R-Type Final 2

“Compared to the magnum opus of the series that was R-Type Final, R-Type Final 2 serves more as an epilogue that maintains how solid the series still is. The level design and combat feel just as good as in past games, with a level of challenge that'll test those who have cut their teeth on modern bullet-hell shooters. The number of unlockable ships and the processes needed to do so will make players spend more time with this than most other titles in the genre, and that'll make up for the lack of extras like online scoreboards. Despite having a few issues in presentation and a rather annoying l”

“R-Type Final 2 is a solid attempt at bringing back the classic series to more modern times. The R9 itself plays very well and boss fights can be hot and hectic. The level design, however, can be hit or miss and the lack of adequate separation from the background and foreground can lead to some unexpected deaths. That being said, R-Type 2 feels like an R-Type game, even if it might not necessarily look like one at times. If you’re looking for an old-school style shmup that provides a tough challenge, you’ll want to pick this one up.”

“Despite how slow it is, R-Type Final 2 is still an enjoyable experience, especially for fans of the franchise”

“After an entire generation without new R-Type games, it is nice to be able to play Final 2, which has kept the main traditions of the series. The visuals are only ok and it has crazy difficulty spikes in the middle of the campaign, but the creative level design of the final stages and that feeling of finishing a difficult game compensate the slow and boring start. R-Type Final 2 is not for everyone; it is explicitly aimed at hardcore shoot ‘em ups fans, but it’s an interesting addition to the library on current consoles that lack good representatives in this genre.”

“R-Type Final 2 wears its classic shoot-‘em-up trappings on its sleeve. This was a game funded by fans of the series, and they should be happy with what’s here as R-Type Final 2 absolutely feels like a part of the venerable series. It may not be the most approachable game though, for those who don’t have nostalgic love for the series or sometimes find the genre inaccessible. There are different difficulty settings, but on any level – you will die a lot as it really does boil down to your persistence and your willingness to memorize the stages.”

“R-TYPE FINAL 2 is a great shump and a worthy series revival, but definitively feels like a WIP in some points with balancing that still needs to be done. It’s incredibly accessible though with the multiple difficulties, and it offers tight controls and fun levels to play through, along with a bunch of ships to unlock and mess with, even if the irritating material grinding makes it nowhere near as impressive as the original Final in that regard.”

“If you need a hit of nostalgia from a sci-fi shooter, then jump in the cockpit for this one. It packs the challenge but may feel a little too stuck in the arcades of old. This release is a testament to the power of a loyal fanbase. As far as side-scrollers go, it’s definitely on the money”

“At the end of the day, though, R-Type Final 2 is a game for a particular crowd, and they will most likely love it. For others, this is something to avoid unless you are a masochist and want to see how long you can play before you pull your hair out.”

“More R-Type is never a bad thing, even if it comes in a scrappy package like R-Type Final 2.”

“R-Type Final 2 is fun in bursts, but makes too many tedious choices to live up to the franchise that came before it.”

“R-Type Final 2 is sadly the classic example of form over substance. On paper, it provides fans of the beloved R-Type series what they would want in a modern sequel. In reality, it is simply an unenjoyable, below average title with little allure to wade through it.”

“If you’re looking for a tough as nails arcade shooter, R-Type Final 2 is the game of choice. The controls are tight and although not perfect, the environments are pretty enough to keep you entertained. R-Type Final 2 treads a fine line between too tough to enjoy and just hard enough to keep you coming back for more, and even on the easiest difficulty there is a steep challenge where casual players will struggle.”

“R-Type Final 2 is a throwback of shooters from 20 years ago; for premium pricing, we expect more.”

“I've played R-Type across many systems since 1987, and Final 2 is not the glorious swan song the series deserves. It's still R-Type, so fans will find some things to like, but it has flat, dull presentation and some odd design choices that diminish the shoot 'em up great.”

“R-Type Final 2 may be the starfighter’s last stand, but it exemplifies one of gaming’s greatest periods. The casual arcade gamer that loved to get their hit, but the hardcore devout that engrossed themselves in racking up their legendary stature in score placement.”

“Let’s make no mistake here, though; what we have at the time of writing is good. It’s a great R-Type game with some well-designed stages, the series’ iconic brutal but fair sense of difficulty, lots of unlockables and customisation and an absolutely banging soundtrack. It’s an excellent investment for any shoot ’em up fan — particularly if you’re a longstanding fan of R-Type — and it’s worth your time. It will be interesting to see how it develops from hereon, for sure.”

“If you are a fan of your space shooters R-Type Final 2 is well worth picking up. But be warned its unforgiving and wave-like difficulty curves will not work for everyone. If you’re on the fence about it, there is a free demo on the e-store I highly recommend trying it first. Once I got over the initial steep learning curve I grew quite fond of this nifty space shooter. R-Type Final 2 reminds us that things may have been difficult back in the day for gaming. But that formula still works and will hold up for its fans today. See you next time for R-Type Final 3 maybe?”