R-Type Final Review





Developer: Irem Software Publisher: Eidos
Release Date: February 3, 2004 Also On: None

R-Type Final is one of those games that you either love or hate. For me, I love to love its 100+ fully customizable ships. On the other hand, replay value, aside from playing through the game with new ships, is scarce. Again, though with five difficulty settings, ranging from baby (very easy) to R-Typer (expert), it is hard to not up the ante.

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R-Type, if nothing else, is essentially a shooter with a 3D rendered background, that successfully recreates a 2D side-scrolling universe, but brings it up to next-generation standards. R-Type Final is a joy for old arcade gamers and will probably attract to the same debunked 1980’s crowd that loved Viewtiful Joe so dearly, though an entirely different genre.

In R-Type Final, you move your ship using the left analog stick, moving up, down, left and right on the screen. You basically blast every enemy that appears on the screen, while avoiding obstacles and gaining power-ups. L1 is speed up, used cleverly to sneak through waterfalls without plunging into the water, and L2 to speed down. There are four total speeds. R1 or circle are used for rapid fire. Hitting enemies destroys your fighter. POW armor, when destroyed, provides you with a power-up, which can be leveled up three levels. Bits are installed above and below your fighter. When hit by an enemy, the bits destroy it.

The wave cannon is more powerful than your laser. By holding the square button, your wave cannon gauge will fill up and give off a stronger attack, depending on how far the gauge is filled and your fighter type. “The Force�, which locks onto the front or back of your craft, can detach with X. “The Force� can absorb enemy fire and do unique attacks while detached. Special weapons are used to destroy large concentrations of enemies or bosses. When “The Force� absorbs attacks, your energy increases. When your “dose gauge�, or energy gauge, is full, you can perform this attack with triangle.

Don’t be mistaken, R-Type is a side-scrolling shooter with a magnificent 3D background. All action takes place in ships, with well-detailed backgrounds varying by level. The levels actually greatly differ, from a forest, city, and a factory. The spirit of arcade gaming is captured in R-Type Final, making it the most memorable side-scroller, on the PS2, to date.

Graphics: 8
Sound: 7.5
Gameplay: 9
Creativity: 8
Replay Value/Game Length: 6
Final: 7.7
Written by Kyle Review Guide

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