtrack is included as a bonus digital extra.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Local Multi-Player Play with friends in the same physical space using split-screen or multiple screens
2-Players Play with one other player, either online or locally, in a cooperative or competitive game mode
Multi-Player Compete or cooperate with other players online
Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo
Split Screen Play with multiple players on the same screen, often with divided or shared screen real estate

76%

Audience ScoreBased on 168 reviews

graphics10 positive mentions

story3 negative mentions

Great nostalgic experience for fans of the Raiden series, capturing the classic arcade feel with fast-paced gameplay and challenging mechanics.
The game features a solid soundtrack and engaging gameplay, with multiple difficulty settings and modes like Score Attack and Boss Rush for added replayability.
Despite its age, the graphics and ship designs are appealing, and the game runs well on various systems, making it accessible for players.

The port suffers from poor controller support, requiring manual configuration and often not recognizing gamepads, which can frustrate players.
The game is locked at a low resolution (640x480) with limited graphical options, leading to a blurry full-screen experience and a lack of modern visual enhancements.
Many players report technical issues such as crashes on startup, and the overall lack of polish in the port makes it feel like a missed opportunity for a classic title.

graphics
33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
58%
12%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players expressing disappointment over the lack of high-resolution textures and filtering, particularly on larger screens. While a few commend the visuals as aesthetically pleasing and fitting for the game's age, others criticize them as outdated and lacking in options for customization. Overall, the graphics are seen as a significant aspect that could benefit from improvement, despite some players enjoying the nostalgic feel and dynamic effects.
- “Visuals are mind-blowing, and the gameplay is very addictive.”
- “Kudos for the aesthetically pleasing vehicle models and still appealing destruction effects.”
- “The leap from 2D to 3D graphics does the game well, allowing for dynamic camera angles for the background as well as giving the ships and energy beams much greater detail than before.”
- “Very disappointed this is a lift from a mobile phone game, very poor graphics when on big screen.”
- “Graphics are worse on screen sizes 0.5x, 1.5x, and 2x, due to the lack of filtering and high-resolution textures.”
- “No graphical settings to be found here.”
music
27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
44%
15%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising its energetic and nostalgic qualities reminiscent of 90s arcade sounds, while others find it less memorable compared to previous installments in the series. Many players appreciate the inclusion of the soundtrack with the game, highlighting its upbeat and charismatic nature, though some note that certain tracks can become monotonous over time. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a significant aspect of the gameplay experience, contributing to the game's fun and addictive qualities.
- “The soundtrack is masterminded, charismatic, and upbeat!”
- “As you play through each level, adrenaline-pumping music blasts through the speakers with electronic sounds and bass, giving you the feeling you are back in the loud arcades of the 90s.”
- “The music is the best I've heard yet in the series; the gameplay is spot on (and hard), and the presentation is the most beautiful I've seen in any of the series I've played!”
- “The music in the game isn't as memorable as previous games, and honestly this is just an issue with the series where the franchise just relies too much on classic iconic themes across time.”
- “It's an original soundtrack this time around, I personally don't find it too memorable and even stranger is that a few themes were reused in Raiden IV for some strange reason.”
- “The music is, in fact, kinda bad once you leave Earth, though this is not the fault of the composer.”
gameplay
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
50%
21%
The gameplay in the latest Raiden installment remains true to its roots, featuring addictive mechanics and a blend of classic and bullet-hell elements. While the graphics may show their age, the core shooting mechanics and energetic music enhance the overall experience, making it a polished arcade shooter. Players will find the game challenging yet rewarding, requiring consistent practice to master its intricacies.
- “Visuals are mind-blowing, and the gameplay is very addictive.”
- “It is showing its age with the graphics but don’t let that put you off as the gameplay is superb and the music is energetic and fun.”
- “Beyond some walls people may encounter to get the game to run, this is probably the last Raiden game in the old style with limited scoring mechanics and fast bullets from the get-go before Raiden IV and V turned the franchise into something different from the norm.”
- “The 3D background is old school but okay, although it doesn't add anything gameplay-wise.”
- “Although it gets more bullet hell the further into the game you get, at least the opening levels are Raiden through and through. For the most part, this is definitely the Raiden you remember, faithful to the core gameplay that makes Raiden Raiden but with an added bullet-hell twist in the tail.”
story
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
The story in the game has been criticized for being overly lengthy and drawn out, with many reviewers noting a lack of depth or engagement, resulting in a generally unremarkable narrative experience.
- “The story in Raiden V is a bit too long and drawn out.”
- “There isn't much to say about the story of this game.”
- “There isn't much to say about the story of this game.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
150%
Overall, the game's stability is generally positive, with users noting that it runs well and looks great. However, some players may need to troubleshoot controller compatibility issues, particularly if they are fans of the older Raiden games.
- “Super fun, looks and runs great.”
- “The game runs smoothly without any crashes or glitches.”
- “I appreciate how stable the gameplay is, making for a seamless experience.”
- “The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable at times.”
- “I experienced constant lag and frame drops, which ruined the overall experience.”
- “The online multiplayer is unstable, with frequent disconnections and server issues.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's optimization is lacking, particularly for newer hardware, as it shows minimal improvements since its original 2006 release. Despite these shortcomings, it remains a worthwhile purchase for dedicated shooter enthusiasts.
- “A re-release of a PC game from 2006 with almost no optimization for newer hardware.”
- “While it isn't as optimized as others here on Steam, it is still worth a purchase for die-hard shooter fans.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The humor in the game is characterized by its absurd and whimsical elements, such as "speeding winning bullets" that comically transform bachelors into various spaces, adding a lighthearted and entertaining twist to the gameplay.
- “The game is filled with clever puns and witty dialogue that had me laughing out loud.”
- “I love how the characters have such quirky personalities that lead to hilarious interactions.”
- “The absurd situations and unexpected twists kept the humor fresh and entertaining throughout.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players highlight the game's strong replayability, driven by its engaging graphics and challenging enemy AI, which keeps the experience fresh and exciting. The visual effects also add to the enjoyment, making each playthrough feel dynamic and rewarding.
- “The graphics are impressive, and the game offers a lot of replayability with challenging enemy AI and the excitement of watching the screen light up with vibrant bursts.”
- “The replayability factor is high, as each playthrough feels fresh and engaging.”
- “With multiple paths and outcomes, this game encourages you to dive back in for a different experience every time.”