Play Raiders5 Online

Raiders5 is a top-down maze shooter with some puzzle elements. A level consists of a single maze with a vertical design. The player controls a ship that can move in four directions. To complete a level the exit needs to be opened up before time runs out. A maze consists of two types of blocks that form walls, enemies and collectibles. The tiles for movement are coloured purple. By shooting regular, grey maze walls they disappear and orange tiles appear instead.

The puzzle element is based on movement. When moving over purple tiles, it is not possible to turn 90 degrees when both sides, next to the ship, have a wall, with no wall tile or the edge of the screen in front of the ship. It is however possible to turn 180 degrees. More movement is provided by shooting the regular wall tiles to create orange tiles where full turning is always possible. Shooting wall tiles is rewarded with points and by removing all of them and collecting bonus points through special tiles along the way, a better weapon is provided and the exit is eventually opened up. A second type of wall is permanent and cannot be destroyed.

Another part of the strategical element is the use of enemies. Various enemies roam the maze and chase the ship. When it is touched a life is lost immediately. If an enemy is shot it temporary turns into a pulsating egg before respawning, so they cannot be defeated permanently. The player has to use the egg state strategically to turn an enemy into an obstacle. When travelling over purple tiles and being unable to turn, an enemy's egg state can act as a new obstacle in front of the ship, allowing it to turn. The egg can also be shot to move it. The game first offers a short exercise mode with no active enemies, only eggs, before the real levels start. After completing a level bonus points are provided for the remaining time and not missing a single shot.