R-Type: Concluding bit

R-Type III: The Third Lightning, 1993 (SNES)

After Super R-Type, you'd expect another horror show but it’s actually the polar opposite.

Three types of Force (Round, Shadow and Cyclone) offer different firepower that borrows from bastard sibling Leo.

The new Hyper cannon (which goes through solid objects and bosses), can 'overheat' and must cool down before resumption.

Expect to wade through space debris, acid dripping caves, blast furnace and vegetation, all breathing a wicked assortment of Bydo brutality.

The fifth boss warms the cockles of retro hearts as cellular jelly mound morphs into iconic favourite Dobkeratops, which becomes Rios and Cyst.

Shell (the snake from midway through the arcade’s first stage), is brought as boss.

In the final stage, background disappears and reappears, so deciding whether to stick or bust is key to progress.

Survive all that shit and the end boss (who inconveniently regenerates head) impatiently awaits.

Limbs detach as a final act of defiance and after some not too fancy dodging later, the persistent tries to escape into harmonious space.

Waiting for head to split and feeding it whichever force seals the deal.

Completing Advanced Mission ups difficulty but unlike Super R-Type, ending is not extended.

I tell a lie, you are a super player!

Six superb stages boast copious variety and regularly exploit Mode 7 wizardry.

There are slowdown issues and unavoidable flicker but compared to predecessor, this travels faster than a speeding bullet.

Music isn't great but does have occasional menace.

Difficulty is finely balanced and the latter half tests reflexes and concentration.

Are restart points back?

Mercifully yes and although great news, they merely atoned for their own error.

In 2003, Raylight Studios brought the experience to GBA with puzzling debauchery.

Despite looking the part, action in comparison crawls and beep music is absolutely appalling.

Breath of Fire was bad but holy shit.

However, the 'invisible' area surrounding ship means collision detection renders this an absolute Bydowreck.

Dying when it's not your fault?

Marvellous!

R-Type Delta, 1998 (PS1)

A.D. 2164, Asia

Building upon Third Lightning, different models of crate dictate Force and weaponry.

R9 “Delta” – Standard

RX “Albatross” – Tentacle

R13 “Cerberus” – Anchor

While the good old wave cannon sticks like a limpet, once the new Delta weapon reaches 100%, baddies are taught a lesson they'll never forget.

'Collecting' speed is no longer necessary as tapping R2 or R1 gives total control.

Doubling system power presents a special effects laden extravaganza.

The heart of 2D beats fast but backgrounds and sprites are subject to much 3D rotation.

Dubbed contacts, seven stages routinely excite

Negotiating the stomp of 'Imperial Walkers' feels like the ballet dancer sequence from Parodius.

The final stage is appropriately strange.

Imagine fathomless space with the enemy appearing from a giant puddle.

Ocean liners, apartment blocks, DNA strands and mathematical equations magnify a fucked up danger.

When Force eats yellow comet and attaches itself to alien core – we must be patient until the capability to nuke is granted...

With its bestiary of biological, organic and mechanical danger, Delta simply delights.

Ranging from slug larvae and friend, giant tank, spaceship and Dobkeratops, bosses can be monstrous.

Once again, the fifth end of level obstacle delivers more of the same, namely Shell, Cyst and Battleship.

If there is something to moan about, some crafts possess firepower better suited against certain bosses.

R9 and RX celebrate success with a right royal piss up but R13 famously suffers eternal damnation.

R-Type Final, 2003 (PS2)

Judging by title, did they mean it?

Yes and no.

The whole hoo-ha is being able to pilot a total of 99 crafts but in truth, many are just upgrades of others.

However, that will neither stall or perturb the determined.

POW Armour, classic and even X-Multiply makes an appearance.

Customising bits, Force, colour and missiles automatically satisfies.

Staying with the same hunk of metal is down to personal choice as the current can be swapped with the already unlocked after stage end.

We begin with a modest choice of three and although ‘fighters’ are initially inherited by simply completing a stage, fussiness borders on the ridiculous.

Finishing the game.
Total playing time.
Beating boss with a specific ship and even how boss is beaten.

For this purpose, stages are displayed as decimal and accessing multiple ‘variations’ depend on the player.

Call me a lazy bastard but the novelty inexorably became a soul destroying chore.

Regardless of dedication, much of what’s achieved is housed within a new look museum.

Apart from main scoop, ‘Vs. AI’ provides a weird one on one battle against CPU and ‘Score Attack’ is the perfect tonic for points junkies.

So then, are you a big fat screaming Baby or a mean motherfuckin' R-Typer?

Whatever, commence Operation Last Dance.

Most of this vindaloo oozes melancholy and quote or excerpt from ‘ship archives’, ‘Bydo body’, ‘Bydo Lab Chief’s speech’ or ‘recovered voice recorder’ adds extra spice.

Haunting murmurs accompany minimal music and full-on themes are moodier than a hormonal teenager with acne.

Backgrounds study science, ecology, vacuum like vortex and climb the peak of disorientation.

New behemoths are a given but Dobkeratops and the tragic Cerberus appearing as end of stage bad asses in hidden deviations are challenges worth seeking.

If the final stage in Delta was dark, this is FUBAR.

Avoiding awkward spore formations is the primary objective but silhouettes of male and female eventually having sex raises eyebrows.

Once again, the end boss isn't one per se and represented as a glowing organism.

After using the Force, your basis for attack is removed and a flurry of Force devices soon bombards a sitting duck.

What now, right?

Dodging forever won't help and the wave cannon provides the ‘Final’ clue.

Charging for around 30 seconds or so compels the gauge to illuminate and indicates Giga Wave.

KA BASTARD BOOM.

The educated will know premier PS2 blasting is reserved for import audiences only and although this deserves a top ten spot, the hardcore Gradius V remains king.

R-Type Command, 2008 (PSP)

Originally released as Tactics in Japan in 2007, could a turn-based, hexagonal tactical strategy structured as scrolling shmup actually work?

Before pouring scorn, let’s give gamble a chance.

This is essentially a more intense version of the strategic map mode in Star Fox Command on DS.

With that in mind, is the North American name a coincidence?

Yes.

Archives record battle records and unit information and Gallery stores numerous types of unlocked CG artwork which can be set as wallpaper.

Vs mode is available through the wonder of Wi-Fi.

Right, here goes Campaign.

First off, a squad of unit, craft, Force and transport needs assembling.

Once done, they must be deployed on grid.

Admittedly, a lot can be done per turn but is limited, depending on what's moved, so situation dictates strategy.

Developing units is done via R&D but replaying missions to gather resources is unfortunately a must.

The prudent will protect weaker crafts by moving them out of range.

Although the expendable can be nuked to inflict massive damage, it’s worth sticking with certain types as skills are improved.

Transport repairs and acts as guardian angel but if destroyed - game over man.

As progress is made, indestructible background must be evaded and destroying obstacles makes life easier.

Ordering an attack instigates brief but impressive CG.  Sensibly, animations can be turned off so only the aftermath is seen.

You can ‘miss’ and the enemy can counter attack.

Completing missions tot up CG in gallery, new squads and modified weaponry.

Tackling numerous sub-species of Dobkeratops means the boss inferno burns bright.

Once the Human side is dusted, Bydo Mission ensures this flagon will take a while to guzzle.

It may not be to everybody’s cup of cocoa, but fans of the genre should lap up a slow-burning experience.

Graphics are decent enough but 3D models and backgrounds are practically static.

Inevitably, this biohazard isn't without problems.

The CPU charges the wave cannon and takes several turns to unleash.  If hit, charge is reset and we must try again.

How fucking irritating.

Enemy AI can lack the intelligence of a dead slug and UMD must load more than a fork lift truck.

Fair enough, this can be ‘reduced’ but the principle remains.

Overall, transforming shmup into chess performs admirably and that in itself is a triumph.

The 2009 Japanese exclusive sequel was subbed, ahem, Operation Bitter Chocolate.

From a gameplay POV, little has changed, but humans assist and aggressive expansion is applied to unit and mission gross.

It would seem fun is done but Rezon says otherwise.

Believe me, I nearly gave in during 'attack of the familiars' but somehow resisted.

Rest assured, there'll be shocks and surprises.