Raging Blasters is a vertical scroll shmup featuring high speed scrolling and the exhilaration of destruction.
The game features high-speed vertical scrolling and tight controls, emphasizing shooting and chaining kills over excessive bullet-dodging. This pays homage to classic shoot 'em ups from the PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16 era.
Players have access to two main weapon types - a focused forward shot and a wide shot. They can freely switch between these at any time. Players can also collect power-ups that provide 5 different secondary weapons, such as homing missiles, wave shots, and penetrating lasers. Mastering when to use the various weapon types is crucial.
Players can adjust their ship's speed on the fly between three settings - slow, medium, and fast. This allows them to control the pace and navigate dense enemy patterns. Changing speed also causes the ship's thrusters to briefly damage nearby enemies.
A core mechanic is the chaining system. Destroying enemies in quick succession builds up the player's chain multiplier, greatly boosting the points earned. Collecting gems dropped by destroyed enemies also contributes to the score. Maintaining a high chain is vital for high scores.
The game offers two main gameplay modes: Arcade Mode - An 8-stage campaign with three difficulty settings (Normal, Hard, Expert). The goal is to clear all stages. Caravan Mode - A 3-minute score attack mode focused on achieving the highest score possible. This emphasizes chaining and collecting gems. Both modes can be played solo or in local co-op.
Reviewers praise the game's accessibility for newcomers to the shoot 'em up genre, while still offering a solid challenge for experienced players. The Normal difficulty provides a good entry point, while Hard and Expert ramp up the challenge. The clear visual design and forgiving nature make it a great starting point for those new to the genre.