R-Type Final
| R-Type Final | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Irem |
| Publisher(s) | |
| Producer(s) | Kazuma Kujo |
| Designer(s) | Kazuma Kujo |
| Composer(s) | Yuki Iwai |
| Platform(s) |
PlayStation 2 PlayStation 3 (HD) |
| Release date(s) | |
| Genre(s) | Scrolling shooter |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
R-Type Final (アールタイプファイナル Āru Taipu Fainaru) is a horizontally scrolling shooter video game by Irem for the PlayStation 2 video game console originally planned as the last game in the series; however, R-Type Tactics was released for the PlayStation Portable in 2007.
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.
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.
The level physicality and enemies change size and character depending on the difficulty setting chosen by the player, providing different flight paths and playing experience for each level.