R-Type
| R-Type | |
|---|---|
Japanese arcade flyer
|
|
| Developer(s) | Irem |
| Publisher(s) | Irem |
| Distributor(s) | |
| Platform(s) |
Arcade
|
| Release date(s) |
July 1, 1987
|
| Genre(s) | Side scrolling shoot-em-up |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
| Cabinet | Upright |
| Display |
Raster, standard resolution (Used: 384 x 256) horizontal orientation |
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Publication | Score |
| CVG | 93% |
| Crash | 92% |
| Sinclair User | 90% |
| Your Sinclair | 9/10 |
| ACE | 871 |
| The Games Machine | 90% |
| Awards | |
|---|---|
| Publication | Award |
| Your Sinclair | Megagame |
| Crash | Crash Smash |
R-Type is a side scrolling shoot-em-up arcade game produced by Irem in 1987. The player controls a space fighter named the R-9 to defend humanity against a mysterious powerful alien life-form known as the "Bydo". The game is notable for programming which was ambitious for the time, with a wide range of both power-ups and enemies, as well as levels of varying design and length, and sprites larger than a single screen.
R-Type is set in the middle of 22nd century, and the player flies a futuristic fighter craft called the R-9a "Arrowhead" with a mission to destroy the evil Bydo Empire. The game is composed of several sequential levels, with a boss enemy at the end of each. The player controls a small spacecraft and must navigate terrain and fight enemies using the various ship weapons. The player's spacecraft has, by default, a weak but rapid-firing main gun; and a more powerful gun called a wave cannon, which requires the player to hold their fire to build up power for the cannon. When released, this fires a concentrated bolt of energy which can do more damage to larger enemies, and can pass through entire waves of weaker 'single hit' enemies.
During the game, the player can obtain an auxiliary device called a Force. This resembles a glowing orange ball. The Force can be attached to the front or back of the player's spacecraft, or detached to fly freely. When attached, the Force provides one of three different powerful weapons, in addition to the main gun and the wave cannon. When detached, these weapons cannot be used, but the Force will instead resort to a secondary set of guns, which can be fired by the player even if the Force is at a distance from the spacecraft. The Force has a secondary use as a shield; it is completely indestructible and can block most things fired at it, as well as damage or destroy enemies on contact. It can also be used as a ram, either by attaching it to the spacecraft and running into enemies, or by launching it into enemies.
The R- in the series title originally stood for "ray", as in a ray of light, in reference to the many different types of ray-like weapons in the first R-Type. This was later retconned in R-Type Final to refer specifically to the production code as well as a term of endearment for the player fighter craft, the "Round Canopy". Another theory suggests that "R-Type" refers to Bydo as r-strategists in r/K selection theory.
The original R-Type was well received by most gaming critics. However, it was also infamous for its relentless difficulty. The gameplay of R-Type is noticeably distinct among shoot 'em ups. Invariably the player will lose, not because of an inequality in firepower, but because of the design of the levels themselves. There is usually a 'correct' way to get through a level, but players must learn these by experience - i.e. by losing and restarting from earlier in the level. The game innovated with its weapon system compared to contemporary shooters, featuring a chargeable shot ("beam-meter"), and detachable 'force' pod; levels were designed to require different tactics and ideal weapons (air-to-air, diagonal bouncing lasers, or air-to-ground laser).
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