R-Type Reborn

Published February 2, 2009

While the bustling arcades of the late 80s are long behind us, the genres that made them such a sensation continue to live on. Xbox LIVE® Arcade in particular has become home to many of these classic genres, and this includes the side-scrolling arcade shooter.

Dodge and weave, dodge and weave.

Enter R-Type Dimensions, a recreation of both R-Type and R-Type 2 and a game that holds firm to the historical roots so loved by arcade purists, but that still manages to deftly introduce some contemporary design philosophy bringing the game up to "current gen" speed.

Download R-Type Dimensions, available on Xbox LIVE Marketplace.

2-D/3-D
Gamers often remember with great fondness the charmingly chunky 2-D sprites that made up the foundation of some of their favorite games. In a nod to just that kind of retro nostalgia, R-Type Dimensions allows you to switch at will (press Y) between the 2-D sprites and the sleeker, more beautiful 3-D visuals used to update the franchise.

And if you select the Crazy camera angle you can view the action slightly from behind, showcasing the true 3-D geometry made possible by the updated engine. This viewpoint looks slick, and adds an entirely unique feel to the proceedings.

Upgrade sighted!

Thrills, Panic, Satisfaction
No other genre quite captures the thrill of the near miss like arcade shooters. When dozens of bullets, lasers, missiles, enemies, and other obstacles surround your little ship, and somehow you manage to zig, zag, and shoot your way to safety, it can be extremely satisfying.

­R-Type Dimensions gives you this feeling as each recreated level fills every square inch of the screen with obstacles threatening to one-hit-kill your brave little ship. Just like the original games, you must quickly examine each screen to find a safe point, maneuver and shoot your way to that position, and proceed to unleash the full complement of your arsenal to move on. White-knuckle reflexes are the order of the day.

Infinite versus Classic
While the native difficulty of classic R-Type is in full effect, developer SouthEnd Interactive has seen fit to introduce a much-welcomed Infinite Mode. With instant access to infinite lives, you can power your way through the game from start to finish no matter your skill level. Of course, R-Type Dimensions does take into account just how many times you have to reach back for another life, so if you want to post a high score to be proud of, you'll still fly with the same eagerness to avoid death.

Every level completed in Infinite Mode unlocks the same level in Classic Mode. It's here hardcore purists can demonstrate their R-Type chops, flying head on into some of the hardest levels ever conceived by arcade shooters with only three available backup lives. Of course, you'll earn extra lives in due course, provided you can rack up the necessary scores.

R-Type Arsenal
While your default weapon performs admirably, the sheer volume of enemies encroaching upon you from all angles requires the use of unique abilities and upgrades.

Retro boss fights equal good times.

Chief among these is your Charge attack, which releases one of two devastating attacks depending on how long you hold down A. Or try the circular Force ship add-on which can dock on the front or rear of your ship. Use this to shield yourself from attack or jettison it outward to damage anything in its path. This is particularly useful when docked in the rear, allowing you to take out pesky enemies you've already flown by.

Of course, you'll also pick up a series of upgrades in your travels, including homing missiles, reflective lasers that bounce crazily off the environment, devastating fireballs that scorch ground units, speed increases for increased maneuverability, scatter bombs for area effect destruction, and more.

With a Friend
In the tradition of standing side-by-side at the arcade cabinet, R-Type Dimensions supports two-player cooperative play in both Infinite and Classic modes, with each life shared by both players. If you're particularly daring, turn on collision detection, making your co-op maneuvers all the more challenging as you must avoid one another in addition to the dozens of on-screen threats.

R-Type Dimensions for Xbox LIVE Arcade brings back to life a much-loved arcade classic. None of this game's infamously difficult level design has been sacrificed, but with Infinite Mode and co-op play, Dimensions offers a new level of accessibility. Prepare your thumbs, ready your reflexes and download R-Type Dimensions, available on Xbox LIVE Marketplace.

Article by Ryan Treit