Last updated on December 17th, 2025 at 11:26 am
RayForce – Casual Game Review
RayForce is a Casual/Action/Entertainment game from TAITO Corporation, first launched in 13th January 2012.
It’s rated 4+ and currently has 10+ ratings on the App Store.
What Makes RayForce Stand Out
TAITO is famous for arcade shooting games, and the RAY trilogy is one of the most beloved series!
Ever since the 1993 release of the trilogy's first installment, RAYFORCE, fans have been thrilled by the game's cinematic visuals and gorgeous layered raster scrolling graphics. RAYFORCE became a 2D shooting instant classic, and now it's available for iPhone and iPad!
*Two Game Modes: Remix Mode and Arcade Mode!
The Remix Mode provides a new, iPhone-optimized experience with simple flick-style controls.
For the hardcore, Arcade Mode is a faithful touchscreen recreation of the original arcade game.
*Two Shooting Methods: Auto and Manual!
Auto Mode provides automatic, button-free firing for both the standard weapon and lock on laser, allowing players to take on this challenging game with a single finger.
Manual Mode adds weapon controls (a toggle for the standard shot and a fire button for the lock on laser), providing a more arcade-like play experience.
*Support MFi Bluetooth controllers!!
Key configuration is also possible!
*Game Center Compatibility!
Individual rankings have been prepared for each ships and for each game mode.
Let's compete with high-score players from all over the world!
Get Achievement fulfilling various conditions in game! Aim for Achievement Complete!!
*Two Display Types: Zoom and Original!
The Zoom display enlarges the play area, filling the entire iPhone screen with dynamic visuals.
For the purist, the Original display mode delivers a pixel-perfect rendition of the arcade game's screen.
*Difficulty Modes Added!
A total of 8 difficulty modes are now available, ranging from Very Easy to Very Hard.
*RAYFORCE's gorgeous graphics and striking raster scrolling, perfectly recreated!
RAYFORCE owes much of its unique look to the arcade technology of the time, and no expense has been spared replicating those visuals for the iPhone edition of the game.
*RAYFORCE's enchanting soundtrack is back!
One of the highlights of the original RAYFORCE experience was its sound design, perfectly replicated here under the supervision of TAITO's ZUNTATA sound team.
*Added a arranged BGM by SHOHEI TSUCHIYA(ZUNTATA) on Area1!
Using Option setting,you can choose Original BGM or Arranged BGM!!
Nortification
This app is intended for the iPhone 4 or newer, running iOS version 4.2 or newer.
A Request from TAITO
If you have any question, please contact our customer support address:
[email protected]
This Casual game offers engaging gameplay and regular updates for mobile players.
Player Feedback
As a newer release, RayForce is building its player community. Early feedback suggests .
Recent Updates & Development
Latest Update: 6th September 2017
Recent improvements include:
This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.
*Added link banner connecting RAY-Series applications.
==Major Free Updated on May,31,2017==
Supported MFi compatible bluetooth controller!
Added a arranged BGM by SHOHEI TSUCHIYA(ZUNTATA) on Area1!
*Supported operation using entire screen for iPhone6 or newer!
Download & Availability
RayForce is available through the official App Store for iOS devices.
Requirements: Requires iPhone 5s / iPad Air / iPad Air (Cellular) / iPad Mini 2 (Retina) / iPad Mini 2 (Retina, Cellular) / iPhone 6 / iPhone 6 Plus / iPad Air 2 / iPad Air 2 (Cellular) / iPad Mini 3 or later.
Compatible with iPhone and iPad devices.
Player Experience Highlights
Community Insight:
We bought all titles of shooting games. Please bring all the games over here, Taito – AAAA++++.
Good game. The interface looks pretty good as well. Our complain is that it doesnt support joystick on our mfi controller. It would also be great if it can save our scores locally as well.(scores are only saved on Game Center).
We thought our iPad 2 wasn't working right and then we realized it's the game…please fix this cause it's one of our favorite shooters please.
This game is phenominal. We absolutely love it. Just hope it sees a widescreen update for all the newer devices like Dariusburst got (while, maybe not EXACTLY like Dariusburst got… As it was pulled from the store right after the update hit…)… We can hope.
Awesome arcade game on IOS! Purchased forever-a-go! The best game in our library! Works on IOS9! Buy it.
Needs support for iPhone 5 resolution. Otherwise, phenomenal game. Thank you.
This is one of the best games ported to ios. Controls are great and the app is well worth the purchase.
Hey for the next update you can make the space craft transform into a mech with a special attack.
RayForce/Layer Section/Gunlock has been reviewed elsewhere. This is an amazing game. The iOS port is graphically very solid, we have no problems on an iPad Air 2 and didn't think it was blurry or anything. This is a game whose difficulty grade changes a lot with touch. We can generally 1cc through to the second level final boss on the Saturn version of this game, but we no missed the whole second level (including the scary boss) first try on iOS. This is in Remix mode. Arcade mode, as other reviews have noted, feels wrong, even though it tries to emulate the original difficulty level by slowing the ship down. Maybe with practice this would be okay, but at this moment we would just go back and play on a console to get the spot on difficulty. For under $10 this is a snap purchase for us. Kudos to Taito for bringing their back catalog to iOS.
When we first downloaded this we couldn't play it because the prior version (1.0.2) didn't work with iOS 6. But the new version (1.0.3) does work as advertised (at least on our iPod Touch 4th gen running iOS 6) so now that we can play it we can say it's indeed an arcade-perfect port of this great Taito game in almost every way-our only complaint, albeit a near-big one-is the controls. The finger-swipe for movement is hard at first and we would've much preferred a D-pad or virtual joystick controller as the movement isn't as smooth as in similar Taito iOS games (namely DariusBurst SP). Oh, and don't play Zoom mode on anything but an iPad, it makes the screen size too small. No such problems in Original mode though. As far as frame rate and the like, on our Touch 4 it runs perfectly with no lag or delays. And we're also happy that the solid ZUNTATA-produced soundtrack is intact. As long as the control issue isn't make-or-break it otherwise is probably worth $6 while it's on the half-price sale (if we wasn't a big franchise fan we wouldn't otherwise have paid more than $3). If it goes back to regular price (probably $12 based on advertising) then we would stop short of recommending it unless you're a diehard fan of the franchise or Taito games. Now if a future update were to implement a better control setup we'd probably up our review from 4 stars to 5.
Update for compatibility on iOS 6 please. Thank you :) Otherwise, it is an awesome game, well ahead of its time when it was first released back in 1993. :).
This game is excellent. Taito keep the arcade games coming , haven't let us down yet . Only problem we have with this game on the iPhone remix version our score doesn't come up on gamecenter please fix this . Thank you for the games keep them coming !! Update!! September 19th! Rayforce is not working on iOS 6 we're in shock right now please Fix this immediately. Your other games are working properly but this game needs an update please fix! Doesn't even boot up :( :(.
People seemed to have lag issues and we can see that, but not even close to cause problem. Although there was a Raystorm, we decided to get this instead because of soundtrack- we like Rayforce's soundtrack better. And Rayforce is also known as most beautiful pixel-graphic on the arcade at that time. Entering atmosphere, breaking ground… Gorgeous. But you see, we're a big retro fan. We would prefer to play pixel graphic than clean realistic 3d. And not everyone is like that. The sound, graphic seems fine, but only with original graphic resolution. Once zoomed in, it cause some problem. But these can be solved easily by rebooting your phone, as it DESCRBED on description. Maybe people just need to take time and read whats on there. We mean, it's there for a reason.
We have an iPhone 4 and it is choppy when playing the game on a zoomed screen. The normal screen makes it run smoother, but it's annoying especially for those that want a bigger screen and to those that paid $6 (or full price of $12!). Cave's shmups run perfectly fine and even on older devices. 3 stars though because this is still a great game.
Tsk, tsk, Taito. While a solid port, the lack of true universal app support seems awkward and out-dated. Kind of kills the experience of a game originally designed for a full-sized arcade cabinet monitor or television.
Choppy emulation on our iPhone 4. Pretty smooth on our iPad 3. We love the game in the arcade!!! It's arcade perfect minus chops.
This is a great old game that we loved in the arcade and on Sega Saturn and even though these Japanese companies need to learn that its unreasonable to charge more than 10 bucks for a port that would be less elsewhere, we can't help but support them out of a combination of nostalgia and admiration. We don't ask much in return – just a FUNCTIONAL GAME. To be fair, the description (as of September 24) mentions that the game may not operate optimally on an iPhone 5, there is no mention of iOS6 being the culprit. For what we paid for thus game, we expect an update SOON.
Same deal. Does not work on iOS 6 on the iPad or iPhone 5. Please fix.
The game doesn't load on a brand new iPhone 5 IOS6.
This application isn't worth what it is charged. It's a old game and only has 7 levels we beat it in the first 20 minuets. Two thumbs down complete robbery.
This is a great classic but unfortunately we cannot recommend this for anyone other than iPad 3 owners. There is very bad touchscreen latency well over 300 ms that makes this type of game unplayable on the iPhone 4s and it just gets worse on lesser hardware. It is just over acceptable on the iPad 3. Hope the developers look into this issue.
Unnatural movement of the bottom screen unit. Magnet under the screen.
Very awesome game, very good controls, great graphics, and let's you wanting to play more of it. Music is good as well, game progressively gets more challenging as you reach the later levels. Overall the game is really good.
If you're a fan of shoot em ups or bullet hell games then you'll love RayForce. Graphics are good, sounds are good, all around this is a great game. Sadly, the controls for the arcade mode seem to be a little laggy. They need to fix that. Otherwise it's an awesome game.
4/5 fun game style shoot n dodge. But 12$? Really? Graphics are Fine as well.
We just bought this game for our iPod touch 4th gen. The graphics motion is not smooth at all, quite choppy like 15 frames per second, not good! We recommend you get a Cave shmup instead.
Controls are laggy and strange. Take a hint from Cave on how this should be done. Wouldn't recommend this to anyone.
User feedback from Apple App Store
App Details
- Version: 1.1.4
- Size: 51.95 MB
- iOS: 8.0 or later
- Languages: EN
- Content Advisory:
- Developer: TAITO Corporation
Last updated: 6th September 2017 | Genre: Casual, Action | Developer: TAITO Corporation