Editing Radiant Silvergun (section)

==Gameplay==
[[File:Radiant_Silvergun_screenshot.png|thumb|left|A player using the spread gun.]]
''Radiant Silvergun'' is a [[Vertically scrolling video game|vertically scrolling]] [[shoot 'em up]]. The player is given a wide arsenal from the start of the game featuring three primary weapons: strong forward laser, weak [[Homing (missile guidance)|homing]] projectiles, and a spread gun which fires pairs of exploding projectiles at a wide angle. Combining any of these weapons with another will result in one of three new types of attack: a rear firing laser (laser + spread), an auto-targeting plasma beam (laser + homing), and a close range missile targeting system (homing + spread). Using all 3 weapons together activates a sword that can be swung around the ship to damage nearby enemies and defensively absorb a common type of enemy projectile. Absorbing enemy fire charges up the sword for a screen-clearing special attack. The stages are methodically and tightly paced with carefully crafted scenarios that can be approached differently with the varying weapons.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/04/07/fond-memories-radiant-silvergun|title=Fond Memories: Radiant Silvergun|last=Buchanan|first=Levi|date=7 April 2008|website=IGN|language=en-US|access-date=25 December 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813060654/http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/04/07/fond-memories-radiant-silvergun|archive-date=13 August 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/radiant-silvergun/|title=Radiant Silvergun|last=Kalata|first=Kurt|date=4 May 2012|work=Hardcore Gaming 101|access-date=25 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180326003914/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/radiant-silvergun/|archive-date=26 March 2018|url-status=live|language=en-US|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

The game's [[Score (game)|scoring]] system is based on enemy color. All enemies are one of three colors: red, blue, or yellow. Destroying three enemies of the same color in a row starts a bonus scoring chain. Destroying another set of the same color continues the chain and increases the bonus, while shooting another color resets it. Unlike Ikaruga, switching colors between sets breaks the chain. In addition to gaining a higher score, chains contribute to leveling up the weapon being used, increasing its effectiveness. The weapons stay powered up for the remainder of the game.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> The player can also obtain extra points by destroying [[Boss (video gaming)|bosses]] more methodically. Each boss has different segments and appendages that can be destroyed before targeting their weak spot. If all these segments are destroyed first, the player will earn a greater bonus.<ref name=ssm_preview>{{cite magazine|date=August 1998|title=Radiant Silvergun|url=https://archive.org/stream/Official_Sega_Saturn_Magazine_034/Official_Sega_Saturn_Magazine_034_-_august_1998_UK#page/n19/mode/2up|magazine=Sega Saturn Magazine (UK)|issue=34|pages=20–24|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160407092532/https://archive.org/stream/Official_Sega_Saturn_Magazine_034/Official_Sega_Saturn_Magazine_034_-_august_1998_UK#page/n19/mode/2up|archive-date=7 April 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> There are also hidden dogs that when shot, will give the player bonus points and unlock more game options.<ref name="ssmuk" />