France
Very
good
 |
R-Type – Space Odyssey
Tested version: 1.0.4
Latest version: 1.0.9
Requires Android: from 2.1
|
Summary
Oh yes—the 80ies are back. Spaceship full throttle battles and synthesizer muzak are R-Type’s calling cards and helped promote the game to Game Boy cult status. The arcade game is now available for Android smartphones and tablets. Read on to find out if the game is still as much fun as it was back in the day.
Features & Use
Section rating:
Test device 1: Samsung Google Nexus S
Android version: 2.3.6
Test device 2: Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1
Android version: 3.2
I must admit that I was super excited about testing out R-Type for you all. Some of you will remember it from the Days of Yore and playing the game on your Game Boys and/or Super Nintendo.
I install the 14,20 MB sized file, check out the required permissions (seems kosher) and am all set to play my first round.
The first thing I see once I’ve installed the game is the main display which is pared down to show the bare essentials: Games, Settings and More Games. Hit Settings in order to adjust the controls (sensor, arcade, switch continuous fire on/off) and adjust the volume of the music or sound effects.
For all those of you who aren’t familiar with R-Type, here’s a brief overview: as mentioned, it’s a classic 80’s arcade shooter, and the goal is to protect a spaceship from the Bydo Empire. There are plenty of power-ups, new weaponry and other boosts that will help you do so. And that’s about it as far as narrative goes—what can I say: it’s a shooter game, the narrative plays a secondary role.
R-Type has
- 8 levels
- 2 controls settings
- 2 levels of difficulty
- 8 enemy opponents
The gameplay may be simple, but playing the game certainly is not—and that’s what makes it so thrilling. Enemies are attacking from all directions, flying, falling, jumping and firing at you. There are lots of upgrades supplying you with new weapons, but don’t be lulled into a false state of tranquility: weapons disappear as quickly as they are made available, or rather every time the spacecraft is hit. The spacecraft is destroyed if it is hit. So it’s all about an offensive defense, and while that includes a lot of open fire and collecting power-ups, there’s also a bit of strategy in the mix.
The two controls options are great: the sensor allows you to control the spacecraft by swiping, and the second alternative is a classic arcade settings with pad controls. I’m more partial to the sensor settings because I’m a sucker for efficiency, and this allows me to lay the tablet on a table top and thus exert more control over the game. Fast flight maneuvers and successfully evading attacks are a must. That said, the arcade settings are reminiscent of the original Game Boy game, so there’s something to be said for them as well.
I find the smartphone and tablet adaption of R-Type to be very well done. There’s no doubt that there’s a different feel to playing the game than when we used to actually have the feel of pressing the buttons beneath our fingertips, but controls are very good, and you get used to them quite quickly. Be warned (or thrilled): the game is tough, and if you lose you spaceship a little bit alter on in a level you will have to continue on without power-ups or boosts.
You are given 5 lives—once you’ve used them all up it’s game over. I can’t recall exactly what the deal with activated levels was in the original version of R-Type, but with the Android version levels remain available to players once they’ve been activated.
The graphics are phenomenal—that is, provided you enjoy grainy, pixilated 8-Bit graphics.
Bottom line:
The Android version of R-Type did not disappoint me: it’s a fast paced, action packed game, and a very successful adaption of the 80’s classic. It has a great retro feel to it thanks to the graphics and sound.
Once you’ve sussed out which controls options work best for you, my guess is that you won’t be able to stop playing. It’s that same old drive, propelling you onwards to see how far you can get.
And while 8 levels may not seem like all that much, I think you’ll find that the represent a real challenge. Getting ahead is tough, so it’s all about practicing. If you are anything like me you will get hooked: it’s all about getting ahead in the game.
Screen & Controls
Section rating:
R-Type was designed for a very small screen (the Game Boy screen), so it doesn’t come as a surprise that the game seems very well thought-out. That said, it can happen that enemies attack you from just where you’ve place your finger, making it difficult to react in time. Xperia users are in luck as the game was optimised for Xperia.
Controls are good, and the amount of time it takes for a ship to react are instantaneous, which is crucial for a game like this one.
Speed & Stability
Section rating:
R-Type does very well in this category. It runs fast and flawlessly. It reacts instantaneously and doesn’t crash.
Price/Performance Ratio
Section rating:
The price is the only drawback: R-Type costs 3,56 EUR, but keep in mind that the same game would’ve cost XX amounts of $/EUR/etc. However—R-Type is our app of the week and thus available for only 1,78 EUR, which strikes me as being a very fair price.
Comparable Apps
No comparable apps are currently known to us. If you happen to know one, it would be great if you could get in touch with us.
Report comparable or similar apps
Developer
Top App:
Another World
Also known as Out Of This World™ and released across more than a dozen platforms since (...)
Also known as Out Of This World™ and released across more than a dozen platforms since (...)
You must be logged in in order to become a fan of DotEmu.
Features
Screen
Speed
Price
Market Rating:
AndroidPIT User Rating:
Own Rating:
Log yourself in!
Ad
Bookmark / E-Mail
Click on an icon to bookmark this test report. » Send this article via e-mailScreenshots
All Test Reports
- Applications (591)
- Games (392)
Market Comments
A Google User, May 5, 2013
Hard to play. Not because of the difficulty of this retro classic but due to the unresponsive, clunky and hard to use controls.
A Google User, May 2, 2013
Not bad for a Nostalgic Two stars for the SEGA impression, other than that maneuvering is awful.
A Google User, Apr 25, 2013
Brilliant but not perfect. The ui is really nice and clean. The game runs really well. Only issues I have is the Xbox controller doesn't seem fully supported, the power shot has no button assigned. Oh and this is outrageously difficult!
A Google User, Apr 25, 2013
Super... This game brings back to a simpler time when video gaming was as tough as nail...Loving it great fun!!!
A Google User, Apr 25, 2013
Gsm galaxy nexus All my games run smooth for its time the galaxy nexus 4.2.2 perfect
A Google User, Apr 24, 2013
Memories come alive Great port. Awesome update. Retype was always hard guys... On screen controls make a couple lvls difficult. But still enjoyable.
A Google User, Apr 24, 2013
A classic Takes me back to my Arcade days, plays and looks like the 8 Bit Sega Master System version which was much better than the Amiga computer home version, only difference being it doesnt suffer from "processor choke" like the M.S. version did when on screen got to many on screen sprites, very nice port all in.
A Google User, Apr 13, 2013
Flashbacks!!! Love it, works great on the Xperia s 4.04 so addictive :-D
A Google User, Apr 5, 2013
Brilliant but Its too difficult! Also OpenFeint connection never works Newest version doesn't update high scores! I beat my previous best and the previous stayed as the high score :(
A Google User, Mar 20, 2013
So cool Love this game just wish my reactions were faster lol,smooth as silk and a proper time killer
A Google User, Mar 15, 2013
Hmmm! Classic game but absolutely pointless on a phone because of the control layout,you cant see whats behind you because your thumb will be in the way
A Google User, Mar 12, 2013
Awesome on a 7" pad Works great on my phones and Sumvision Voyager 7" pad.
A Google User, Feb 24, 2013
Controls an issue Game gets pretty impossible around level 4 due to imprecise controls - you are covering up too much of the screen with your thumb, when enemies are coming from above/below/behind and can't be seen. Also badly needs feature to increase size of touch buttons. On my DNA the fire button is tiny... Really easy to miss it and die because you can't fire.
A Google User, Feb 20, 2013
Old times Love this game. Hard as hell but love it. The best game on phones to date. Xperia play
I had to laugh when you said the game was developed for the gameboy. Everybody knows that it was originally an arcade game. Don't feel bad though, because you're still young haha!