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RayStorm is the sequel to RayForce, Taito's 1995 arcade game that made it to the Saturn early last year as Galactic Attack (Layer Section in Japan). Unlike RayForce, which was a 100 percent 2-D vertically scrolling shooter, RayStorm consists of completely polygonal characters and backgrounds. This provides a much more lifelike feel to the action. Despite its 3-D environment, however, RayStorm is still, at its heart, a traditional 2-D-style shooter. The PlayStation version of RayStorm also includes an added bonus - in addition to the complete original arcade version of the game, a special "Extra Edition" comes on the CD, offering enhanced visual effects, more enemies, an arranged soundtrack, and more.
As in the original, your ship has two main methods of attack: the main blaster (which, depending the ship you choose, lets out either a stream of constant laser fire or multiple rapid-fire blasts), and lock-on homing lasers that seek out and destroy enemies stationed away from your ship. Since many enemies attack from below your ship's line of sight, the only way to destroy them is to take them out from above with your homing lasers. This type of strategic planning isn't found very often in shooters because developers tend to value visual splendor over actual gameplay.. Fortunately for RayStorm, that's not the case here.
Graphically, RayStorm really delivers. Intense lighting effects and marvelous explosions fill the screen. As with most polygon-heavy games, there's a bit of slowdown when things heat up, but it never gets out of hand. As for the music, the game's two soundtracks are done well. Even so, some tracks lack the urgency and intensity you'd expect from a fast-paced shooter. Taito fans should easily recognize the music though, since it's once again done by the now-famous label (in Japan, anyway), Zuntata.
Overall, there's not much to complain about in RayStorm. But the game does contain a couple of things fans of the original may not like. First of all, even with variable difficulty settings, the game is nowhere near as difficult as its predecessor. Additionally, the main weapon doesn't seem to be as much of a necessity as it was in the original. Moreover, it doesn't change much visually when fully powered-up (a minor complaint, but it's still a little disappointing).
All in all however, RayStorm is easily the best shooter currently available on the PlayStation (we're reserving judgment on Xevious 3D until we see the home version). No shooting-game fan should be without it. We know that several companies are interested in porting the game, so it's safe to say that if you can't afford to import, the US version shouldn't be too far behind. --John Ricciardi
--Copyright ©1999 GameSpot Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of GameSpot is prohibited. GameSpot and the GameSpot logo are trademarks of GameSpot Inc.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Worthy sequel of Galatic Attack,
By
This review is from: Ray Storm (Video Game)
Ray Storm, sequel to one of my favorite shooter of all time, Galatic Attack (also known as Layer Section in Japan), is definitely one shooter to play. This game doesn't hold much of innovations like Radiant Silvergun, but it's a very solid typical-vertical shooters like Shienryu, which I consider one of the best shooters, only after Radiant Silvergun.The first game, Layer Section, had very good graphic by its time standard(beautifully drawn) and Ray Storm changed from 2D graphic to 2.5ish graphic. The result? Personally I would prefer beautifully drawn Layer Section over Ray Storm, but it doesn't hurt its solid game play in any sense, yet it adds to its 'out there in space' atmosphere. The music you ask? It's done by famous ZUNTATA, who's work involve Darius Series. It doesn't play just typical shooter game music which repeats itself over and over again, but if you look closely, not only zuntata managed to integrate the 'feel' of the level, but it definitely raises the game to whole new level. Ray Storm's music was impressive enough, but if you really want to be impressed, play Layer Section or Galatic Attack (and take a look at each level's title) I prefer the very first installment, Layer Section, as the best out of all three, (Ray Crisis, which came after Ray Storm with not much of change) Ray Storm itself holds a very solid second place with solid game play, matching graphic to the atmosphere, and awesome music. When this genre is dying one these days, it's a must pick up for shooter fans. I would even like to recommend this gem over Dreamcast games like Giga Wings(which personally don't like that much) if you are looking for a SOLID, typical vertical shooter. DON'T MISS IT! ps: The ending for the Galatic Attack was really something else, not like a typical shooter where you save the earth victoriously. The ending for Ray Storm does something even more, with the story that scrolls up, stating that the mission has been accomplished. When its story scrolls up, the music, yes, the music doesn't play out 'we-won-victoriously' feel, but rather sad, being witness of collapsing of another civilization, though they were enemies. Seriously, music really adds this 'thematic' feel to the game.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Old School Gaming,
By Mike P "Mike P" (Houston, TX) - See all my reviews
= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Ray Storm (Video Game)
This is a great game. It is hard so for you hardcore gamers this will still provide the challenge you need. The graphics and sound are what you should expect from a PS1 title. Hope you all enjoy it wish it was longer tho..
3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Blow things up in two and a half dimensions,
By "numskull" (Holyoke, MA USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Ray Storm (Video Game)
Be forewarned: this game is old, and it shows. Only a fool would take that fact to mean that it's no good, but people looking for a "showcase" title with jaw-dropping visuals are advised to look elsewhere.Ray Storm may look like a garden variety, vertical scrolling 2-D shooter, but it doesn't play like one. You've got your standard blaster with unlimited ammo and you've got your gauge-draining special attack that sends blazing beams of destruction every which way, but the crux of the gameplay is the lock-on system with which you can shoot down your foes from anywhere on-screen and, in many cases, before they have a chance to endanger you. Here's how it works: a target icon lies at a fixed point in front of your ship at all times. Maneuver yourself so that the icon overlaps a target. That target is now "locked on." The number of targets you can lock onto at a time depends on which ship you choose (there are two) and how many power-ups you collect. With the push of a button, you let fly homing missiles or lasers which zero in on your victims and pulverize them. Mind you, some foes can sustain more lock-on attacks than others. Bosses require you to take out multiple sections before they're ready to quit. This system is undoubtedly what makes Ray Storm unique, but at the same time, it's also its bigget curse. The extent to which you must use your lock-on attacks really is a bit excessive. The majority of your enemies cannot be touched with the nearly-worthless standard blaster; you must either hammer them with lock-ons or let them pass you by, while pouting "Why can't I just SHOOT them?!?" in frustration. Also, there are occasions where you'll automatically target enemies that pose no menace to you when there are much more immediate threats to concern yourself with. This is especially problematic in stage four, which has you mounting an assault on an enemy armada. Though pandemonium reigns right in front of you, battleships harmlessly sitting far off in the background are still eligible for lock-on, even while you're fighting the boss. This is an issue because of the limited number of homing projectiles you're able to launch at one time. Mercifully, the lock-on system isn't too difficult to get used to, and you'll probably forgive its shortcomings before very long. Ray Storm's graphics are unimpressive by today's standards, but remember, this game is from 1996. Same goes for the music and sound effects; bland, but not abrasive. The game is a little on the short side, but the challenge is there, and you don't have a limitless supply of continues, unlike some more modern shooters we could name. Working Designs has included a "tweaked" version of the game in addition to the direct port to add some replay value. Ray Storm is definitely not without its flaws, but those are generally outweighed by its merits. It's worth playing, and you should also look into its (sort of) sequel, Ray Crisis (also on PlayStation).
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