Rayxanber | |
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Developer(s) | Data West |
Publisher(s) | Data West |
Director(s) | Kazuhide Nakamura |
Producer(s) | Naokazu Akita |
Programmer(s) | Takayasu Sato |
Artist(s) | Takeharu Igarashi Yoshiko Miyamoto |
Composer(s) | Yasuhito Saito |
Series | Rayxanber |
Platform(s) | FM Towns |
Release |
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Genre(s) | Scrolling shooter |
Mode(s) | Single-player |
Rayxanber [lower-alpha 1] is a 1990 scrolling shooter video game developed and published by Data West for the FM Towns. It is the first entry in the Rayxanber series, followed by Rayxanber II (1991) and Rayxanber III (1992) for the PC Engine platform. [1] In the game, the player assumes the role of a fighter pilot from Earth controlling the RT-X-32 space craft to fight against the biomechanical Zoul Empire. The title was created by Team 50, a group within Data West. The soundtrack was scored by Yasuhito Saito, who composed for other titles such as Layla and The 4th Unit series. It garnered mixed reception from critics.
Rayxanber is a science fiction-themed scrolling shooter game reminiscent of R-Type , in which the player takes control of a fighter pilot from Earth controlling the RT-X-32 space craft to fight against the biomechanical Zoul Empire. [2] [3] The player controls the ship through eight increasingly difficult stages over a constantly scrolling background, populated with an assortment of bioships, organic fortresses and obstacles. [3] [4] The scenery never stops moving until a boss is reached, which must be fought in order to progress further.
There are three types of weapon units in the game the player can acquire by collecting their respective colors when dropped by carriers when shot down and alternate between each one by obtaining another weapon during gameplay, ranging from fire (red), barriers (green), and multi-directional laser (blue). [2] [3] Each weapon can be powered-up and collecting any weapon unit equips the ship with a set of two satellite-like options that fire based on the direction the unit was rotating towards before being obtained. By holding down the attack button, the player can charge the ship's cannon to unleash a more powerful blast against enemies. [2] The ship is also capable of performing a dash maneuver to evade incoming enemy fire or obstacles. [2]
The title employs a checkpoint system in which a downed player will start off at the beginning of the checkpoint they managed to reach before dying. [2] Getting hit by enemy fire or colliding against solid stage obstacles will result in losing a life, as well as a penalty of decreasing the ship's firepower and loss of the weapon that was currently in use, and the game is over once all lives are lost, though the player has unlimited continues to keep playing. [3]
Rayxanber was developed by Team 50, a group within Data West composed of director Kazuhide Nakamura, programmer Takayasu Sato, artists Takeharu Igarashi and Yoshiko Miyamoto, producer Naokazu Akita and two playtesters. [1] [2] [5] [6] The soundtrack was scored by Yasuhito Saito, who composed for other titles such as Layla and The 4th Unit series. [5] [6] The game was published in Japan by Data West on April 13, 1990, for the FM Towns, although it was originally scheduled for a March release. [1] [3] [4] [7] In a 2020 interview with Japanese gaming website DenFaminicoGamer, a Data West representative commented that there were no current plans for a digital re-release of the Rayxanber series through their official online store, but would consider it if there is demand. [8]
Publication | Score |
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Technopolis | [3] |
Rayxanber received mixed reception from critics. [1] The Japanese publication Micom BASIC Magazine ranked the game at the number thirty-one spot in popularity on their July 1990 issue. [9] A writer for Japanese gaming magazine Technopolis commended the audiovisual presentation but noted its difficulty. [3] David Borrachero of Spanish gaming magazine RetroManiac regarded it as a curiosity and stated that the visuals were inspired by R-Type and Gradius . Borrachero also found its playability fair but claimed that "it offers almost nothing that we have not already seen." [10] Hardcore Gaming 101 's John Sczepaniak wrote that "There is little redeemable about the original Rayxanber apart from the fact that if your only gaming system in 1990 was an FM Towns computer, there were only a couple of other shooters available to you. Otherwise it’s a fairly unremarkable game." [2]
Rayxanber spawned two sequels on the PC Engine. [1] [2] In 1991, Rayxanber II was released for the PC Engine CD-ROM², becoming a success when it released in Japan but garnered mixed reception from critics reviewing it as an import title and retrospective commentaries, most of which noted its high difficulty nature. [1] [11] [12] [13] [14] In 1992, Rayxanber III was released for the PC Engine Super CD-ROM², [13] serving as the last entry in the trilogy. [1] [15] It was anticipated by Japanese players, [16] but garnered mixed reception from reviewers. However, it has been retroactively considered one of the best games for the PC Engine and one of the most important shooting titles on the platform. [17] [18]
Knightmare is a 1986 vertically scrolling shooter video game developed and published by Konami for the MSX home computer. It was included in compilations for the MSX, PlayStation and Sega Saturn, followed by a port for mobile phones, and digital re-releases for the Virtual Console and Microsoft Windows. It is the first entry in the Knightmare trilogy. The game stars Popolon, a warrior who embarks on a quest to rescue the princess Aphrodite from the evil priest Hudnos. The player must fight waves of enemies while avoiding collision with their projectiles and obstacles along the way, and facing against bosses.
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Valis: The Fantasm Soldier is a 1986 action-platform video game originally developed by Wolf Team and published by Telenet Japan for the MSX, PC-8801, X1, FM-7, and PC-9801 home computers. It is the first entry in the Valis series. It stars Yuko Asou, a Japanese teenage schoolgirl chosen as the Valis warrior and wielder of the mystical Valis sword to protect the Earth, the land of spirits, and the dream world Vecanti from demon lord Rogles. Through the journey, the player explores and search for items and power-ups, while fighting enemies and defeating bosses to increase Yuko's attributes.
Valis II is a 1989 action-platform video game originally developed by Laser Soft, published by Telenet Japan and NEC for the PC Engine CD-ROM²/TurboGrafx-CD. A home computer version was released for PC-8801, MSX2, PC-9801 and X68000. A super deformed-style remake was also released in 1992 for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis. It is the second entry in the eponymous series. It stars Yuko Asou, a Japanese schoolgirl teenager chosen to become the Valis warrior by wielding the titular mystical sword, after defeating the demon lord Rogles. The dream world Vecanti fell under the rule of emperor Megas, whose hatred towards his brother Rogles and bloodthirsty tendencies seeks to wipe out traces of the former tyrant, including his supporters. Gameplay varies between each version but all share similar elements, as the player explores and search for items and power-ups, while fighting enemies and defeat bosses.
The Legendary Axe II is a horizontal platform video game created in 1990 by Victor Musical Industries. It is the follow-up to The Legendary Axe.
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Truxton II is a 1992 vertically scrolling shooter arcade video game originally developed and published by Toaplan in Japan and Europe. It is the sequel to Truxton, which was released earlier on arcades in 1988 and later ported to various platforms.
Cyber Core is a 1990 vertically scrolling shooter video game developed by Alfa System and published in Japan by Information Global Service (IGS) and in North America by NEC for the TurboGrafx-16. Set in the year 2269 where Earth has been overrun by an alien race known as Hyper Insects, the player controls a Chimera bio-fighter craft, piloted by the enforcer Rad Ralph in order to fend off the invaders and reclaim the planet. Similar to Dragon Spirit, Ralph has a projectile weapon for destroying air-based enemies and a bomb for destroying ground-based enemies.
Mad Stalker: Full Metal Forth is a 1994 side-scrolling beat 'em up game developed by Fill-in-Cafe and published by Family Soft in Japan for the X68000. It is the fourth game to be created and released by both Fill-in-Cafe and Family Soft for the X68000 platform late into its commercial life span, after being discontinued in 1993.
Cho Ren Sha 68K is a 1995 vertically scrolling dōjin shoot 'em up video game developed and originally published by Koichi "Famibe No Yosshin" Yoshida at Comiket for the X68000. Taking place in a ring structure, players take control of the Zanki space fighter craft to fight against an assortment of enemies and bosses.
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Rayxanber II is a 1991 horizontally scrolling shooter video game developed and published by Data West for the PC Engine CD-ROM². It is the sequel to Rayxanber, which was released earlier in 1990 for the FM Towns. In the game, the player assumes the role of a fighter pilot controlling a space craft to protect Earth against an alien invasion led by the returning Zoul Empire. The title was created by Team 50, a group within Data West that previously worked on the first entry for FM Towns. The music was scored by Yasuhito Saito, who composed for the original entry and also worked on titles such as Layla and The 4th Unit series.
Rayxanber III is a 1992 scrolling shooter video game developed and published by Data West for the PC Engine Super CD-ROM². It is a follow-up to Rayxanber II, which was released earlier in 1991 for the PC Engine CD-ROM², and the last entry in the Rayxanber trilogy. In the game, the player assumes the role of a fighter pilot controlling a space craft deployed into the homeworld of the Zoul Empire, in retaliation for the destruction of a mother ship from Earth. It retains the same gameplay as its predecessors, with the players fighting against an assortment of enemy forces while avoiding collision with their projectiles and other obstacles.
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Illusion City is a role-playing video game originally developed and published by Microcabin for the MSX Turbo R home computer. It was later ported to PC-88 and PC-98 computers, FM Towns, X68000, and Sega Mega-CD. The story takes place in the 21st century after Hong Kong was devastated by a demonic attack, before the crisis was isolated and the region was reformed under new order by SIVA corporation. The game follows demon hunter Tianren, gathering information in order to unravel the mystery surrounding the demonic beings and SIVA corporation. Gameplay features a growing party led by Tianren navigating the city, talking with non-playable characters, exploring complex areas, and taking part in turn-based battles against enemies.