R-Type Final

"Simply Amazing. It's the best Horizontal Shoot'em up ever made."

Man, I'm glad I bought this import. There were rumors saying that it wouldn't come to the U.S., and that's pretty much why I bought this. But lately, I've read in EGM magazine that it'd be coming to the U.S. So, if you're an American, you may not want to chip your PS2 just yet. It'd sure suck if the U.S. didn't get a NTSC version because this game is too good. Also, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PLAY R-Type Delta before playing this. The game is easy to learn, and it's almost like a re-make of that game.

Graphics: 10/10
They're very sharp and crisp. The special effects are just so bright and colorful it'll blow your mind. Seriously, anyone who plays this can see that the developers obviously spent a hell of a lot of time on these graphics. It really compliments the gameplay well and helps make this game an unforgettable experience.

Control: 10/10
Very responsive. Every button has a function, and you'll never feel overwhelmed with it. The most important buttons are the ones that let you shoot, the ones that let you command your sidekick, and obviously the ones that let you move, such as the D-Pad. And if you feel the game is too sluggish and slow, then you can press a certain button to change the speed of your ship.

Gameplay: 10/10
The gameplay is simple and easy to learn. Just shoot, and use that sidekick ball that follows you around for help. This ball is quite unique. It's almost like a second ship in that shoots the enemies. You can also attach it to your front side or backside, which also adds a more powerful shot to your attack. You also get various power-ups like most shooters(except Radiant Silvergun and Ikaruga). And you also get 5 continues(so you can die up to ten times before you get a game over-It's a pretty forgiving game)

Music/Sound: 10/10
Nothing wrong with this area. The sound effects are great and add a lot to the experience. The music isn't the best, but at least it's better than Radiant Silvergun's terrible music.

Overall: 10/10
It's the one of the best of it's kind. If Gradius V(PS2) can topple this, then PS2 owners are in for real treat, since these might be the two best shooters ever. You must play this game. It's just so good. Even if you don't like shooters, this is still something you must try. Get it as soon as possible

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 09/15/03