R-Type has always been one of the main shoot ‘em up (shmup) franchises that seemingly everybody knows, either for its heavy H.R. Giger-inspired designs or the crippling difficulty that has followed the games throughout the decades. Today, we are looking at a previously PlayStation 1 exclusive title in the franchise in the form of R-Type Delta: HD Boosted.
Delta Force Rules
R-Type has always been about the fight between the forces of Earth and the ever-consuming Bydo Empire. Following the defeat of the empire in the original R-Type, the hero from that game is saved and brought back to Earth. Sadly, no one knew they were infected by the Bydo, and this causes a mass breakout all across the planet; this triggers the events of R-Type: Delta.
Starting on Earth was a welcome departure for the series, which typically takes place in far-flung locales throughout the universe. It was also quite interesting to see how the game tied into the earlier games. That being said, it is a shmup and like with many shmups, the lore and story found in R-Type Delta: HD Boosted is simply a bonus. Outside of the intro and ending, the majority of the story told is purely environmental, that, while done well, really benefits major fans of the franchise more than those starting with this game.
The Trend Setter Returns
R-Type Delta: HD Boosted is an updated version of R-Type Delta, which showcases the classic horizontal scrolling shoot ‘em up formula made wildly popular by previous titles in the franchise, as well as others such as Gradius and the Darius series. These games put more focus on memorizing the stage hazards and which enemies swarm you, rather than focusing on reacting and bullet placement like in bullet hell shmups.
If you have played any of the other R-Type games, you’ll be right at home here with R-Type Delta: HD Boosted. It gives you familiar mechanics such as the ability to switch your speed faster or slower to suit the situation. You can also make use of a meter that you can build up for a screen-clearing bomb (or giant damage dealer), which is best saved for a boss. You can also choose from 3 different ships to pilot (including an upgraded version of the original ship) with different shot patterns, which wasn’t the case in previous R-Type titles.
It also features the series’s standout gimmick of “The Force”. For those of you unfamiliar with the franchise, The Force is an orb you can fire out and attach to the front or the back of your ship. This allows you to choose where to focus your extra shots as enemies tend to come from all directions. The Force itself also damages and kills weaker enemies (the “popcorn” enemies that die to a single shot) on contact, and it blocks shots while building up the meter for that all-important screen-clearing bomb. A big part of your success will be learning the best way to manipulate and use The Force.
Despite being based on a PlayStation 1 title, R-Type Delta: HD Boosted feels just as smooth and responsive to play as the series has ever been. Inputs felt lagless and movement was just as smooth, which is essential for this kind of game, as often you’ll find yourself swiftly dodging through ruins and hiding from bullets as the screen slowly scrolls to your next bout of incoming doom.
Your Latest Challenge
What I enjoyed most about R-Type Delta: HD Boosted was how the campaign managed to feel completely fresh while still splashing me with a little bit of familiarity. The first stage, starting in the middle of a city in Asia, for example, was a great way to set this title apart from the others before it eased into a more familiar water-themed stage for its second trial. It was also fantastic to not fight the staple iconic R-Type level 1 boss again, which anyone familiar with the franchise can attest has been quite stale by this point!
I should also note that R-Type Delta: HD Boosted is tough, like really tough. I found it difficult, despite being a shmup enthusiast with plenty of one-credit clears to my name! I have no shame in admitting I died a lot during my time with the game, even on the lowest of the 3 difficulty modes named KID. You start with 3 continues, but the more you play the game, the more credits you unlock. Also, when you complete a stage, you get the ability to practice that stage at will, giving you the tools to try the stage on a higher difficulty for your next run. It’s a safe assumption that unless you’re an R-Type Delta master, you’ll be plugging away at this one for a good while until you get that one credit clear. I know it’ll be taking me a good while!
Boost Dash
In terms of “HD Boosting”, R-Type Delta: HD Boosted does offer slightly tidied-up visuals for larger displays and much less “fuzziness” than you would expect from a PlayStation 1 title. Beyond that, it seems the bulk of the work was put into the new soundtrack featuring work from previous artists tied to the franchise, plus everyone’s favourite Amiga warrior Chris Huelsbeck, who has recently worked on new tracks for games such as X-Out and Turrican.
Even if not much has been done to update the graphics, R-Type Delta is still a very impressive game to look at. Despite its age, it has some outstanding set pieces and brings the grotesque Bydo Empire to life. It just admittedly very much looks like a product of its time, which makes R-Type Delta: HD Boosted a much harder sell in the graphics department when you can pick up R-Type Final 3 for around the same price nowadays.
Verdict
R-Type Delta: HD Boosted to me feels like a game laser-focused toward existing fans of the R-Type franchise who may have missed out on it when it first came out. While certainly enjoyable, it isn’t the title I would say would most appeal to newcomers; rather, the value comes from wanting the next challenge in an incredibly challenging series.
With a slightly done-up lick of paint, a new soundtrack, and the chance to play this title on newer systems, R-Type Delta: HD Boosted is going to be one for the Shmup masochists to sink their teeth into and for fans of retro to gush over while repeatedly hitting the walls of the stages. It’s good to know going in that this game will kick your teeth in and that progress is going to take time; once you do, you’ll find yourself with a rewarding and infuriating retro shmup that finally has its chance to shine outside of its original PlayStation prison.
R-TYPE DELTA: HD BOOSTED IS RECOMMENDED
If you are looking for another shmup, take a look at our review of Radiant Silvergun.
Many thanks go to Clear River Games for a Nintendo Switch review code (played on Nintendo Switch 2) for R-Type Delta: HD Boosted!
Pride of utopia & greatest thing ever, I found the One Piece, Collected the Dragon Balls & won the Mortal Kombat Tournament in one night, it was quiet for me that night! Follow me on Twitter @powahdunk
