R-Type Final

I just got R-Type Final today from VGD, and it's pretty good.

There are more bullets in some spots than the regular R-Type, but using the Force pod to sop these up raises the DOSE special weapon meter.

RTF has some slowdown, but truthfully it's comparable to that of Pulstar and not that big of a deal in my opinion.

Xelf-16 (the first boss) has some nice liquid metal effects. Stage 2 can be a different one in each game- I think it depends on how you did in Stage 1.

Wait 'til you see the mothership battle this time.

Can't wait. My copy should arrive within 2 days.

I'm like a starving dog here, slavering at the very mention of the name and drooling like mad at actual info. More info, please. :)

One of the things I remember hearing about before the game hit was an inclusion of an AI training mode, where you can train a ship to go through the game by itself. Did this mode make it into the final?

James

The first level is boring enough to send the most caffeine fuelled, energetic person to sleep. They spent way too long creating dozens of different ships and pointless spinning backgrounds instead of creating a fun to play shooter. I won't be buying this for myself.

Yes, more impressions please. This is on my consideration list so I need to know if it's worth bumping up to the shelling out the cash list.

Did you know that the fighters from Image Fight and even Mr. Heli no Daibouken are in the lineup?

My friend Cacophanus is a huge R-Type fan and has completed the game but seems to only like half the stages. There's also a bit of slowdown and one of the two last stages is pure garbage.

I hate to admit it, but RTF seems a tad on the easy side compared to other R-Types if you use the Human (Normal) mode. Hell, I've gotten to what may well be the final boss already- and this is with limited credits. You may want to kick it up a notch or two- playing on Bydo or R-Typer is recommended. I had expected the Human setting to be equivalent to R-Type II's default, Pulstar's level 4/MVS, or something like that.

The AI mode is a space duel where you take one of the ships and pit it against another. As in your typical fighting game, 2 wins takes the match. You can tweak settings for your ship, but this mode is Gaijin Protected.

Too bad the rest of the game doesn't quite live up to stage 3's mothership battle. :( What kind of sucks is that 5 of the stages are divided up as 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, and 2.4. Why didn't Irem put all those 2.x levels in as separate stages?

Sometimes, there will be more bullets on screen at a time. During one boss battle, you can expect some "Giga Wing" moments.

Sidez, I'm in agreeance on that first level. In fact, the whole game doesn't seem as intense as a typical R-Type. On top of that, the music is not quite as good as in R-Type Delta.

I've got a feeling that Border Down will blow RTF out of the water. I'm a little disappointed.

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Originally posted by Kenshin Himura
I've got a feeling that Border Down will blow RTF out of the water. I'm a little disappointed.

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Your feeling is correct, Border Down is really good.

Is Border Down out yet?

In arcades, yes.

September for home for Border Down. It's probably too late to get the limited edition, though, but then again all you seem to be getting for your extra $20-$30 is a soundtrack.

That's it for the AI mode? I was under the impression you trained your ship to fight through the levels, which I think could have been really fun to do if implemented well. Damn...

Buying it anyway when it hits, and still searching for R-Type Delta.

James

Hmmmm...I'm still going to remain optimistic. Unlocking ships should keep the game in good rotation even if the core game isn't the greatest..I should hope anyway.

My main worry with the game was the huge number of extra ships. Shooters tend to be as balanced as good fighters and throwing 49 ships into the fray seemed extensive and a move that could alter the game balance.

Still a definite purchase when it hits here, if only to play the last R-Type. *-neo

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Originally posted by neoalphazero
My main worry with the game was the huge number of extra ships. Shooters tend to be as balanced as good fighters and throwing 49 ships into the fray seemed extensive and a move that could alter the game balance.

Still a definite purchase when it hits here, if only to play the last R-Type. *-neo

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There are a hundred ships, actually. From what I've read it does seem to knock the balance all over the place, but with so many it's hard for it not to.

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Originally posted by Sidez
Your feeling is correct, Border Down is really good.

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You know, I've been eagerly anticipating Border Down, but I never expected it to come out better than R-Type Final. But I guess BD came out a bit better than its legacy, and RTF a bit short.

One thing I find interesting is that you get the option to switch fighters after a stage ends.

That mothership battle has the best BGM in the whole game IMO. Later in that stage, there's a spot where you can trash a couple of buildings.

Turning the Force loose and letting it tickle larger enemies builds the DOSE meter up like mad- and it helps your score.

EDIT: I stand corrected on the number of stages- there are at least 6. Stage 6 is a damn good one with a real R-Type level of challenge to it. Too bad stage 1 is so lacking.

RTF is starting to grow on me some more.

I've gotten a review of R-Type Final written up. Here's the link to it with 7 screen shots- click on thumbnails to see the images.

Thanks for the review. Good stuff.
Sure hope they fix the slowdown for America, but I'm highly doubtful. Does Irem suck with PS2 engines or something? Disaster Report also had crippling slowdown -- some of the worst I've ever encountered.

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Originally Posted by Ammadeau

There are a hundred ships, actually. From what I've read it does seem to knock the balance all over the place, but with so many it's hard for it not to.

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Some ships are upgrades. (like Shooting Star->Morning Star->Grace Note) What might sem impossible with a certain ship may depend on which version of you have. :)

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Originally Posted by Sidez

My friend Cacophanus is a huge R-Type fan and has completed the game but seems to only like half the stages. There's also a bit of slowdown and one of the two last stages is pure garbage.

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Where is that pretentious bastard, anyway? He hasn't posted in months.

Anyway, this is a disappointment, but I was never that interested in the game. Border Down and Gradius V should be much better.

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Originally Posted by Seven Force

Some ships are upgrades. (like Shooting Star->Morning Star->Grace Note) What might sem impossible with a certain ship may depend on which version of you have. :)

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I like using the TX-T in stage 6 myself. That ship has one nice "grenade" styled Beam shot, and its blue Force weapon comes in handy. Most of the time I'll use the R-9A.

You have to use the R9-A3! It has three levels of beam as opposed to the R9-A's two.

saw the first 3 levels of the game being played today, looked great. good music, great style on a lot of the enemys, and awesome backrounds.

dunno what you guys were talking about when you guys said it didn't look nice.

gameplay seemed alright too. nothing special, but it seemed to hold up.

Well graphically the rotating backgrounds and patterns are a bit weird sometimes. Like a winamp plugin.

I just wish there were only 8 ships at most and arcade roots. I doubt the first level would be so conservative if the game had started on Naomi.

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Originally Posted by Lucas Barton

saw the first 3 levels of the game being played today, looked great. good music, great style on a lot of the enemys, and awesome backrounds.

dunno what you guys were talking about when you guys said it didn't look nice.

gameplay seemed alright too. nothing special, but it seemed to hold up.

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It does look nice, but the first stage sorta let me down (too many gaps in the action there) and the overall wavery effect in stage 5 drove me a tad bonkers- I'd rather have had only the background be wavering in stage 5.

Stage 6 is my favorite one of the whole game. The boss battle has an interesting spin on it- you will go right inside Gomander (that 2nd stage boss of the original R-Type) and blow it up from the inside out).

did anybody get a dog tag with the game? mines came with the r9 ray dog tag any body else lucked out?

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Originally Posted by Sidez

I doubt the first level would be so conservative if the game had started on Naomi.

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Yeah it's not usually a good sign when an arcade series switches to console. Can work though (Gradius Gaiden). I still have high hoped for Gradius V since from what I hear it doesn't pussy out on the difficulty.

Yeah, but delta was brilliant, and it was only for the PSX.

JM

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Originally Posted by 5thlion

did anybody get a dog tag with the game? mines came with the r9 ray dog tag any body else lucked out?

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I got the R9-A3 (ladylove) one.

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Originally Posted by 5thlion

did anybody get a dog tag with the game? mines came with the r9 ray dog tag any body else lucked out?

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My copy of RTF didn't come with one. :( Drat.

Found a pretty funny R-type (and DDP Dai-ou-jou, a stage 1 dot eater movie is up among other things) site, Link.

Nothing spectacular but the mix of shmups and hentai is pretty funny if nothing else.

Wow, that link is EXTREMELY work unfriendly.

JM

With the obvious exception of working in a porn factory.

http://ebgames.com/ebx_assets/product_images/240844.jpg

Release Date: February 3, 2004

Price: $29.99

I could do without that retarded yellow border but its coming out via Fresh so I won't complain too much about it.

Yay for low pricing!

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Originally Posted by Spike

http://ebgames.com/ebx_assets/product_images/240844.jpg

Release Date: February 3, 2004

Price: $29.99

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You made my day. :sonic:

Now if you'll excuse me, even though I already knew date/price I'm still off to do the Happy Happy Joy Joy dance. :D

Good cover, but it'd be better without the yellow bars. The yellow bars/white background combo just don't look that good together. Maybe a rich sky blue?

James

looking forward to it big time. i liked what i saw quite a bit, and im looking forward to checking out that music again.

seriously, if you like shmups, the gameplay isn't gonna blow your socks off or anything, but it holds up. it's definitely worth getting for the aesthetics alone. game has awesome style.

I like that cover, yellow and all. Must pre-order.

Well it looks like Gradius got bumped back to April, so might as well...

It's nice that RTF is coming out here. I have to agree with Will about the packshot's border, but the cover art is otherwise nice.

Gradius V is pushed back to April 6? Damn. Oh well, there's still more time to pound on Gradius Gaiden and Galaxies.

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Originally Posted by Spike

http://ebgames.com/ebx_assets/product_images/240844.jpg

Release Date: February 3, 2004

Price: $29.99

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:) :D :lol:

I played the demo last night.

Totally a must buy at 30 bones.

Finally got to play it. Can't wait for this to come out in english. I'd import it this instant, but there is an entire museum and history library of all RType information on all of the fighters, weapons, bits, bombs, Bydo, and more.

There is also, and this is wild, a Ship Vs Ship combat mode. I had a brief heart attack of coolness when my giddy friend and I thought we could play head to head in a shooter duel with life meters. We were right about the life meters, wrong about the head to head. Apparently, you can program the AI for your ship, and have it fight other AIs (including your friends, should he bring over his memory card).

The whole thing looks and plays like a love letter to all Irem and RType fans though. The music, graphics, and sheer ludicrous number of unlockable RType/Irem ships is just amazing. Tons of nice little details too.

It's still an RType game (that is, Butthard-Type), but its fun, and pretty, and cool.

I'll happily grab this on release day.

Likewise, im hoping they change the box art though, the yellow is real kakacrap but I'm not sure i'd like this better http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-1a-78-...e-91--77-1.jpg

I think I'd take the white over the yellow borders... Anyways, played a demo of this, and I agree with it being pretty hard, but I'll probably get it when it does arrive.

Both boxes are fine, just gimmie the game.

A bump for the thread since this comes out tommorrow.

Still pissed they didn't include the submarine from In The Hunt, though.

IGN: 8.1
Gamespot: 8.1
Gamespy: 3/5

All three basically agree that Final doesn't match the brilliance of Delta, but it's still a grand and fitting way for the series to conclude, and definitely worth it for series fans.

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Originally Posted by BioMechanic

IGN: 8.1
Gamespot: 8.1
Gamespy: 3/5

All three basically agree that Final doesn't match the brilliance of Delta, but it's still a grand and fitting way for the series to conclude, and definitely worth it for series fans.

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GMR also gave it 9/10, and I think Game Informer gave it an 8.

The search feature sucks ass, but I remember EGM liked it too.

.nevermind

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Originally Posted by Roufuss

A bump for the thread since this comes out tommorrow.

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Tomorrow (2/3), or Wednesday (2/4)? I think it's just shipping tomorrow.

I'm definitely getting this game! :D

Yeah, it's a Wednesday thing unless you luck out. I'll just be pacing impatiently until then.

James

Respect for GMR +1

hey everyone, havent posted awhile.

posting today since rtype final is the first game ive been excited about enough to want to buy in 6 months or so .. heh, im not in it like i used to be. thats what school and work and girl did to me.

but anyway, i cant wait to get this tommorow as shooters are all i play anymore - Einhander, Ikaruga, Gradius 3 and 4 and Thunderforce 5 have been on constant rotation lately.

what is Border Down ? i havent heard about this one, but like i said i dont keep up on news to much anymore, i'd appreciate some info if someone could give me a run down on that and Gradius 5, which i didnt know till now was coming out.

cheers everyone.

I was shocked today. My friends know about R-type Final. Maybe not for the right reasons, but hell, they're aware of its existence. OK, just about everyone at my school has a TI-83 claculators, and we all spend lots of time playing games on it. There's Tetris, and a really great proto-shmup called Phoenix. One of the games is called R-type. However, it bares no real resemblance to the actual thing. It's a small ship dodging rocks, and nothing but rocks, in a side-scrolling environment. It's not that great, but it's good for some brainless distraction in Math Class. Anyway, during one of my free blocks, I had my calculator was out, and a friend of mine grabbed it and started playing R-type. Another friend was looking over his shoulder, and a little conversation got started.

The guy who wasn't playing made some sort of comment like "Hey, you know they're making a new version of this game?!" He said it disbelievingly, and I responded, "Yeah, R-type Final." So he starts talking about it: "Yeah, it's got 3D graphics." I quickly pointed out that the gameplay was still 2D. The guy who was playing, and obviously not listening to our conversation, chimed in with "Hey, I heard there's a PS2 version of this game." So I start talking about it, and mention the word "shmup." They look at me like I'm "special" (as always happens when I say "shmup"). I explained it was short for shoot-em-up. They were suprised, because they didn't even know that shooting was involved. They had no knowledge of R-type beyond the calculator.

So, yeah, not the most knowledgable discussion of the R-type franchise, but at least there's some awareness among the mainstream. Too bad both of them stared blankly at me when I mentioned Gradius V. If only someone would program a game called Gradius for a graphing calculator.

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Originally Posted by LittleEric

I'd appreciate some info if someone could give me a run down on that and Gradius 5, which i didnt know till now was coming out.

cheers everyone.

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Gradius 5 is the single most gorgeous game made by god's hands. Look at screenshots, quick.

Added a link for the lazy: http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/g...reenindex.html

the gamestop guy in my area said this was due tomorrow, 2/4/04...

then he asked me what kind of game it was.. and i cried a little bit inside.

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Originally Posted by johnk_

the gamestop guy in my area said this was due tomorrow, 2/4/04...

then he asked me what kind of game it was.. and i cried a little bit inside.

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I'll cry too when I'm the only person in my EB who will buy this game, ever.

alpha: they look like you like you're a loser. Stop using words like that immediately.

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Originally Posted by Mzo

Gradius 5 is the single most gorgeous game made by god's hands. Look at screenshots, quick.

Added a link for the lazy: http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/g...reenindex.html

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appreciated. been hearing about a "new" gradius but didnt see it till now.

Shmup shmup shmup shmup shmup. Sounds like a sound effect you'd get from a shambling swamp zombie.

R-Type Final will sell where I work, if nowhere else. I'll be ramming this down people's throats all month. :)

James

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Originally Posted by Dragonmaster Dyne

appreciated. been hearing about a "new" gradius but didnt see it till now.

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Looks like recycled Radiant Silvergun design....hmmm.....

Treasure should re-release Radiant and Guardian Heroes with a full makeover...in a double pack...for $19.99, and release it stateside first. Screw Gradius.

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Originally Posted by diffusionx

alpha: they look like you like you're a loser. Stop using words like that immediately.

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The word shmup should have never of been invented, and as such, it should never, ever, be spoken aloud.

I don't get paid until next Friday.


This saddens me.

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Originally Posted by Regus

The word shmup should have never of been invented, and as such, it should never, ever, be spoken aloud.

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Agreed. I can't stand that term.

Got it today, and I was surprised when the clerk at EBGames told me that alot of people had been calling for it, but no one preordered so they only got in 4-5 copies, and I got copy #3 I think. At least there's demand for this game, somewhere.

I'll be playing it later tonight, I can't fucking wait.

BUT NO IN THE HUNT SUBMARINE WTF!!! :curse: :curse:

Shmup sounds like someone cussing. WHAT THE SHMUP?!?

I never said that word aloud, nor am I about to start. There's no excuse for that type of nonsense.

fyi, rtype is in the Fry's ad for 19.99 starting tomorrow

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Originally Posted by Roufuss

Got it today, and I was surprised when the clerk at EBGames told me that alot of people had been calling for it, but no one preordered so they only got in 4-5 copies, and I got copy #3 I think. At least there's demand for this game, somewhere.

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Surely there is. I've secured my copy of R-Type Final, and I know at least two other people personally who got it today. ;)

I played it for a few hours at work today.

What the hell does the ship with the camera bombs do? It says it collects data. WTF does that mean?

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Originally Posted by Korly

I played it for a few hours at work today.

What the hell does the ship with the camera bombs do? It says it collects data. WTF does that mean?

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Maybe it opens data on enemy ships for use or viewing in the musuem? *-neo

The game is pretty good, so far, I'm too tired to write a review when there are plenty up to look at and this game has been talked about on here for awhile. I'll put up one tommorrow. Plus I've only played two levels, heh.

On a surprising note though, 4 ships have to be opened with passwords, and they say find them on various Eidos websites. I thought I'd be smart, go to GameFAQ's, and use the passwords already found for the japanese release... Eidos changed the passwords :curse:

Time to scrounge around on Playfresh.com looking for a password....

The amount of ships and weapons though is pretty awesome.

SPOILER EDIT!!! Roufuss saves the day, with the passwords for ships no. 3 and 24.... taking from GameFAQ's message boards...



3 - 5270 0725 24 - 2078 0278

Thanks! I'll try those when I get to work today.

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Originally Posted by neoalphazero

Maybe it opens data on enemy ships for use or viewing in the musuem? *-neo

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Yup, the more you use that ship against enemys, you will open up several screenshots of the enemy & an info log.

Too bad the ship sucks really hard.

Played for a good long while last night. The boss of the 4th stage is the devil, I know what I need to do, but those bulb things are so damn random.

I think I've got 9 ships open now. Are those passwords only on Edios websites? If they aren't found in the game I won't feel bad about getting them here.

JM

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Originally Posted by JM

I think I've got 9 ships open now. Are those passwords only on Edios websites? If they aren't found in the game I won't feel bad about getting them here.

JM

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Yep, the hints for the 2 ships say "Can be found at playfresh.com...." and "Can be found at Eidos.com..." I just said fuck it, and waited a little bit and someone finally put em up at GameFAQ's. There's two more password ships, and I'm hoping someone else can crack the code by the time I get them (because they changed the passwords from the jpn release).

I tried to find those first two codes for about 30 minutes, I even tried registering for the site but I couldn't, so I just said fuck it. I recommend just using the codes, because Lady Love is an awesome awesome ship.

Why they should never leave me to my own devices at work- R-Type Final in the demo machine. :)

James

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Originally Posted by diffusionx

I never said that word aloud, nor am I about to start. There's no excuse for that type of nonsense.

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it is an abbreviation... so yea it is not ment to be said aloud... Then again neither is Net or SNES....

Man I need to get paid now! This will be mine next Friday (if I can wait that long).

The Dark Mastercard tempts me so....

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Originally Posted by JM

Played for a good long while last night. The boss of the 4th stage is the devil, I know what I need to do, but those bulb things are so damn random.

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Oh my. Wait till you hit boss #5. ;)

For #4, set your speed to max and just dodge like hell. The more body parts you can kill the less it can shoot at you, though you really only need to kill the central brain to win. The tentacle force is pretty good at wailing on it remotely when detached.

What ships do you guys favor? I go with the Andromulius (SP?) because the auto seeking force pod can be such a help. Another one that I have been using is the Tear Shower, its Vulcan wave cannon seems to be head & shoulders above the others in terms of strength, Two of its fully charged shots will take out the first form of the 4th boss.

JM

I just use whatever ship I need flight time with to unlock other ships. There is a very good ship unlocking FAQ at GameFAQs that lets you know which ships you have to use to unlock others. I'm currently logging an hour a half into the TX-T.

The import version had an invincibility code that let you fly through the stage without playing, thus logging easy flight time. Eidos seems to have removed that from the whitey version, for better or worse. Some of the later ships have stupid-high flight time requirements ... several or more hours. Consider that my R-Type Delta save file only has 15 hours logged, and I love that game ... :p

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Originally Posted by James

Why they should never leave me to my own devices at work- R-Type Final in the demo machine. :)

James

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Amen brotha!

I played that game at work today for over 5 hours (I worked 13 hours though. Which sucked.). I think I have 30 or so ships unlocked now.

One is a cute little helicopter that shoots fireworks. :)

I'm buying this game on my lunch break tomorrow... officially making it the first game since Viewtiful Joe that is worth my money.

Picked it up last night, and it's damn good.

Does anyone know what the deal is with "Auto Save"?

When I saved the first time it said something like "Auto save is now enabled." So I figured everything was ok, and later turned it off losing 2 hours of play.

Is there a way to turn on Auto Save or does it have to be done manually?

The instructions tell you to save manually before leaving. I didn't notice any auto-save comment on my game, and I think I'll just use sheer paranoia to avoid losing any unlocked ships at this point. Not that I've been able to play much yet. -sigh-

James

For anyone who dosen't own it, Agetec is selling R-Type Delta on their website for ps one for only 29.99... sure beats the 40 dollar prices on Ebay for it.

I'm actually thinking that if they ever DO make another R-Type game, it's gonna be a disappointment.

Having over 100 ships is too fuckin' cool, and I'm sure any future installments would go back to having just a few ships. Maybe if they just re-released this game with new levels or something, that'd be cool.

The Duckbill series of ships is too fucking cool. Not only are they cute, but the pow armor ship is a powerhouse. The force bits are really powerful when fully powered up & launched off, that spinning shot makes level 5 much easer.

Skelly: Yes, I have ammended my opinion, the Level 5 boss is the devil. The fucking distortion effect on the screen makes it about 25% harder than it would be normally. I really hate that, & would kill for the option to turn that shit off.

I'm up to 25 ships now, with Ladylove, POW armor & the upgraded Tentacle Force ship being my favorites.

Does anyone have the R-13 from Delta(grappling force) yet? That is easily my favorite R•Type ship & I can't wait to fool around with some upgradded versions.

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Originally Posted by Roufuss

For anyone who dosen't own it, Agetec is selling R-Type Delta on their website for ps one for only 29.99... sure beats the 40 dollar prices on Ebay for it.

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If anyone doesn't own Delta & buys R•Type Final over it, you should be slapped. Final is great & pretty & has tons of ships, but in terms of solid level design & balanced gameplay, Delta shits all over Final.

JM

My EB hasn't gotten this game in yet, dammit. I'd go elsewhere, except I reserved & already paid in full.

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Originally Posted by roufuss

For anyone who dosen't own it, Agetec is selling R-Type Delta on their website for ps one for only 29.99... sure beats the 40 dollar prices on Ebay for it.

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I put through a dummy order because I was curious (I already have it) and was charged $7 shipping in addition to tax (I live in CA, agetec's in CA), so it still comes out to $40. A great deal for a new copy, though.

Odd, I went to eb yesterday and they had their display copy mixed in at the bottom with all the older titles, the ones where only the neck of the case shows. I guess because of it's price the employee thought it was an older title. I almost bought it but $$$ tight right now so I held off... wow self control is getting better.

D

Yay, my copy's finally here. Looking forward to dishing out some Bydo pain.

Tell me about control, D. January was an awful month for the finances. If I hadn't already paid off Final, I'd have had to wait till mid-March to pick it up. I've had to pass on a lot of stuff....I still don't have BG&E, FF: Crimson Butterfly, PoP, Culdcept.......

It's $30. Just get it.

Picked this up today.

Awesome game, only other experience I've had with R-type was 1 & 2 and the gbc version. Absolutely love the ability to change speeds midgame without any powerups or bullshit.

Yes, that is a lesson gradius needs to learn in the worst way.

JM

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Originally Posted by JM

Skelly: Yes, I have ammended my opinion, the Level 5 boss is the devil. The fucking distortion effect on the screen makes it about 25% harder than it would be normally. I really hate that, & would kill for the option to turn that shit off.

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That effect does look cool on the background. Irem should have went Darius Gaiden with it though- applying it to the background only, while leaving the player's ship and enemies undistorted. As things are, it's like trying to play the game drunk. Consequently, 5 is my least favorite stage of the game- even weaker than 1, IMO. Now stage 6 is kickass.

One of my favorite ships would have to be the TX-T Eclipse. The beam laser's grenade effect can go through terrain.

What determines if you advance to 2.1 or 2.2 over 2.0? The levels I mean.

I know for sure that the time I went to 2.1 for the first time, I did not die at all in 1.o, but I'm not really sure if that's the reason. It also could be because I got the high score on 1.0, but who knows.