R-Type Final – Review
The shooting genre has changed drastically since 1987 when the first R-Type game hit the scene. Gone are the days when they used to flood the arcades and home consoles by the bucket load. In fact, outside of less than a few releases per year, the 2D shooter is all but evaporated. It’s ironic then, when noting how gaming has changed, to also see how R-Type has remained faithful to its roots, which is also a testament to how fantastic these games used to be and still are. And while R-Type Final does nothing to evolve from the franchise’s history, that is in no way a negative thing.
Gamers unfamiliar with the R-Type franchise may be surprised to find that it’s not the typical frantic, “ikaruga” type modern day shooter. Possibly described as a “methodical shooter”, if such a thing makes sense, R-Type has always relied on strategy & reflexes. The series is also renowned for its difficulty, and in this latest offering there is no exception to the rule. R-Type Final doesn’t deviate from the formula that made the franchise a classic in the making. Rather, it embraces it & almost perfects it in every way possible.
This time, you are required to rid the universe of Bydo, the “living embodiment of evil”, once and for all. Included, you have to obtain an amazing 100 ships to unlock & while the differences between each are few, it’s still a nice option to be able to choose between so many spaceships. Added to this, is the variation & customization you’re allowed to perform of each ship such as colors & powers. This adds a whole new element to the game, giving the player the ability to custom your craft for the requirements of the next level & improving your chances of completion. R-Type Final also contains upgradeable weapons and features, the most important one being the “Force” (an indestructible pod that can attach itself to either the front or rear of your craft and allows it to be shot out at enemies or crush enemy attacks). The Force also receives the same weapon upgrades your ship receives, essentially turning it into a remotely controlled second ship. Veteran players will duly be pleased to see that Irem have not tampered with this formula and everything remains faithful to its original counterparts.
The stages are superbly designed, throughout. The only gripe being with perhaps the “slow-starting” initial stage, which at times is practically devoid of enemies. Strangely enough, this break in action occurs a few times throughout the game, however even with this peculiarity aside, R-Type fans will be overjoyed when they reach “The Bydo” level, an R-Type trait that requires you to gradually destroy a massive Bydo ship in parts. Each stage now contains multiple paths to discover, adding bigger possibilities to the game. Although graphically stunning, unfortunately, there is the dreaded issue of slowdown that has plagued this series since the beginning. When the screen becomes hectic with bullets & enemy ships, the frame rate becomes varied & inconsistent, not a very welcome sight. But even so, visually, it’s hard not to be impressed by how far R-Type has come. The series has always wowed shooter fans & the power of the PS2 has also managed to bring it to a whole new level. The stage designs are absolutely gorgeous and there is an incredible amount of technical eye candy to lush over, such as the lighting effects on explosions & lasers.
Soundtrack wise, R-Type Final is a bit more “pop” or “mellow” than its previous “rock style” counterparts, but the change is very welcome. In R-Type Final, the music used throughout establishes the mood perfectly whilst conveying seamlessly with enemy nuances.
Final Thoughts:
It’s sad for me to see one of my favorite shooting franchises come to an end. With R-Type Final, we get a game that pays tribute to its legacy by going out with a bang and it does so without trying to add too much or expand the series too far that it becomes indistinguishable from its roots. While the game does have its flaws such as the occasional slowdown (and some unwelcome breaks in the action), R-Type Final does the franchise justice.
Review by Danny
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