The typical article for Co-Op Classics has a very predictable format. I dig up some old game I played way back when, do a little research, maybe play it a bit via emulation, and then I write about what made it unique compared to other games of the time. Sometimes, I'll include personal memories to spice things up a bit. But for the subject of today's column, Radiant Silvergun, I can't do any of these things, unfortunately.
The fact is, I never had the chance to play Treasure's legendary shooter. Briefly released in Japanese arcades, the shooter was enhanced with additional modes, voice acting, and cut scenes, and then ported over to Sega's Saturn console. However, the game never made the jump across the pond to the United States. Even if it had, I never owned a Saturn. And if I did, the game was so rare and highly sought after that it cost upwards of $200 to obtain a copy.
So what is it about Radiant Silvergun that would make gamers lay out the big bucks just to play it? Why does it have such a following, a golden reputation, if you will? Is it really that different from other shooters? Since I haven't played it, I can't answer with any certainty, but the Official Co-Op Classics Magic 8 Ball says "signs point to yes".
For one thing, you have to consider the pedigree. Treasure, the developers, have a hit list that most publishers would wade through a real bullet hell for. Gunstar Heroes, Sin and Punishment, and Guardian Heroes, among others, are quality, critically acclaimed games. The so-called "spiritual successor" to Radiant Silvergun, Ikaruga, is amazing, easily one of my favorite Xbox Live Arcade releases. If Radiant Silvergun is as good as Ikaruga (and many folks think the earlier game is the better of the two), that's a good indicator that the reputation it has is well deserved.
When was the last time you played a shmup with a strong narrative? Never, maybe? Radiant Silvergun has an intricate storyline that unfolds in a non-linear fashion. It involves flashbacks and time travel, spanning thousands of years of history. The last stage is called "The Origin", further evidencing the unusual nature of the story. I don't think we're talking about a tale on the order of Memento, or even an episode of Lost, but still, any story beyond "aliens invade, kill everything that moves" is definitely unusual for the genre.
But what about the gameplay? In this area, too, Radiant Silvergun stands head and shoulders above its peers. Many shooter conventions are turned on their ear. There are no weapon power ups; instead, you have access to all seven weapons at the beginning of the game. Three seperate buttons, plus combinations, summon weapoons ranging from homing lasers, rear-firing shots, and even a huge plasma sword. A chain system, similar to that of Ikaruga, can be used to obtain what amounts to experience, which buffs up your ship's effectiveness in battle. You'll likely need all the help you can get to navigate the dizzying array of bullets and defeat the grueling bosses.
Truth be told, perhaps the most compelling feature of Radiant Silvergun is simply the fact that it is unobtainable at the moment. Often in life, you really want the things that you can't have, especially those that are just barely out of reach. Perhaps this explains, at least to some degree, why Radiant Silvergun has an almost mythic quality to it. When the game is released soon on XBLA, I will grab it on day one. It may not be the single greatest gaming experience I've ever had, but I'm certain it will rank highly in the list of Co-Op Classics.