R-Type Delta
| R-Type Delta | |
|---|---|
.jpg) North American cover art | |
| Developer(s) | Irem |
| Publisher(s) | |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation |
| Release | |
| Genre(s) | Shoot 'em up |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
R-Type Delta (アール・タイプ デルタ Āru Taipu Deruta) is a shoot 'em up video game developed by Irem and released for the PlayStation console in 1999. It is the fourth game in the R-Type series and the first to feature 3D graphics. The game received generally positive reviews from critics.
Gameplay
R-Type Delta is a shoot 'em up set in 2164. The game offers different fighters, with different Force and Wave Cannon combinations for the player to choose from. It also introduces the Dose System, which allows Forces to absorb energy through collisions with projectiles or enemies. Every Force has a Dose Gauge, and when the Dosage becomes 100%, the player can use the fighter's Delta Attack, a superweapon attack whose form depends on the fighter being used.
- R-9A Delta: A slight refinement of the original R9. Uses the Standard Force and an improvement over the Spiral Motion Gun that was introduced in R-Type II and used again in Super R-type for SNES, being renamed the Diffusion Wave Cannon in R-Type Final. The R9A's Delta Attack is the Nuclear Catastrophe, which fills the screen with electrical fusion. Each Dose Attack reflects the differences in each ship.
- R-X Albatross: A violet-canopied fighter with prominent wings. The Albatross uses the Tentacle Force, which has two extendable tentacles on either side and is equipped with powerful beam weapons. The tentacles respond to the movement of the player, which allows the intensity or direction of beams to be controlled. In addition, the Force, when detached, will seek out enemies on screen as an automated gun turret. The Albatross is also fitted with the Burst Shock Wave Cannon, which is capable of detonating enemies from within ( In 'Final' the Burst Shock Wave Cannon is renamed the Shock Wave Cannon.) Its Delta Attack is the Negative Corridor, which is a black hole that distorts the screen while vacuuming enemies present.
- R-13 Cerberus: A squat black-and-red fighter. The Cerberus uses the Anchor Force, which is linked to the ship by a malleable energy ribbon that can be used to attack enemies with the movement of the ship. The Force can collect its Dosage by grappling into enemies and absorb their energy until they are destroyed. The Cerberus is also fitted with the Lightning Wave Cannon, which emits a fast electrical discharge that homes in on enemies. The R-13's Delta Attack is the Hysteric Dawn, which opens up a dimensional rift.
- POW Armor: A Fighter unlocked by beating the game in Medium Mode or Hard Mode. It closely resembles the POW units that contain various power ups. The POW Armor's Wave Cannon fires various energy bolts that, depending on the charge level, appear as Bydo characters seen in other installments of the series. Firing the cannon while it is supercharged results in a large, wedge formation of energy bolts comprising the whole range of the cannons' capabilities. The Force has spikes covering it, and looks to resemble the Standard Force. When disconnected from the ship, only a few directions are covered at the first power level, but as the force levels up, it will eventually fire a continuous stream of bullets in a clock-wise 360 degree arc. The fighter's Delta Attack is a more powerful version of its Wave Cannon bursts, accompanied by ribbons of energy. The weapons are similar to the R-9 with slight changes as the red RAY is fired like a heart monitor, the blue RAY fires the same way but with more beams.
Reception
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R-Type Delta received positive reviews from critics, who generally praised its addictive gameplay and detailed graphics. Electronic Gaming Monthly reviewer Che Chou described the game as "the best R-Type [title] ever",[2] while Peter Bartholow of GameSpot commented, "If there's one PlayStation shooter to own, R-Type Delta is that shooter."[3] The game's graphics were highlighted for their diversity, colors, details, and complex polygon models,[4][1][2] with GameSpot noting that each enemy offers unique explosions and attacks.[3] The publication also praised the "top-notch" and dynamic soundtrack for giving the game "a catchy fusion of rock and techno that changes with the game's surroundings."[3]
Although the gameplay was praised for being both hard and rewarding,[3] some reviewers found it unnecessarily difficult and frustrating.[2] GameSpot highlighted the game's different ships, stating that each offers a strategic use of their weapons and abilities.[3] Edge, however, noted the lack of innovation, concluding: "Delta's central gameplay remains a product of the '80s. Your performance upon entering a new level depends largely on trial and error, and the game is as much a test of memory as it is joypad dexterity. As such, it's refreshing and frustrating at the same time [...] A fine shoot 'em up."[1]
References
- 1 2 3 "R-Type Delta". Edge. No. 67. Future Publishing. January 1999. p. 94.
- 1 2 3 4 Che Chou; Dan Hsu "Shoe"; John Davison; Crispin Boyer (August 1999). "R-Type Delta". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 121. EGM Media. p. 128.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Peter Bartholow (1998-12-15). "R-Type Delta Review". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 2016-08-18. Retrieved 2017-09-12.
- 1 2 "R-Type Delta". IGN. 1999-08-31. Archived from the original on 2017-09-13. Retrieved 2017-09-12.