ININ Games has brought two of Taito’s most beloved games, RayStorm and RayCrisis, to HD. These games are related to Taito’s 1994 shmup game, RayForce. With ININ Games’ new collection, you can now enjoy both games in one package. For those unaware,  “shoot ’em up” or “shmup” for short are games that are fast-paced, vertically scrolling shooters set in futuristic sci-fi universes. Now that both iconic games have got an HD edition, let’s check out the in-depth review of RayStorm X RayCrisis HD below!

RayStorm is set in an alternate universe, while RayCrisis serves as a prequel to the series. Both games feature 3D polygonal graphics and were remastered by the skilled team at M2 for the HD collection. This collection is a must-have for fans of the Shmup genre.

RayStorm

RayStorm takes place in a parallel universe where Earth has thrived, expanding space colonies into Orion. Unfortunately, the rebellious colony of Secilia overthrows the government of the Earth-based Star Federation and plans to obliterate the Earth and all the people on it. To counter it, Earth deploys the R-Gray fighter to restore the atmosphere

RayCrisis

RayCrisis is set in a cyberspace environment and marked a style departure from the rest of the series. As a prequel to RayForce, it details the events during the time in which the supercomputer gained sentience and rebelled against its human creator. As the Earth faces demolition for Con-Human’s transformation, a cyberspace hacker launches a desperate assault to stop the supercomputer’s insanity

It is up to you and the Waveriders to keep the malicious AI from causing any more chaos – even if it could be too late, the least you can do is ensure that no more lives are lost in the real world by ending it in the digital realm. The game features more varied stages that will allow you to jump through cityscapes, stormy skies, desert fields, giant water tunnels, and more. It also includes an Encroachment System.

Spicing things up in the new game

Each game in the collection offers unique gameplay elements that keep you engaged. You have a main cannon that can destroy everything on your current plane, as well as lock-on lasers that can target enemies from afar. There’s also a screen-clearing attack, but its use is limited per stage. With these different attacks at your disposal, you can enjoy dynamic and exciting battles.

Personally, I find RayCrisis to be the most enjoyable game in the collection. It has a more refined feel compared to the first two games and features some of the most inventive boss battles. However, the visuals can be overwhelming at times.

RayForce and RayStorm are also excellent games in their own right. You can experiment with the replay system to see how you rank on the online leaderboards and earn achievements. The gameplay is smooth and responsive, with M2 ensuring that the controls remain faithful to the original games. The inclusion of multiple difficulty levels adds even more depth to the experience. The limitations present in the PS1 versions of these games have been removed, allowing for a more enjoyable experience.

Next-Level Visuals

The RayStorm X RayCrisis HD Collection has impressive visuals. That’s the main part of this game. The developers have done a lot of work to meet the latest standards. You get to play the game in high-definition or with classic graphics. The art styles and explosive action are awesome!

The collection also includes the original soundtracks for each game. RayStorm stands out with its catchy tunes that get you pumped up to take on enemy forces. RayForce is equally impressive, while RayCrisis has its own memorable moments.

One feature that would have been a nice addition is a virtual history option. It could provide background information on each game and details the development of the collection. A rewind option would also have been useful in certain situations. Despite these minor omissions, the collection remains solid.

While the RayStorm X RayCrisis HD Collection may lack some features that would have made it truly essential, it’s still an excellent game – particularly for fans of retro gaming. It’s worth playing in 2023 for those who want to revisit these classic games.

The collection costs $40, which may seem steep at first glance. However, it is also notable that is not just a single game but a collection. Fans of Shmup games are getting a great deal here, especially considering how difficult it is to find physical copies of these games nowadays. While the collection is available on Nintendo Switch and PS4.