View source for Radiant Silvergun

== Reception ==
{{Video game reviews
|title = Reception (Sega Saturn)
<!-- GameRankings is purposely excluded because it is pulling only four scores from mostly unreliable sources-->
| Edge = 8/10<ref name=edge/> 
| CVG = 5/5<ref name=cvg/>
| GSpot = 9/10<ref name=gspot_rev/>
| rev1       = ''Arcade''
| rev1Score  = 5/5<ref name=arcade/>
| rev2       = [[Sega Saturn Magazine|''Sega Saturn Magazine'' (UK)]]
| rev2Score  = 95%<ref name=ssmuk/>
| rev3       = ''Sega Saturn Magazine'' (JP)
| rev3Score  = 8.0/10{{efn|Score is an average of three scores from individual reviewers: 7, 8, and 9.}}<ref name=ssmjp/>
}}

In July 1998, ''Game Machine'' listed the game as being the fifth most popular arcade game in Japan at the time.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - TVゲーム機ーソフトウェア (Video Game Software)|magazine=[[:ja:ゲームマシン|Game Machine]]|issue=567|publisher=[[:ja:アミューズメント通信社|Amusement Press, Inc.]]|date=1 July 1998|page=21|lang=ja}}</ref>

The Sega Saturn port of ''Radiant Silvergun'' received critical acclaim, with some calling it one of the best shoot 'em ups ever made.<ref name="ssmuk">{{cite magazine|last1=Cutlack|first1=Gary|date=September 1998|title=Radiant Silvergun|url=https://archive.org/stream/Official_Sega_Saturn_Magazine_035/Official_Sega_Saturn_Magazine_035_-_september_1998_UK#page/n59/mode/2up|magazine=Sega Saturn Magazine (UK)|issue=35|pages=60–69}}</ref><ref name="gspot_rev">{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/radiant-silvergun-import-review/1900-2534056/|title=Radiant Silvergun (Import) Review|last1=Mielke|first1=James|date=8 September 1998|website=GameSpot|access-date=17 March 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603114516/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/radiant-silvergun-import-review/1900-2534056/|archive-date=3 June 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="arcade">{{cite magazine|last1=Alway|first1=Robin|date=December 1998|title=Radiant Silvergun|url=https://retrocdn.net/images/0/0e/Arcade_UK_01.pdf|magazine=Arcade|issue=1|page=148|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180326003914/https://retrocdn.net/images/0/0e/Arcade_UK_01.pdf|archive-date=26 March 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Critics agreed that Treasure successfully revived and redefined the shooter genre following a period of stagnation in the wake of the advent of [[fighting game]]s during the [[Fourth generation of video game consoles|16-bit era]].<ref name="ssmuk" /><ref name="cvg">{{cite magazine|last1=Davies|first1=Paul|date=September 1998|title=Radiant Silvergun|url=https://retrocdn.net/images/a/ab/CVG_UK_202.pdf|magazine=Computer and Video Games|issue=202|page=72|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180326003914/https://retrocdn.net/images/a/ab/CVG_UK_202.pdf|archive-date=26 March 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="gspot_rev" /><ref name="arcade" />

Several journalists commented on the game's visuals. ''[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]'' wrote the game was "arguably the finest technical showcase the Saturn has ever played host to." They praised the [[Parallax scrolling|parallax]] backdrops, [[Mode 7]] style distortion effects, and use of [[Polygon mesh|3D polygons]] to create imaginative bosses. They felt the game was a successful attempt to push the Sega Saturn's graphical capabilities to its limits, calling it "a wonder to behold."<ref name="edge">{{cite magazine|date=October 1998|title=Radiant Silvergun|url=https://retrocdn.net/images/4/48/Edge_UK_063.pdf|magazine=Edge (UK)|issue=63|page=95|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180326003914/https://retrocdn.net/images/4/48/Edge_UK_063.pdf|archive-date=26 March 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref> ''[[Sega Saturn Magazine]]'' also thought the game had some of the most impressive Sega Saturn graphics, and highlighted the great mix of 2D and 3D graphics.<ref name="ssmuk" /> ''[[Computer and Video Games]]'' thought the game outclassed graphics capable on the [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]] or [[Nintendo 64]].<ref name="cvg" /> ''Arcade'' called it a "gorgeous" and "sense-pummeling" shooter with spectacular explosions and visual effects.<ref name="arcade" />

Critics also praised ''Radiant Silvergun''<nowiki/>'s gameplay, and most commonly highlighted its replayability thanks to the depth of its scoring system and hidden bonuses.<ref name="ssmuk" /><ref name="edge" /><ref name="gspot_rev" /><ref name="arcade" /> ''Arcade'' called it "the kind of repeat play magnetism that makes you wonder why 2D shoot 'em ups fell from grace in the first place."<ref name="arcade" /> ''Sega Saturn Magazine'' argued that there are [[Role-playing video game|role-playing games]] with less depth than ''Radiant Silvergun''.<ref name="ssmuk" /> ''Edge'' claimed that Treasure's commitment to "old school" gaming principles paid off, and praised the game's hardcore appeal.<ref name="edge" /> Both ''Edge'' and ''Sega Saturn Magazine'' shared positive thoughts on the game's weapon systems, and also agreed that it was satisfyingly difficult, although ''Edge'' complained that sometimes it sacrificed fairness for visual flair.<ref name="ssmuk" /><ref name="edge" /> ''[[GameSpot]]'' concluded their thoughts saying: "This game is an absolute must-buy. Never has a shooter combined relentless, thoughtfully-designed action with such stunning graphics and sound...''Radiant Silvergun'' makes you feel as if you've never really played a shooter before. It's a whole new experience."<ref name="gspot_rev" />