Raiden III x MIKADO MANIAX Review

Released for consoles earlier this year, MOSS and NIS America are revisiting a classic with the release of Raiden III x MIKADO MANIAX on PC. Featuring a number of tweaks and new features, should veterans jump into the cockpit once more?

Raiden III x MIKADO MANIAX Review

This shoot-em-up is easy to pick up, but hard to master – a hallmark of the genre. The objective is simple: Players will still shoot anything and everything that stands in their way, upgrading their fire power, utilizing layers, and dropping a screen-clearing bomb when things get hairy. Action will take players through cities, seaport areas, and even outer space through seven different levels as they absolutely raze everything that gets in their way.

For those who have spent decades with genre-bending titles like Ikaruga or Risk System, the action in Raiden III x MIKADO MANIAX is a bit on the simple side. The original release dates back to 2005, but things are a bit too safe overall when all things are considered. There’s still a sizable challenge, don’t get us wrong; however, even its paltry 30 minute runtime drags a little bit due to the lack of too many wrinkles.

However, there are a few ways players can spice things up in Raiden III x MIKADO MANIAX. One can choose to play Solo, as part of a team in Dual, or can share inventory with Double. In the case of the latter, one can very well command two ships at the same time – an interesting proposition that provides an added challenge. It’s a novelty, especially at the length of this title, but still welcome nonetheless for those looking to improve their one-credit-clear game.

There’s also the chance to upload data to World Rankings and Local Rankings, along with the analysis of Replay Data. There’s not a ton of variables at play here – don’t expect to spend hours in this mode – but those who are keen on learning more about how they ended up biting it in a particular section can utilize this mode.

Outside of that, there’s a few bells and whistles that players can toy around with. Unlockable artwork and aircraft detail are nice, but pale in comparison to the efforts found in titles like Digital Eclipse’s suite of options. One can also change the soundtracks, but the music found here is relatively inoffensive. There’s also the ability to alter the difficulty, stock, collision detection, and display, but these options often feel like they are getting too far into the weeds as opposed to focusing on the bigger picture where it truly matters. Not even an unlockable Boss Rush mode provides enough incentive to really come back.

Raiden III x MIKADO MANIAX is a decent shmup, but it doesn’t do enough to differentiate itself from the trailblazers of the genre. This edition also proves to be a bit light on modes, meaning that all but the most diehard of fans should check this one out.

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