Raiden NOVA | 雷電NOVA | 雷電新星 | Game Brain

About

The legendary vertical scrolling shooter "Raiden" is reborn as a thrilling twin-stick 2D shooter! Freely aim and shoot with dual sticks, dodging bullets from every direction. Level up to unlock a variety of weapons and enhancements, and upgrade your ship to fight your way through epic battles. Features: Navigate your ship with the left analog stick and aim your shots with the right a…

Genres & Tags

Action

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

85%

Audience ScoreBased on 26 reviews

gameplay4 positive mentions

graphics4 negative mentions

The game offers a solid blend of Vampire Survivors and Raiden gameplay mechanics, providing engaging and addictive gameplay.
The soundtrack is excellent, featuring classic Raiden tunes that enhance the overall experience.
There is a good variety of upgrade builds and permanent ships to unlock, which keeps the gameplay fresh and interesting.

The graphics are subpar, resembling outdated visuals from previous console generations, and there are no options to adjust the resolution.
The game can feel excessively grindy, with some achievements requiring an impractical amount of time to unlock, which may deter players.
Navigation can be frustrating due to a lack of a map and unclear indicators for targets, making it difficult to locate items and objectives.

graphics
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
68%
18%
The graphics of the game have been described as subpar, with a fixed 720p resolution, low-poly models, and low-res textures, which detracts from the overall experience. While the gameplay is praised, many users express disappointment over the lack of graphics options and the simplistic visuals, especially for a title released in 2024. Overall, the visuals are seen as a significant drawback, overshadowing the otherwise enjoyable gameplay.
- “But I kind of like having a Vampire Saviors clone with Go Sato music and cooler (to me) aesthetics and where shmup skills actually have value.”
- “The longer you can keep a run going, the more fun it becomes, as your weaponry grows to spectacular levels (which is why Moss were forced to keep the graphics simple, to sustain 60fps on the Switch).”
- “Japanese games tend to be dropped and then abandoned, so I'm not hoping for a patch that'll address these things, but I certainly hope for a Raiden Nova 2 with much better graphics, more polish, and better playtesting.”
- “To sum it up, great gameplay and lackluster visuals.”
- “As a straight Switch port - a handheld Switch port, at that - the game runs at a fixed 720p resolution, and the graphics are just subpar, with low-poly models and low-res textures.”
- “The only thing I ask for is to please add graphics options, because 720p is a bit low resolution for a game released in 2024 (where 1080p and sometimes even 1440p displays are ridiculously cheap compared to previous pricing).”
gameplay
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
65%
15%
The gameplay is described as a blend of vampire survivors and shoot 'em up (shmup) mechanics, offering an engaging and addictive experience despite the typical roguelike grind. However, it may not satisfy traditional shmup enthusiasts, particularly Raiden veterans, who might find the gameplay lacking in depth and detail. Overall, it's recommended for those who enjoy both genres, but caution is advised for players seeking classic shmup experiences.
- “Nice mixture of vampire survivors and shmup gameplay mechanics.”
- “Gameplay is engaging and addictive, so the grind isn't that much of a standout.”
- “To sum it up, great gameplay and lackluster visuals.”
- “Yes, you have to loot for hours (typical roguelike mechanics).”
- “There is nothing here for Raiden veterans other than familiarity with weapons that existed in Raiden V, and even then it isn't the same because you have such a big zoom for the gameplay field that you probably won't be able to see the details for some of the weapons at all.”
- “If you want classic Raiden gameplay, buy Raiden IV instead.”
music
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The music in the game is highly praised, featuring a kickass soundtrack typical of Raiden games, with notable classic tunes in the last stage. Players appreciate the blend of Go Sato's music and the game's unique aesthetics, enhancing the overall experience while emphasizing the value of shmup skills.
- “Of course, a kickass soundtrack you would expect in a Raiden game made by Moss.”
- “I kind of like having a Vampire Savior clone with Go Sato music and cooler aesthetics, where shmup skills actually have value.”
- “The sound and music are good, especially the last stage which features some classic Raiden tunes.”
grinding
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessive and necessary for progress, which may deter many from continuing to play. While grinding is expected in this genre, the extent of it can lead to frustration and a loss of interest before players achieve their goals.
- “It really sucks that something is so necessary to making quick progress in this game because the game is so grindy that a lot of people won't want to play anymore by the time they get those things unlocked.”
- “Grindy, but that's the name of the game.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game demonstrates excellent stability, with users reporting a smooth experience and no issues encountered during gameplay.
- “Runs great without any issues”