Update: September 20, 2007
«©NCSX» In the original R-Type game which was originally released in 1987, players struck at the heart of the Bydo Empire by maneuvering a versatile ship known as the R-9a Arrowhead. By bolting on a powerful accessory called the "Force" which was a weapon amplifier, the R-9a was able to single handedly wreck entire Bydo swarms and gargantuan bosses. R-Type went on to become a legend in its own time and spawned numerous sequels. In 2003, Irem shipped R-Type Final and told the market to take the game title literally. It would be the conclusive R-Type shooter.

So far, Irem has kept true to its word and there hasn't been any new R-Type shooters in the past few years. When we spied R-Type Tactics in the preorder listings a few months ago, we figured that some form of R-Type would be better than none. With our quick play-through of the game this morning, we're enjoying the tactical action but we would have loved a hidden original R-Type game bonus somewhere. Alas, there's nothing that we've found so far although there's a nifty Gallery Mode, a Movie Mode, and an Online Battle Mode for two players to link up and do the tactical battle versus thing.

As the game title suggests, R-Type Tactics is all about strategy and tactical maneuvering where squadrons of R-Type ships and a UFCS-05 Cargo Ship are marshaled into theaters of combat. In the first level, the ships are standard issue fighters such as the R-9B1 and the Rwf-9A but more exotic ships and constructs may be used in later missions.

Bonus R-9A Arrowhead Toy
Most of our customer preorders for R-Type Tactics will include a bonus R-9A Arrowhead toy that's packaged in a collectible box. Some assembly is required and a Force weapon accessory is included. Both the Arrowhead and Force can be mounted on an included pedestal with transparent attachments. It's a lovely gift from Irem and something we'll cherish forever. Please note that we are sold out of the R-Type Tactics game today but our restock shipment of R-Type Tactics scheduled for next week will also include the bonus Arrowhead toy. Orders placed now will ship once we restock.

Jan Code: 4536592000501

View the back cover and screenshots on the main NCSX website.

NEW GAME: Strike at the heart of the Bydo Empire in tactical theaters of war which start in Earth orbit and then expands outwards.
ONLINE BATTLE: Link up with another player through the internet for a one-on-one tactical battle
OPTION: Toggle BGM, load and save data, and set some other game modifiers.
RECORDS: View saved stats and information on some units in the game such as the UFCS-05 and the R-0B1.
GALLERY: Inspect 32 CG stills from the game; two are available at the outset and the rest require unlocking
MOVIE: View the intro movie and two other cinemas from the game (the other two must be unlocked)
HELP: Check out information on the game and read the FAQ which contains six questions and answers

» After starting a new game, you'll have to add the available ships to your roster and then move them to the active battalion list. Once that's done, you'll have a UFCS-05 Cargo Ship on the first page of your actives and the following on the second page: two Rwf-9As, a R9B1, a R-E1, and a TP-02C.

» After positioning your squadron on the appointed grid array, press the TRIANGLE button and select the UFCS-05 and the strategic drama begins. The first battle pits your ships against two squadrons of R-E1s, a squadron of Rwf-9As, a TP-02C, a powerful F-A unit, and the enemy's own UFCS-05 cargo ship. The UFCS-05 is a very useful ship because it regenerates HP, replenishes lost ships, and supplies ammunition. As an added bonus, the UFCS-05 can attack enemy units with a volley of laser fire.

» In addition to attacking the enemy ships, your prerogative is to protect the UFCS-05 since it is the lifeblood of each mission and from which all things flow. If the UFCS-05 is destroyed, it's game over. Conversely, you'll win the first battle if you destroy the enemy's UFCS-05.

» Movement is akin to other tactical battle games. Select a unit to move and a lighted grid appears which shows the range of movement. When adjacent to an enemy or close enough to fire long-range missiles, an attack option will also appear on the available options for the active ship. To end your turn after all units have been moved, push the cursor onto empty space and press the "O" button. Select the last selection and press "O" again to give the enemy a chance to move its units.

» If an enemy squadron shoots a charged up mega-blast and one of their own is in the way of the fire, their own guys will be destroyed in a fit of friendly fire.

» Each squadron is made up of five ships which attack in concert. Each attack is accompanied by a short animated sequence which shows a volley of fire being shot by the attacker and then the consequent impact of the blast on the enemy units. Targeted ships can also evade oncoming fire or counterattack with missiles.

» Similar to the Super Robot Wars games, each encounter can be lengthy and take up to an hour or more to complete.

» The quickest way to finish the first mission is by concentrating your units on the enemy's UFCS-05. Note that the R-9B1 does massive damage with its missiles and we recommend using it against the UFCS for a powerful first strike and then rallying the other ships against it to finish it off. After completing the first mission successfully, a new image is added to the Gallery and you'll start the second mission with two mighty F-A units at your disposal.

» The third mission introduces the concept of "fog of war" along with rocky obstacles that may be blasted to make way through a mountain area.

» The Bwf-1Dá regenerates 1 unit every 1 turn. The Rr2o-3 units that are unlocked in the fourth level can "heal" other units. Watch out for the Bh-Tb01 mech in the fourth level which can do a lot of damage with its missile attacks. We faced off against it in the upper quadrant of the level where it decimated a few of our ships before we sent the F-D against it.

» Irem boasts that 101 R ships from the R-Type series are featured in the game along with appearances from pretty much every single enemy type. As you make your way through the first few levels, familiar enemies from the original R-Type (1987) game are faced off successively as your squadron makes its way across the solar system.

This document is ©NCSX 2007. All rights reserved. No reproduction in whole or in part of this document may be made without express written consent of National Console Support, Inc.