R-Type Final 3 Evolved | PS5 Review

Jumping from 'R-Type Final 2' on the PS4 to 'R-Type Final 3 Evolved' on the PS5 is quite the evolution, pun intended. From a graphical standpoint the visuals are mind blowing this time around! It's beyond what I had imagined games looking like before becoming a PS5 console owner. Seeing it play out in 4K, on a proper 4K HDTV really makes this game look richer than ever before, presentation-wise. Even the soundtrack is vastly more impressive in scope and scale. 

The gameplay, itself, is super responsive, and also takes gameplay up a notch with an added controller voice feature. Though the game does carry over a lot of what 'R-Type Final 2' offered it adds to it on a grand scale by including extra customization options, a new competitive mode, and a new game that is "R-Type Final 3 Evolved". To say it is a mere upgrade would be an understatement.

If you've not played R-Type before it is a long running arcade shoot 'em up series done in the style of Gradius or Darius. It's a shmup series that features layered side-scrolling stages with static waves of enemy Bydos, and end Bydos bosses that appear from right to left. 

In fact R-Type has it's own story involving humanity's ongoing fight against the alien race known as the Bydos. In it's saga you get the chance to pilot an advanced spacecraft engineered from said alien tech that is equipped with force orbs for additional back/front/remote offense, bits (defensive satellites), charged wave cannons, and missiles. All to the tune of a simple color-coded armament power-up system that uses multiple power-up drops to bulk up your ship's arsenal, and improve upon it. Also returning is the Dose Break special attack mechanic that when powered up via gauge increases damage output as well as scoring potential. You can even speed up or slowdown your ship at the press of a button for precision maneuverability.

Mechanics aside, 'R-Type Final 3 Evolved' comes loaded with tons of older, and newer content. In it you can opt to play the previous 'R-Type Final 2' in it's entirety, or the new 'R-Type Final 3 Evolved'. Each of which come in several different difficulties including Practice, Kids, Normal, Bydo, and R-Typer. Forgive me if I got one of those wrong as this is all being typed from memory. 

With difficulty, and game in mind you'll play stage by stage as a one hit wonder kind of ship. Meaning that one hit taken will mean one life lost. It is in these stages and against all odds that you'll also encounter different routes, and in those routes different types of enemies. The point of each run being to eradicate all Bydos including the end boss of each stage while racking up score for efforts rendered.

In addition to this gameplay loop you'll be earning R-Points, and special alien materials in end tallies that can be used to unlock further ship and pilot customization content. This includes everything from the ship model to it's arsenal of weapons as well as pilot customization. New to the R-Type series, since Final 2, is the ability to create a profile that includes models of your piloted ship as well as the pilot, and his/her credentials. 

You can name, apply a title to, and change the outfit of your pilot to your liking. You can even add up to 9 badges for feats rendered in-game as well as a personalized quote for online players to see. The pilot suits, in particular, can change how your farm the three materials in each run. Be it Etherium, Bydogen, or Solonium. Using R-Points at the store will allow you to buy more outfit pieces as well as the materials, ship logos, ship colors, and other customization options. 

When it comes to ship customization you can equip whatever force you like, the bit type, the wave cannon type, and the missile type. That along with a color scheme, and any logos you'd like to apply. These logos and colors can be put upon multiple parts of the ship via a 3D model, and can be layered. Making each ship that you customize, and save unique to you. The really neat thing is that these customized ships are shown in-game as you created them as well. 

Viewing, and marveling at the vast array of base R-Type ships, and custom creations is once again doable through a few onboard menus. Returning from Final 2, for example, is the R-Museum. A place where detailed information for each ship is kept and revealed for your viewing pleasure as you unlock them through progress. All made available in a lineage sort of diagram with evolutions, and perspectives accounted for. Even their arsenal is made available alongside their history in the series. 

Apart from this, 'R-Park' and 'My Room' are also made available as new immersive browsing additions. These 3D rendered interactive online hubs allow you to browse your R-Type ship collection as the pilot in a 3rd person point of view. Taking some hints from games like "No Man's Sky", but in a more minimalistic style within limited space. Allowing for the placement of set pieces.

For those of you looking for competition 'R-Type Final 3 Evolved' has a real time lobby based high-scoring competitive mode where you can compete against online players for the highest score on a given stage. Outside of the basic Score Attack listing, which merely shows your highest score per stage for personal betterment, this option takes the competition to a global scale. Complete with matchmaking options to boot. 

The Extras ...

Extras are not out of the question either. There is a bestiary of sorts containing data on all encountered Bydos and craft including their 3D models and descriptions. There's even an art gallery that doubles as a means to assign loading, and title screens. For those of you interested in going straight to the credits there's also that.

The Verdict ...

R-Type Final 3 Evolved is truly an evolution in the R-Type series. It goes above and beyond to be more than just a mere upgrade. It contains a new game, new customization features, and a new way to compete for that high score ranking. Visually it's outstanding. A marvel among the genre, and more than impressive in 4K. It is the best looking shoot 'em up I've seen to date. Not even arcades could pull this off. If you fancy a robust R-Type experience on the new generation of consoles look no further than 'R-Type final 3 Evolved' for the PS5!!!