The three main shmups in Taito's 'Ray' series will be flying onto Switch as a part of a special digital collection titled Ray'z Arcade Chronology from 30th June.
Not to be confused with the RayStorm X RayCrisis HD Collection that was revealed back in April, this collection consists of the two HD games and the original trilogy of RayForce, RayStorm and RayCrisis for those who want to see where it all started for the classic shmup series.
Published by ININ Games, the Ray'Z Arcade Chronology was initially put up for a physical release via Strictly Limited Games with a playable stage from the series' unreleased successor to RayForce, R-Gear, also included. However, with all pre-orders for this physical release now sold out, it looks like the digital version will be the only way to experience the trilogy, notably coming without the previously-included R-Gear bonus.
Here are some more details on the titles that are included in the collection from ININ Games:
Released in 1996 and ported to several consoles, including the SEGA Saturn, PlayStation and XBOX 360, RayStorm takes place in a parallel universe to RayForce and RayCrisis, where humanity has expanded its space colonies all the way to Orion’s Belt. Unfortunately, the rebellious colony of Secilia overthrows the government and plans to obliterate the earth and all the people on it. To counter it, Earth sends out a covertly-developed fighter codenamed the R-Gray (that’s you, buddy) in hopes of penetrating the Secilian atmosphere and obliterating Secilia’s base of operations.
Set in a cyberspace environment, RayCrisis was originally released in 1998 for TAITO G-NET arcade hardware, and marked a stylistic departure from the rest of the series, featuring for the first time 3D graphics. A prequel to RayForce, it details the events during the time in which the supercomputer called Con-Human gained sentience and rebelled against its human creators. While the Earth is being demolished, a cyberspace hacker launches a desperate assault to jack into the supercomputer’s virtual core and cease its 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.
TAITO’s original Ray’Z Arcade Chronology will also come to the West with five versions of three titles. Together with RayForce, RayCrisis and their HD remasters, you get the opportunity to play the original Arcade version of RayForce, released in 1994 and responsible for revolutionizing the “two attack layer system”, undoubtedly changing the face of shoot ’em ups.
The Ray'Z Arcade Chronology collection will be available to download from the Switch eShop on 30th June for £43.99 / €49.99.
Will you be shooting through the trilogy later this month? Let us know in the comments.
Comments 12
This looks fun! I'm not familiar with these games other than by name so as long as they don't dissolve into bullet-hell, I'll probably bite. I've recently been wanting to get more into shmups but I'm extremely particular about and critical of them as I find them brutally difficult, especially ones where you can't make contact with the top and bottoms of levels. I have a hard time getting past level 2 even in R-Type. Maybe the word I'm looking for is "incompetent." I am an incompetent shmump player. Gotta keep trying and hope I get better!
Come on Taito (or Square Enix).
Lufia please.
@ChromaticDracula These aren't bullet hell so they likely will be to your taste that way. My only issue is that the second and third games are all 3D, though they play in 2D and I find that visually more confusing than most 2D shmups. The first one of these seemed pretty good from what I played. When I first got into the genre, I was terrible. I did have fun at least, so I kept playing. After a little bit of time, certain parts and bosses that seemed impossible got much easier once my mind adapted. So if you're enjoying what you're playing, keep at it. Also, it's not a bad idea to find some shmups that are considered easier and have difficulty settings and other options to help you build up your skills. Some games require more memorization that others, and R-Type seems to be one of those. My favorites tend to be ones that don't require a ton of memorization, though I'm find with some of that. Good luck to you.
Fun fact to get that collection from Strictly Limited I was “late” clocking into work to guarantee that copy.
"Revolutionizing the Two Layer Attack System"
Xevious : "Am I a joke to you?"
Funnily enough, it's being released on the same day as Raystorm X Raycrisis HD, which seems to be barebones and lack M2's extra polish.
Switch continues to "cook" in the shmup genre.
In the latest Shmups Forum annual poll, RayForce / Layer Section was voted the #23 best shmup of all-time.
It is included in the Ray’z Arcade Chronology collection.
It is not included in the other RayStorm X RayCrisis HD Collection
After splashing out on the recent Darius collections and being annoyed by the price cuts, I think I'll hold fire on this and get it when it's drastically reduced.
Is this series the next Monster/Wonder Boy with confusingly overlapping compilations? Oh wait, that was Turrican.
@sdelfin I recently gave Gleylancer a try and it’s by far my favorite shmup I’ve tried so far. It just has a different feel to it and I love how you can change your speed and how the auxiliary weapons behave. Having a blast with it!
@ChromaticDracula That's good to hear. It demonstrates what I said about how there are many styles of shmup, so if you're trying to get into the genre, it's important to try things out and find what works for you. GleyLancer is a very good one on a system with a lot of great shooters. I also liked having speed control and the variety in how you can use the pods. And its overall presentation is strong.
On the Genesis/Mega Drive, MUSHA is another one with speed control, an interesting weapon system, and auxiliary pods that can be set to behave in different ways. Thunder Force 4 also has speed control and selectable weapons. Both are considered among the best on the system in terms of gameplay and presentation and I believe both are available on Switch and several other ways.
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