Moss deliver a solid Raiden IV with crisp shot chains and a classic scoring system. The patterns are clean, the military aesthetic stays evocative, and the 360 version offers an upright vertical shooter for fans of strict old-school sharpshooting.
Your verdict
Category
Shooter1 player12+
Description
Vertical shoot-em-up by Moss and Seibu Kaihatsu, North America October 2008. The Raiden ship battles enemy tank and aircraft armies in vertical shooting levels with guided missiles and lasers. Classic Raiden scoring medal system and firepower. Fourth Raiden franchise entry on Xbox 360.
Raiden IV review
3/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Polished"
4/5
Music
★★★★★
"Excellent"
2/5
Story
★★★★★
"Classic"
Gameplay
"Excellent"
Fun
"From the very first minutes"
Addictiveness
"Engaging"
Difficulty
"Difficult"
Lifespan
"Very short"
Guided missiles and lasers in profusion, this Seibu Kaihatsu Raiden IV pounds armies of tanks and aircraft across demanding vertical levels. Its brevity is the cabinet's, where the medal system and firepower feed the scoring. The short length extends into the hunt for the maximal multiplier and mastering the waves, more than into length.
A MOSS vertical shoot'em up extending the venerable Raiden series with its serpentine laser and sprays of projectiles, in the grand arcade-hall tradition. Made in measured volume, its appeal lies in this status as a genre classic and a specialist audience rather than widespread scarcity. A piece valued by fans of demanding vertical shoot'em ups.
Is Raiden IV still worth playing in 2026?
Released in 2009 on Xbox 360, MOSS' Raiden IV extends the legendary vertical shoot them up series with its emblematic undulating purple laser, now a genre signature. The controlled density of projectiles, the demanding scoring system and the readability of the action reward precision and memorisation. The military art direction and the energetic soundtrack stay faithful to the saga's spirit. The content stays focused on the essentials and the genre demands practice. But the satisfaction of a well placed shot remains intact. For devotees of classic vertical shmups and score chasing, this title keeps a definite interest today.
