R-Type Command
Encyclopedia
, known in North America as R-Type Command, is a turn-based strategy game/tactical role-playing game
released in 2007 in Japan
, and 2008 in the United States
and Europe
for PlayStation Portable
. The main part of the game consists of two consecutive campaigns, in which the player controls first the forces of Earth, then the Bydo Empire. The game also supports multiplayer combat via Wi-Fi
.
The gameplay is structured as a typical mission-based tactical role-playing game, but retains many of the specific traits of the R-Type series.
The side-scrolling nature of the R-Type series is preserved in R-Type Command. Most levels are structured as in a side-scrolling shooter, with the player's units and the objective on opposite sides of the field. Units cannot change facing, which has an important impact on gameplay, as certain attacks can only be performed in one direction. Like other turn-based strategy games, the playing field is also divided into hexagons with varying effects.
Support units range from large carrier ships to maintenance units as well as the Force units, well-known from other games in the R-Type series.
Force units can either be controlled separately or they can be attached to the R-series fighters. Attached Forces function as a unidirectional shield while providing the fighter with stronger attacks. When not attached, a Force is an independent unit that can be used as a tank
.
As in other R-Type titles, the TP-02C POW armor functions as a supply unit. It is also used for capturing in-game locations such as space stations.
The Rr2o-3 has a similar function to the TP-02C but has the added ability to repair friendly units or to mine asteroids for minerals called Solonium, Etherium, and Bydogen which are needed in the production of new units, especially Forces. Certain units on the human side can also extract Bydogen from Bydo units.
In the initial single-player campaign, the player is freshly commissioned into the Space Corps, which is steadily losing engagements against an alien race called the Bydo. After completing initial training, the player is ordered to investigate an outpost in Mars that has reportedly lost contact. As the Space Corps fleet advances outside the Solar System, the player is able to recruit more pilots. Through a warp-gate station outside Pluto, the player's fleet travels through a hyperspace warp
called the Tesseract to the Bydo's star system.
In the final battle located in the Bydo homeworld, the player encounters remains of Space Corps ships that were defeated in previous campaigns. The player eventually defeats the Bydo's core but it is a Pyrrhic victory
, as the core opens a black hole that grapples the entire fleet and assimilates them in a large surge of slime. Completing this campaign would unlock the Bydo campaign.
As the Bydo campaign begins, the player-character awakens from a deep slumber, now absorbed as one of the aliens. As he fights his way out of the Bydo star system, this time against his old comrades in the Space Corps, he begins to further understand the origins of the Bydo.
However, despite fighting all the way to Earth and defeating the Space Corps' home defense forces, the player-character is forced to admit that even if he or she is from Earth, the fact that he is in a Bydo fleet drives home the reality that he is no longer welcome. The ending video shows the Bydo forces escaping Earth in the midst of a fierce Space Corps counterattack.
PSP Vol.8. It includes Mission A-1, A-2, B stages. In addition, a demo is available for download on the NTSC-U region on the Playstation Network.
Preorders for the North American version of the game featured a small black pre-painted gashapon
model of the R-9A Arrowhead fighter which required some assembly. The kit had the fighter itself,the Force system and bits, plus a display stand.
was released for the PSP and PSPgo on December 10, 2009 in Japan in both retail
and download
forms.
Tactical role-playing game
A tactical role-playing game is a type of video game which incorporates elements of traditional role-playing video games and strategy games. In Japan these games are known as , a designation which might seem peculiar to native English speakers...
released in 2007 in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, and 2008 in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
for PlayStation Portable
PlayStation Portable
The is a handheld game console manufactured and marketed by Sony Corporation Development of the console was announced during E3 2003, and it was unveiled on , 2004, at a Sony press conference before E3 2004...
. The main part of the game consists of two consecutive campaigns, in which the player controls first the forces of Earth, then the Bydo Empire. The game also supports multiplayer combat via Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi or Wifi, is a mechanism for wirelessly connecting electronic devices. A device enabled with Wi-Fi, such as a personal computer, video game console, smartphone, or digital audio player, can connect to the Internet via a wireless network access point. An access point has a range of about 20...
.
The gameplay is structured as a typical mission-based tactical role-playing game, but retains many of the specific traits of the R-Type series.
Gameplay
R-Type Command has 58 levels, through which the player navigates an army of R-Type space fighters and support units, fighting the enemy forces of the Bydo.The side-scrolling nature of the R-Type series is preserved in R-Type Command. Most levels are structured as in a side-scrolling shooter, with the player's units and the objective on opposite sides of the field. Units cannot change facing, which has an important impact on gameplay, as certain attacks can only be performed in one direction. Like other turn-based strategy games, the playing field is also divided into hexagons with varying effects.
Units
R-Type Command features the opposing armies of the Earth Space Corps and the Bydo. The player will be able to access more than 100 different units, including many of the R-series fighters from the other R-Type games. Each fighter has unique abilities such as sub-space movement and a distinct set of attacks. During the game, the player acquires abilities enabling new units and upgrades to existing units to be purchased for his army. Furthermore, new units can be acquired by capturing certain objectives in levels, such as derelict space stations and starbases.Support units range from large carrier ships to maintenance units as well as the Force units, well-known from other games in the R-Type series.
Force units can either be controlled separately or they can be attached to the R-series fighters. Attached Forces function as a unidirectional shield while providing the fighter with stronger attacks. When not attached, a Force is an independent unit that can be used as a tank
Tank (computer gaming)
A tank is a style of character in gaming, often associated with a character class. A common convention in real-time strategy games, role-playing games, MMORPGs and MUDs, tanks redirect enemy attacks and/or attention toward themselves in order to protect other characters or units...
.
As in other R-Type titles, the TP-02C POW armor functions as a supply unit. It is also used for capturing in-game locations such as space stations.
The Rr2o-3 has a similar function to the TP-02C but has the added ability to repair friendly units or to mine asteroids for minerals called Solonium, Etherium, and Bydogen which are needed in the production of new units, especially Forces. Certain units on the human side can also extract Bydogen from Bydo units.
Plot
The game's narrative is viewed from the perspective of the player-character, who's an officer in Earth's defense forces, called the Space Corps, in the year MC 0065. Various entries in a journal also flesh out the plot.- Space Corps
In the initial single-player campaign, the player is freshly commissioned into the Space Corps, which is steadily losing engagements against an alien race called the Bydo. After completing initial training, the player is ordered to investigate an outpost in Mars that has reportedly lost contact. As the Space Corps fleet advances outside the Solar System, the player is able to recruit more pilots. Through a warp-gate station outside Pluto, the player's fleet travels through a hyperspace warp
Hyperspace (science fiction)
Hyperspace is a plot device sometimes used in science fiction. It is typically described as an alternative region of space co-existing with our own universe which may be entered using an energy field or other device...
called the Tesseract to the Bydo's star system.
In the final battle located in the Bydo homeworld, the player encounters remains of Space Corps ships that were defeated in previous campaigns. The player eventually defeats the Bydo's core but it is a Pyrrhic victory
Pyrrhic victory
A Pyrrhic victory is a victory with such a devastating cost to the victor that it carries the implication that another such victory will ultimately cause defeat.-Origin:...
, as the core opens a black hole that grapples the entire fleet and assimilates them in a large surge of slime. Completing this campaign would unlock the Bydo campaign.
- Bydo Empire
As the Bydo campaign begins, the player-character awakens from a deep slumber, now absorbed as one of the aliens. As he fights his way out of the Bydo star system, this time against his old comrades in the Space Corps, he begins to further understand the origins of the Bydo.
However, despite fighting all the way to Earth and defeating the Space Corps' home defense forces, the player-character is forced to admit that even if he or she is from Earth, the fact that he is in a Bydo fleet drives home the reality that he is no longer welcome. The ending video shows the Bydo forces escaping Earth in the midst of a fierce Space Corps counterattack.
Demo version
A demo version was included with FamitsuFamitsu
is a line of Japanese video game magazines published by Enterbrain, Inc. and Tokuma. Currently, there are five Famitsū magazines: Shūkan Famitsū, Famitsū PS3 + PSP, Famitsū Xbox 360, Famitsū Wii+DS, and Famitsū Wave DVD...
PSP Vol.8. It includes Mission A-1, A-2, B stages. In addition, a demo is available for download on the NTSC-U region on the Playstation Network.
Full version
The Japanese version of the game, R-Type Tactics, was released on September 26, 2007.Preorders for the North American version of the game featured a small black pre-painted gashapon
Gashapon
is a Bandai brand trademark widely used throughout the world for their capsule toys. It is also referred to as ." Both gashapon and gachapon are Japanese onomatopoeia, made up of two sounds: "gasha" or "gacha" for the turning of a crank on a toy vending machine, and "pon" for the sound of the toy...
model of the R-9A Arrowhead fighter which required some assembly. The kit had the fighter itself,the Force system and bits, plus a display stand.
Toys
Toy manufacturer A-Label also released standard and black versions of the Arrowhead as part of its Madou Gokin line. Only 2,000 copies of the standard version were produced, while a Benables custom red version is also available. A Rwf-9D Shooting Star fighter is also scheduled for release in March 2011.Critical response
The game received above-average reviews. At the high end, Destructoid gave the game an 85% score, stating that the learning curve is not that steep and the various R-type homages are a plus, while the loss of a reconnaissance unit could make or break the game. Gamespot's 7.0 rating was attributed to the game offering a chance to play massive fleets but the loading times and the repetitive cut-scenes were a drag.Sequel
A sequel, R-Type Tactics II: Operation Bitter ChocolateR-Type Tactics II: Operation Bitter Chocolate
R-Type Tactics II: Operation Bitter Chocolate is a turn-based strategy game/tactical role-playing game released in 2009 in Japan for the PlayStation Portable game console. It is a direct sequel to 2007's R-Type Tactics...
was released for the PSP and PSPgo on December 10, 2009 in Japan in both retail
Universal Media Disc
The Universal Media Disc is an optical disc medium developed by Sony for use on their PlayStation Portable handheld gaming and multimedia platform...
and download
Digital distribution
Online distribution, digital distribution, or electronic software distribution is the practice of delivering content without the use of physical media, typically by downloading via the internet directly to a consumer's device. Online distribution bypasses conventional physical distribution media,...
forms.
External links
- Irem R-TYPE TACTICS page (Japanese)
- Atlus R-Type Command Website (English)