{{Short description|2014 video game}} {{Infobox video game |title = Razion |image = Razion cover art.jpg |developer = NG:Dev.Team |publisher = NG:Dev.Team |designer = Timm Hellwig |artist = René Hellwig |composer = Andre Neumann |platforms = Neo Geo, Nintendo Switch |released = '''Neo Geo MVS'''{{vgrelease|WW|December 1, 2014}} '''Neo Geo AES'''{{vgrelease|WW|July 2015}} '''Nintendo Switch'''{{vgrelease|WW|June 17, 2021}} |genre = Horizontally scrolling shooter |modes = Single-player |arcade system = Neo Geo MVS }}
'''''Razion''''' is a 2014 horizontally scrolling shooter video game developed and published by German indie team NG:Dev.Team for the Neo Geo. It is the fourth shoot 'em up title from NG:Dev.Team and their sixth game overall. Controlling a space fighter craft, the player must fight endless waves of enemies while avoiding collision with their projectiles and other obstacles.
First announced in mid-2014 for the Neo Geo, ''Razion'' bears resemblance to ''Fast Striker'' (2010), another shoot 'em up designed by NG:Dev.Team, due to its bullet hell-style approach. The music was composed by Andre Neumann, who previously scored music for ''DUX''. Neumann was interested to score music for the game once he finished his work on ''Redux: Dark Matters'', after René Hellwig told him that his brother Timm was looking for a musician who could make a psytrance soundtrack. A port for the Nintendo Switch under the title ''Razion EX'' was released in 2021, featuring several design changes compared to the original Neo Geo version.
== Gameplay == thumb|left|Neo Geo version screenshot. ''Razion'' is a science fiction-themed horizontally scrolling shoot 'em up game in which the player take control of a space fighter craft through six increasingly difficult stages in order to defeat an assortment of enemy forces and bosses.<ref name="Siliconera"/><ref name="VXr">{{cite web|last=Bouzo|first=Oscar|url=https://www.vidaextra.com/accion/un-vistazo-a-razion-el-nuevo-shmup-de-neo-geo-que-cuesta-tan-solo-400-euros|title=Un vistazo a Razion, el nuevo shmup de Neo Geo que cuesta tan solo 400 euros|work=Vida Extra|publisher=Webedia|date=June 3, 2014|access-date=2021-05-05|language=es|archive-date=2015-08-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150810025939/https://www.vidaextra.com/accion/un-vistazo-a-razion-el-nuevo-shmup-de-neo-geo-que-cuesta-tan-solo-400-euros|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="RMVSmanual">''Razion'' user's manual MVS LE (Neo Geo MVS, WW)</ref> At the start, there are three difficulty modes to choose from: Novice, Original and Maniac.<ref name="Siliconera"/><ref name="VXr"/><ref name="RMVSmanual"/><ref name="RetroManiac"/> The player has only two weapons at their disposal: the main gun that travels a max distance of the screen's height and a powerful beam capable of dealing high-damage to any enemy caught within its blast radius.<ref name="RMVSmanual"/>
The player can slowdown the ship's movement to avoid incoming bullets more precisely by pressing the A button in the Neo Geo version, which also produces a focused horizontal autofire shot.<ref name="RMVSmanual"/> Tapping the A button enables the ship to fire bursts shots as well.<ref name="RMVSmanual"/> The scoring system revolves around collecting gold cubes from destroyed enemies to charge up the beam.<ref name="Siliconera"/> By shooting a charged up beam, gold cubes are turned green and grants higher score bonuses when picked up in this state.<ref name="RMVSmanual"/> Getting hit by enemy fire will result in losing a life and once all lives are lost, the game is over unless the player inserts more credits into the arcade machine to continue playing.
== Development and release == ''Razion'' was first announced by NG:Dev.Team in mid-2014 for the Neo Geo and slated for an Autumn 2014 launch.<ref name="VXr"/><ref name="RetroManiac">{{cite web|url=http://www.retromaniac.es/2014/06/ngdevteam-presenta-por-sorpresa-razion.html|title=NG:DEV.TEAM presenta por sorpresa RAZION, su próximo shooter para NeoGeo|work=RetroManiac|date=June 4, 2014|access-date=2021-05-06|language=es|archive-date=2021-05-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506015325/http://www.retromaniac.es/2014/06/ngdevteam-presenta-por-sorpresa-razion.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="HCG">{{cite web|last=Hannley|first=Steve|url=https://hardcoregamer.com/2014/06/04/ngdev-team-announces-new-neo-geo-mvs-game-razion/87441/|title=NG:DEV.TEAM Announces New Neo Geo MVS Game, Razion|work=Hardcore Gamer|publisher=Hardcore Gamer LLC|date=June 4, 2014|access-date=2021-05-05|archive-date=2017-06-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170625065205/https://hardcoregamer.com/2014/06/04/ngdev-team-announces-new-neo-geo-mvs-game-razion/87441/|url-status=live}}</ref> NG:Dev.Team was responsible for the game's design, which bears resemblance to ''Fast Striker'' (2010) due to its bullet hell-style approach in contrast to ''Last Hope'' (2006) and ''DUX'' (2009), though the graphics were outsourced.<ref name="DCS">{{cite web|author=Cube_b3|url=http://www.dreamcast-scene.com/news/ngdev-team-shares-razion-trailer-2/|title=News » NG:Dev.Team shares Razion Trailer 2|publisher=Dreamcast Scene|date=September 4, 2014|access-date=2021-05-05|archive-date=2014-09-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140914014926/http://www.dreamcast-scene.com/news/ngdev-team-shares-razion-trailer-2/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="RGM">{{cite web|last=Williams|first=Carl|url=http://retrogamingmagazine.com/2014/09/14/new-game-razion-coming-to-neo-geo-possibly-dreamcast-also/|title=New Game- Razion Coming to Neo Geo, Possibly Dreamcast Also|website=retrogamingmagazine.com|publisher=Retro Gaming Magazine|date=September 14, 2014|access-date=2021-05-05|archive-date=2020-11-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112021316/http://retrogamingmagazine.com/2014/09/14/new-game-razion-coming-to-neo-geo-possibly-dreamcast-also/|url-status=live}}</ref> Timm Hellwig served as both programmer and designer, while René Hellwig acted as art director and graphist.<ref name="RStaffroll">{{cite video game|title=Razion|developer=NG:Dev.Team|publisher=NG:Dev.Team|date=2014|platform=Neo Geo|level=Staff roll}}</ref> The soundtrack was composed by Andre Neumann, who previously scored music for ''DUX''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Greening|first=Chris|url=http://www.vgmonline.net/andre-neumann-scores-indie-shooter-razion/|title=Andre Neumann scores indie shooter Razion|publisher=Video Game Music Online|date=June 4, 2014|access-date=2021-07-25|archive-date=2020-04-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200428070618/http://www.vgmonline.net/andre-neumann-scores-indie-shooter-razion/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Bandcamp">{{cite web|last=Neumann|first=Andre|url=https://andreneumann.bandcamp.com/album/razion-original-soundtrack|title=Razion Original Soundtrack|work=N-Trax|publisher=Bandcamp|date=September 12, 2015|access-date=2021-05-05|archive-date=2016-10-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161016153246/https://andreneumann.bandcamp.com/album/razion-original-soundtrack|url-status=live}}</ref> According to Neumann, René told him that his brother Timm was looking for a composer who could make a psytrance soundtrack when working on the project, and he was interested to score the music after finishing his work on ''Redux: Dark Matters''.<ref name="Bandcamp"/> Neumann stated that he used FL Studio, a Korg M50 and the Virus TI2 analog synthesizer when producing music for the game by observing its visuals.<ref name="Bandcamp"/>
''Razion'' was released for the Neo Geo MVS on December 1, 2014, as two editions; a collector's edition limited to 100 units and a limited edition of 50 copies.<ref name="Siliconera">{{cite web|last=Priestman|first=Chris|url=https://www.siliconera.com/neo-geo-hyper-shooter-razion-starts-limited-edition-pre-orders-october/|title=Neo Geo Hyper Shooter Razion Starts Limited Edition Pre-Orders In October|work=Siliconera|publisher=Curse LLC|date=September 7, 2014|access-date=2021-05-05|archive-date=2020-09-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924145748/https://www.siliconera.com/neo-geo-hyper-shooter-razion-starts-limited-edition-pre-orders-october/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="HCG"/><ref name="MO5">{{cite web|last=Verdin|first=Guillaume|url=https://mag.mo5.com/actu/56946/razion-en-precommande-neo%C2%B7geo-aes/|title=RAZION en précommande sur Neo·Geo AES|work={{ill|MO5.com|lt=MO5.com|fr|MO5.com}}|publisher=Association MO5.COM|date=September 3, 2014|access-date=2021-05-05|language=fr|archive-date=2016-10-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005221315/https://mag.mo5.com/actu/56946/razion-en-precommande-neo%C2%B7geo-aes/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ngdevteam.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=109%3Arazion-mvs-starts-shipping-next-week&catid=1%3Alatest-news&Itemid=54|title=RAZION MVS starts shipping next week|publisher=NG:Dev.Team|date=November 25, 2014|access-date=2021-07-25|archive-date=2016-08-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160814125610/http://ngdevteam.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=109%3Arazion-mvs-starts-shipping-next-week&catid=1%3Alatest-news&Itemid=54|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=http://www.ngdevteam.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=section&layout=blog&id=5&Itemid=29|title=Games|publisher=NG:Dev.Team|date=July 2015|access-date=2021-07-25|archive-date=2021-08-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210801161419/http://www.ngdevteam.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=section&layout=blog&id=5&Itemid=29|url-status=live}}</ref> At 1560 megabits of data, it is one of the largest games developed for the Neo Geo platform.<ref name="RetroManiac"/><ref name="HCG"/> The MVS release supports software updates via a USB port.<ref name="RetroManiac"/><ref name="HCG"/><ref name="MO5"/> In July 2015, a Neo Geo AES version was also released by NG:Dev.Team.<ref name=":0"/> Around the same time period, a music album was released by NG:Dev.Team and a digital album was distributed by Neumann through Bandcamp on September 12 the same year.<ref name="Bandcamp"/><ref>{{cite web|last=Kotowski|first=Don|url=http://www.vgmonline.net/razion/|title=Razion Original Soundtrack|publisher=Video Game Music Online|date=March 3, 2015|access-date=2021-07-25|archive-date=2021-02-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224234642/http://www.vgmonline.net/razion/|url-status=live}}</ref> A version for the Nintendo Switch titled ''Razion EX'' was released on June 17, 2021, while a digital release via Nintendo eShop launched on September 16 in North America and Europe.<ref name=":0"/><ref name="NLife1">{{cite web|last=McFerran|first=Damien|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/04/this_insanely_expensive_neo_geo_shmup_is_coming_to_switch_in_physical_form|title=This Insanely Expensive Neo Geo Shmup Is Coming To Switch In Physical Form - Raze hell for Razion EX|work=Nintendo Life|publisher=Nlife Media|date=April 28, 2021|access-date=2021-05-05|archive-date=2021-04-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430044502/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/04/this_insanely_expensive_neo_geo_shmup_is_coming_to_switch_in_physical_form|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="NLife2">{{cite web|last=Doolan|first=Liam|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/05/razion_ex_launches_on_nintendo_switch_this_month_heres_your_first_look|title=Razion EX Launches On Nintendo Switch This Month, Here's Your First Look|work=Nintendo Life|publisher=Nlife Media|date=May 5, 2021|access-date=2021-05-06|archive-date=2021-05-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506045022/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/05/razion_ex_launches_on_nintendo_switch_this_month_heres_your_first_look|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="NE">{{cite web|last=Richards|first=Brian|url=https://nintendoeverything.com/razion-ex-switch-release-date-trailer/|title=Razion EX launches on Switch next week, new trailer shared|work=Nintendo Everything|date=September 9, 2021|access-date=2021-09-10}}</ref> The Switch version features several changes compared to the original Neo Geo releases such as reworked gameplay, redesigned stages and improved visuals, among other features.<ref name="NLife2"/> Like the Neo Geo versions, the Switch version is available in both standard and limited editions, with the latter having 1500 copies manufactured and a second batch of 700 physical copies for the Switch version was produced by NGDEV.<ref name=":1">{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespress.com/Razion-EX-gets-a-physical-release---coming-in-May-15-th-2021|title=Razion EX gets a physical release - coming in May 15th 2021|publisher=Games Press|date=May 10, 2021|access-date=2021-08-01|archive-date=2021-05-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511232419/https://www.gamespress.com/Razion-EX-gets-a-physical-release---coming-in-May-15-th-2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="MO5a">{{cite web|last=Verdin|first=Guillaume|url=https://mag.mo5.com/actu/198883/razion-ex-un-shoot-em-up-neogeo-ce-soir-sur-switch/|title=RAZION EX, un shoot 'em up Neo·Geo ce soir sur Switch|work={{ill|MO5.com|lt=MO5.com|fr|MO5.com}}|publisher=Association MO5.COM|date=May 15, 2021|access-date=2021-05-05|language=fr|archive-date=2021-05-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516170739/https://mag.mo5.com/actu/198883/razion-ex-un-shoot-em-up-neogeo-ce-soir-sur-switch/|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Reception == {{Video game reviews |TA = (NS) 4/5<ref name="TANSrex">{{cite web|last=Musgrave|first=Shaun|url=https://toucharcade.com/2021/09/20/switcharcade-round-up-reviews-featuring-razion-ex-and-boulder-dash-deluxe-plus-the-latest-releases-and-sales/|title=SwitchArcade Round-Up: Reviews Featuring 'Razion EX' and 'Boulder Dash Deluxe', Plus the Latest Releases and Sales|work=TouchArcade|date=September 20, 2021|access-date=2021-09-25|archive-date=2021-09-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924030550/https://toucharcade.com/2021/09/20/switcharcade-round-up-reviews-featuring-razion-ex-and-boulder-dash-deluxe-plus-the-latest-releases-and-sales/|url-status=live}}</ref> }}
Prior to launch, ''Razion'' was compared by gaming outlets such as ''RetroManiac'' and ''Retro Gamer'' with both ''Pulstar'', ''Blazing Star'' and ''DUX'' due to its pre-rendered graphical style and bright color palette.<ref name="RetroManiac"/><ref name="DCS"/><ref name="RGM"/><ref name="RG">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.retrogamer.net/blog_post/razion-announced-for-dreamcast-and-neo-geo/|title=Razion announced for Neo Geo|magazine=Retro Gamer|publisher=Imagine Publishing|date=June 4, 2014|access-date=2021-05-05|archive-date=2020-11-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130053355/https://www.retrogamer.net/blog_post/razion-announced-for-dreamcast-and-neo-geo/|url-status=live}}</ref> Reviewing ''Razion EX'', ''TouchArcade''{{'}}s Shaun Musgrave regarded it as a "high-quality shoot-em-up" on Nintendo Switch in vein of ''Blazing Star'', commending the balanced difficulty modes, scoring system, vintage-style visuals and soundtrack.<ref name="TANSrex"/>
== References == {{reflist|30em}}
== External links == {{Portal|Germany|Video games}} * {{Official website|http://razion.ngdevteam.com/}}
{{NGDEV}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Razion}} Category:2014 video games Category:Arcade video games Category:Homebrew software Category:Horizontally scrolling shooters Category:Indie games Category:Neo Geo games Category:NG:Dev.Team games Category:Nintendo Switch games Category:Retro-style video games Category:Science fiction video games Category:Shoot 'em ups Category:Single-player video games Category:Unauthorized video games Category:Video games developed in Germany