R-Type Final

Super Street Video Game Reviews

Fans of the R-Type series will be sad to note that R-Type Final will end the long running franchise. R-Type blasted its way onto the scene with great acclaim in 1987 and this latest version is an amazing accomplishment when you think that this series has been around for 17 years. Not a bad accomplishment in the ever-changing, rapidly expanding gaming world. Not content to limp off into oblivion, R-Type Final goes out with a big bang in this large, super-deluxe space fighter shoot 'em up style game.

Previous players know they'll be up against the evil Bydo, who, due to special properties, has the ability to self-replicate. Bydo is back having replicated once again into a huge, powerful weapon that's ready to destroy everything in its path. In R-Type Final humans have finally constructed a weapon so mighty it will obliterate the despicable Bydo once and for all. Don't forget, there's always a catch: if humans misuse the weapon it could wreak havoc and annihilate all of humanity instead. But, since there won't be anyone around to give you any lip about your mess up, feel free to pick a fighter and get going.

R-Type Final will amaze you with the number of fighters available to play and customize. There are 99 fighters here, waiting in the hangar to be played. Gamers get to keep their different customized fighters in a personal hangar to use on different levels or just to mix things up. Change the fighter's colors, modify its weapons, or add something new and then save it in your inventory.

Controls don't come much easier than this game. The basic moves are left analog stick to move, the square button to deliver single shots, and the circle button for rapid firing options. When missiles are flying wear out that circle button--button mashers here you go! Players don't need to have a lot of button combination finesse to handle the fighters in and out of battle.

A few of the game modes include: AI setting (1 or 2 player), Championship, Battle, and Password. AI allows you to create a fighter and then take it into battle--not one from a personal hangar. No surprise here, one player mode has gamers square off against the computer, and for two player mode, each player creates a ship and then dukes it out to the bitter end. Championship mode has players select an opponent to try to win as many matches as possible to be named Champ. The last mode is Battle where a player chooses to fight but this time gamers get to choose any fighter from their own arsenal.

One note to very beginning gamers, some of the levels are super hard even in "Baby" mode and might prove to be more of a battle of frustration than anything else. More experienced gamers will definitely have a better chance of making it through the levels. The difficulty settings start with Baby (easy) and end with R-Typer (difficult) and players might have to try out a couple different modes to find their appropriate skill level. Still, we like the different difficulty levels since it extends the life of a favorite game to be able to work up to expert level--unless you are already there. Hardcore fans and players won't be disappointed and will need to bring their all their skills into play to get through some of the boss levels.

It's always hard to see a franchise end, especially one that has been around so long. R-Type final has made it through the many changes of the video game market and retires with a gorgeously executed game that goes out in a big, big way. With lots of different game modes, the nearly 100 customizable fighters, and the evil Bydo out there needing a serious ass kicking, we think players will have their work cut out for them. We give it 3.5 nukes.