R-Type Final 2 Review

Initial release date: April 30, 2021

Developer: Granzella Inc.

Designer: Kazuma Kujo

Mode: Single-player video game

Platforms: PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X and Series S, Xbox One

Publishers: Granzella Inc., NIS America, Nippon Ichi Software

"Review Copy Provided By NIS America"

The SHMUP or Shoot-em-up genre has many legendary franchises within it such as Darius, Gradius, and even the sub-genre of cute-em-ups with games like Cotton and more. All of these franchises have left their marks on gaming in some of the best ways and of all these franchises; R-Type has been the one franchise with the least amount of entries and has had some of the most monumental impacts with just 2 entries in R-Type and R-Type Final. Here we are near two decades later we have another entry in the franchise (not counting the R-Type Tactics/Command games on the psp) that is set to bring back that classic feel of the franchise and blaze some new trails. Does it succeed? Let’s find out!

R-Type Final 2 is a SHMUP that doesn’t have the screen filled with bullets all the time as its about memorization and fast reflexes and utilizing the Force Pod to protect yourself from incoming threats and using the Wave Cannon (sparingly) to take out foes. When I spoke earlier about needing fast reflexes, I was referring to is needed due to the fact that you can select multiple speeds while in game to help you maneuver around the numerous dangers of the hostile environments that you’re in.

The games graphics are done in Unreal Engine and I’ll be honest in saying that this game is not always a stellar looking game. The graphics at times are incredibly basic with the ships, enemies, and bosses all looking fairly simplistic as if this was meant for the PSP instead of the PS4 and Nintendo Switch.

If you’re looking to find out if this game has a lot of replay value then you’ll find TONS here as you’ll be replaying this game over and over and unlocking a lot of content from ship variants and more. You can develop these ships using materials that you gain from playing the game repeatedly. This game is incredibly tough but it’s the challenge of mastering and memorizing that’ll keep you coming back.

So is this game good? Yes it is especially if you loved the PS2 R-Type Final or are a fan of the SHMUP genre. For all others? Well it depends on if you want to try something new and different that is a throwback to gaming from generations ago and if you’re not into that then this wont be for you.