R-Type Final is a horizontal shooter video game by Irem for the PlayStation 2 video game console. It was planned to be the last mainline game in the R-Type series. However, R-Type Tactics was released for the PlayStation Portable in 2007, and the direct sequel R-Type Final 2 was announced on March 30, 2019, and was released on April 29, 2021.
Story
Final takes place after several long wars against the Bydo, the main antagonist in the R-Type series. The player’s first mission is to investigate a mysterious enemy inside a crashed space colony, the remnants of a large battle codenamed Operation Last Dance, a previous attempt to wipe out the Bydo once and for all. This investigative theme is incorporated throughout the game as each level is considered ‘research’ on the Bydo and unlocks a gallery of in-universe artwork and additional playable ships. Levels are prefaced with hints of the R-Type universe in the form of poetry.
Eventually the player is tasked with finishing where Operation Last Dance left off, and their success with their task is determined by which route the player takes. The primary route sees the player confront the heart of the Bydo, sacrificing themselves and their ship to destroy it in a last stand. One of the alternate routes turns the player ship into a Bydo, and pits the player against their former allies. The final alternate route sees the player taken to the future to fight against an unrelenting wave of Bydo forces with no way to continue once they die.
⭐ Review Scores
Gameplay
Final provides 101 playable ships, including altered versions of ships appearing in previous R-Type games, together with many original ones. They are unlocked through a branching system accessed via the R Museum, which was originally featured in R-Types. The PlayStation 2’s internal clock is incorporated into each ship’s development history (shown through a commemorative plaque) when certain in-game tasks are completed. For example, ships unlocked in 2008 will be seen in the game as having been rolled out in 2168.
Reception
The game received “generally favorable reviews” according to the review aggregation website Metacritic. In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of 33 out of 40. GamePro said of the game, “For fans of the genre who thought 2D shooters were phased out to extinction, R-Type Final is a sweet reminder that some types of tried-and-true gameplay never go out of style.”
In a special edition of Edge, listing their 100 top videogames of all time, the game was the only horizontal shooter on the list.
Notes
References
External links
- R-Type Final at MobyGames
- R Type Final screenshots and reviews
Source: Wikipedia – R-Type Final
Gamer24h Editor's Take
R-Type Final caught our attention with its unique design and has shaped up to be a must-play masterpiece candidate thanks to the depth of its experience. The visionary approach of developer Irem, combined with the expertise of publisher Irem, Eidos Interactive, Metro3D, has resulted in an exceptionally refined product. Its innovative take on the Shoot 'em up genre offers a breath of fresh air for fans of the category. With an overall score of 79, it delivers an enjoyable experience well above average. If you're looking for an absorbing world and satisfying mechanics that pull you right in, this game might be exactly what you've been searching for.