Raptor: Call of the Shadows

aka: Mercenary 2029, Raptor: Call of the Shadows - 2010 Edition, Raptor: Call of the Shadows - 2015 Edition
Moby ID: 511
DOS Specs
Buy on Windows
$4.99 new on Steam

Description official descriptions

Raptor is a vertically-scrolling shoot 'em up. It features smooth scrolling VGA graphics, a variety of enemies on ground, air and sea, and an original soundtrack.

After completing each level you have the option of upgrading your ship with a powerful arsenal of weapons and goodies. Some weapons are effective on only ground or air targets, while some are on both. There are some really advanced weapons like the auto-track mini-gun which can effectively destroy almost any kind of targets without aiming the ship.

Dying in shoot'em ups can be annoying, especially if you have to start all over the beginning. However, in Raptor you can save your game between each level. If you have enough credit you can even buy multiple shields for further protection.

The 2010 edition of Raptor: Call of the Shadows includes improved graphics and native support for higher resolutions (640x400, 960x600 and 1280x800). Standard graphics are also available.

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Credits (DOS version)

11 People (10 developers, 1 thanks)

Programming
Music / Sound Programming
Level / Scenario Design
Graphics / Artwork
Music
Sound
Apogee Theme
Cover Illustration
Manual Design
Financing & Resources
  • Apogee Software
Special Thanks to
  • The Apogee Beta Testers

Reviews

Critics

Average score: 76% (based on 14 ratings)

Players

Average score: 3.8 out of 5 (based on 107 ratings with 11 reviews)

Par for the course in a stale genre

The Good
Fast, smooth, and polished. Mindless fun.

The Bad
The pattern-oriented vertically scrolling shooter became very stale between 1983 and 1994. Raptor doesn't add anything new or interesting to this type of game. In fact, if you go back to the genre-defining Xevious from over ten years earlier, you'll find that it is more sophisticated than Raptor in many ways.

The Bottom Line
A vertically scrolling shooter with well-done VGA graphics. If you liked Raiden, you'll like Raptor.

DOS · by James Hague (10) · 2000

This set the standards in '94.

The Good
It had a good variety of weapons available, nice sound effects and smooth graphics. A lot like Raiden Trad for Genesis, only ten times better.

The Bad
Nothing. This game has absolutely no flaws.

The Bottom Line
It's a really great third person shooter where you fly in a fighter plane and save the world from alien space ships.

DOS · by Sam Tinianow (113) · 2000

The most acclaimed PC shoot'em up ever

The Good
Finally a real shoot'em up for the PC after so much wait. Raptor is a PC only shoot'em up which is incredibly fun to play. All the tiny details here and there, ground, air and sea targets, innovative weapons, unique shield system, and finally a both life and time saving save game feature are the pros of the game.

The Bad
Well, it's nevertheless a mindless shooter. Other than that there's nothing really wrong with this game.

The Bottom Line
A classic which is still appealing in today's standards.

DOS · by IJan (1971) · 1999

[ View all 11 player reviews ]

Trivia

Origin of the game's name

The name "Raptor" came from the Cygnus guys going to see the original Jurassic Park movie with the id guys and thinking that "Raptor" made a better game name then "Mercenary" (working title).

Shareware version

In the shareware version (which contains 1/3 of the game), you can play indefinitely, if you managed to survive the final boss level. You are simply sent back to level 1, with your score intact!

Awards

  • Power Play
    • Issue 02/1995 – Best Shareware Game in 1994

Analytics

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Identifiers +

  • MobyGames ID: 511
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Contributors to this Entry

Game added by IJan.

Macintosh added by Sciere. iPhone added by LepricahnsGold.

Additional contributors: Kate Jones, Xantheous, Kasey Chang, Apogee IV, B.L. Stryker, lights out party, Tracy Poff, Patrick Bregger, Cavalary.

Game added December 2, 1999. Last modified March 21, 2024.