Review: R-Type Delta: HD Boosted (Nintendo Switch)
We have a shmup on deck for you, so what time is it? Time to open fire! Our game today is a new entry in one of the all-time great series: R-Type Delta: HD Boosted. The R-Type is back and ready to satisfy your shmuppy desires.
Straight off the launch pad, the HD visuals are very good. While the gameplay graphics are not as slick as the ship intro (and in the intros, the ships do look really cool) the visuals are very well done.
Before starting out, the game will present you with a launch tower in an area a bit reminiscent of Blade Runner. Once you select your R-Type, you launch into the night to defend the world. Since this is a shmup, the basic movement of your ship is 2D. However, the graphics and the paths of some of the bad guys are 3D. The combination is well done and easy for the player to work with.
The soundtrack is equally well done and provides the right level of tension balanced with heroic battle themes. The music doesn’t distract, it actually helps the player become immersed in the game, just as it should. The sound effects are also appropriate to the action and sometimes quite satisfying. This is more evidence that the developers have put forth a valiant effort to make sure everything about this game is just right; they really know what a shmup is all about and have nailed the story and visuals in classic anime style. This is a real treat for the gamers.
When it’s time for the shooting to begin, there are some options for you. For most shmuppers, there are no surprises when you find three options at your disposal: normal shot, rapid shot, and Delta weapon (press and hold to charge). The fourth option—”force”—is extra fun. With this, if you can shoot the bonus weapon bots, you can collect a new weapon function which attaches to the nose of your ship. It will fire with the rest of your weapons normally, but if you use the “force” weapon option, it launches off the nose of your ship and flies ahead of you, providing some interesting enemy destroying options.
You also have some different weapons at your disposal with the three different ships. I won’t spoil all the differences for you, but one of the ships has an attack type called “tentacle.” Yes, it’s both as odd and engaging as you might think.
Another element you would expect is the difficulty range: kids, human, and Bydo (the alien baddies). I’m not going to give away all the weapons spoilers (and there are some juicy ones) but I can say that if you are feeling curious or whimsical, give the kids level a try. You get access to more weapons from the start, and it can be enough to make a merry gamer giggle with glee.
Even with all those wonderful toys at your disposal, the course isn’t going to be easy. As with most shmups, you will need to memorize some of the patterns so you don’t get blown to smithereens. Even with that, there is a fair bit of skill and finesse required to get through a good portion of each level. The boss at the end of the level is no joke; you will need to focus to win. When you get blown up, and it will happen, you have to back up a bit in the level. I didn’t find this to be as sore a defeat as losing the special weapons that got picked up on the way. You don’t always get the option to re-acquire the special weapons, so getting through just got quite a bit trickier.
It may seem a bit late, but the game does have some story element as well. It is mostly the usual “you are our only hope to save the world, so get to work” thing, but it is well presented and makes sense within the game. This, along with the other elements, keeps the player rooting for our hero and his plucky R-Type.
Now for the big wrap-up. I have played numerous shmups in my time, and I can honestly say this is one of the best. The game touches a little retro familiarity, adds some new pop and sizzle, mixes it with some great sound, and serves it up in such a way that I was really drawn in. I found myself less frustrated at hitting a stop, and more just groaning at the loss, saying to myself “OK, let’s hit it again!” There is a classic arcade-like thrill which provides a fun variety of adrenaline ride that makes the player want to figure out the trick of the moment and to play again to show those aliens who’s boss around here.
