Originally released in Japanese arcades in 1998 and subsequently ported to the Sega Saturn later that year, Radiant Silvergun was the first Shmup released by Treasure, Well known for action and platform games such as Gunstar Heroes, as well as being their first arcade release. Who would have guessed they would produce a game that redefined the genre and provide such a unique experience in a time where the Shoot 'em up style was described by many as "stale". The story follows a team of fighter pilots in the far future who are battling waves of enemies summoned by a mysterious crystal dug up from the Earth. The player hosts an arsenal of six different types of shots to choose from, and a sword to destroy nearby targets. The stages are tightly designed to present players with scenarios that can be approached differently with the various weapon types.
Game Facts & Trivia
Director Hiroshi Iuchi was a big fan of Irem's Image Fight (1988), and believes that some of that inspiration is reflected in Radiant Silvergun.
In July 1998, Game Machine listed the game as being the fifth most popular arcade game in Japan at the time.[16]
The Sega Saturn port of Radiant Silvergun received critical acclaim, with some calling it one of the best shoot 'em ups ever made. Critics agreed that Treasure successfully revived and redefined the shooter genre following a period of stagnation in the wake of the advent of fighting games during the 16-bit era.
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