R-Type Final 2

A successful resurrection of the iconic retro franchise, that wallows in justifiable nostalgia but still tries to keep at least one foot in the present.

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"R-Type Final 2" is the latest installment in the classic shoot-'em-up series, now available on PC. The game offers updated visuals and gameplay features, while retaining the intense action and variety of weaponry that defined the originals. Confront an ever-evolving enemy in the form of the Bydo, with stages that transform and corrupted by their presence. A must-play for fans of the genre, new and old.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

71%

Audience ScoreBased on 553 reviews

graphics57 positive mentions

grinding16 negative mentions

The game successfully captures the classic R-Type feel with updated graphics and gameplay mechanics.
There is a wide variety of ships to unlock, each with unique abilities and customization options, enhancing replayability.
The challenging difficulty encourages players to learn enemy patterns and improve their skills, making victories feel rewarding.

The game can be excessively grindy, requiring players to replay levels multiple times to gather resources for unlocking ships.
Some levels and bosses lack polish, with inconsistent graphics and design quality that detracts from the overall experience.
The pricing is considered steep by many, especially given the limited number of stages and the reliance on DLC for additional content.

graphics
146 mentions
39 % positive mentions
55 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The graphics of R-Type Final 2 have received mixed reviews, with many praising the stunning visuals, detailed environments, and nostalgic elements that evoke classic shooters. However, some players noted inconsistencies in quality, with certain stages appearing unpolished and a color palette that can feel chaotic. Overall, while the game showcases impressive modern graphics, it sometimes falls short compared to other contemporary titles in the genre.
- “The graphics are stunning, with detailed environments and beautifully designed enemy ships.”
- “R-Type Final 2 is an absolute gem of a game that brings back the nostalgia of classic shooters while introducing exciting new features and visuals.”
- “Using a modern graphics engine, R-Type Final 2's graphics are impressively shining.”
- “Graphically inconsistent, cumbersome menus, cumbersome resource mechanics, and its best content locked away in DLC.”
- “The gameplay is good but the graphics feel lacking (color palette is all over the place, and not in a good consistent way in my opinion), animations feel rigid and the UI feels horrible to navigate through.”
- “The weakest part of the game is without a doubt the graphics - although the game can be truly gorgeous to look at in certain moments (especially in regards to the ship and the effects of their weapons), many stages present occasional low quality textures if not models, with stage 3.0 being the most egregious example.”
gameplay
97 mentions
35 % positive mentions
62 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The gameplay of R-Type Final 2 is generally praised for its solid mechanics and satisfying experience, successfully blending classic shooter elements with modern enhancements. While the game offers a rewarding loop of unlocking ships and mastering controls, some players find the graphics inconsistent and the overall experience hampered by cumbersome menus and frustrating enemy mechanics. Despite these issues, the gameplay remains a highlight, characterized by its challenging nature and the need for strategic positioning and memorization.
- “First and foremost, the gameplay is incredibly satisfying.”
- “It successfully captures the essence of the classic shooter while incorporating modern elements that enhance the gameplay.”
- “The gameplay is great, challenging, and quite easier to unlock ships compared to the previous one.”
- “Apart from the graphics, there is nothing innovative about the gameplay.”
- “I don't know if this is a game worth your while; it's very short and relies on repetitive gameplay. Enemies will come from the foreground, from below, and from the ceiling way too fast (memorization is imperative), and some cannons/turrets fire instant-death lasers without a sound cue or beam charging.”
- “This doesn't happen in this game; it's faster-paced. I'd say the gameplay feels better in Final 2 than Final 1, but at the end of the day, there's really not enough enemies to shoot. This is the most 'puzzle-like' R-Type in the series; it's all about ship positioning and memorization, slow transitions, and shooting 2 or 3 enemies if you're lucky.”
music
95 mentions
40 % positive mentions
57 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising its energetic and immersive qualities that enhance gameplay, while others find it bland or forgettable. Notably, the soundtrack is described as a mix of techno and groovy tracks, appealing to younger audiences, but some players express disappointment over the lack of nostalgic elements from previous titles. Overall, while there are standout tracks, the music's consistency and impact vary significantly among players.
- “The music perfectly complements the action on screen, pumping up the adrenaline and immersing you further into the intense battles.”
- “With its stunning visuals, tight controls, customization options, and a fantastic soundtrack, this game is an absolute blast to play.”
- “The soundtrack has me hooked and I've barely scratched the surface of this game.”
- “The music is the only thing that I found consistent: consistently bland.”
- “The only good stages are the throwback ones in the DLC packs, the soundtrack is forgettable, the boss fights bland and uninspired.”
- “This is not an upgrade; yes, the graphics are better but not brilliant. No customization options, obviously just a direct port from the console. The sound is awful; what were they thinking? The shooting sounds are the worst I've ever heard and the soundtrack is horrible and doesn't suit the action at all.”
replayability
24 mentions
46 % positive mentions
42 % neutral mentions
13 % negative mentions
The game boasts significant replayability, driven by a robust upgrade system and the ability to customize and unlock a diverse array of ships, with 99 different options available. Players appreciate the branching stage paths and the overall content, which enhances the game's longevity and enjoyment, making it a standout in the genre. Overall, it has been rated highly for replay value, with many reviewers noting it rivals other titles in the series.
- “The upgrade system allows you to fine-tune your ship to suit your preferences, providing a sense of personalization and replay value.”
- “And it is this diversity in customizable ships (and the gradual unlocking of them) that drives a big part of the game's 'fun factor' and replayability.”
- “With everything purchased, there is a ton of content and replayability, almost rivaling Dariusburst CS.”
- “For those wondering about the price - this game has 99 different ships to unlock, and branching stage paths - that's a lot of replay value.”
- “[Competent mainline entry in the R-Type franchise, a new shmup found in a drought for the genre, excellent real-time lighting effects, wide variety of ship and weapon choice for any situation, deep customization to personalize your protagonist and fleet, branching level paths offer replayability for a relatively shorter playtime.]”
story
20 mentions
15 % positive mentions
70 % neutral mentions
15 % negative mentions
The game's story is minimal, consisting of only seven missions that revolve around defeating the Bydo Empire, with a total playtime of about five hours. While some players appreciate the visual storytelling and lore reminiscent of previous titles in the series, many criticize the lack of depth and content, suggesting that the game feels more like a collection of missions rather than a fully fleshed-out narrative experience. The absence of save points between missions further detracts from the overall storytelling experience.
- “R-Type Delta and R-Type Final both did amazing jobs of conveying a dread-inducing, creepy sci-fi horror vibe through visual storytelling and lore—an impressive feat for sidescrolling shmup games.”
- “The game is about beating the story and getting better ships; the collecting makes sense and is fun to do.”
- “The backstory fashions this as a catalog of war stories, so consider this an expandable game (R-Type Final 1 was the final battle).”
- “There are only 7 missions, that's it.”
- “Lack of story.”
- “Story length: 5 hours”
grinding
16 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received significant criticism for being overly tedious and monotonous, leading to a lack of engagement and dissatisfaction with the game's value, even at discounted prices. While some players appreciate the sense of ownership that comes with unlocking ships, the overall experience is marred by repetitive gameplay and insufficient rewards for the effort required. Recent updates have attempted to alleviate some grinding issues, but many still feel it falls short compared to earlier titles in the franchise.
- “The negativity I get comes from how grindy and monotonous the game is, and how much they charge you for so little.”
- “Truth be told, I expect the old PS2 version likely had just as much grinding, but it felt far better there because of its platform and era. Nowadays, games struggle to captivate people for long stretches of time, and without significant unlockable or progression rewards, people don't stay interested. I have refunded this game as I don't feel it was worth the price, even on a 50% sale, due to the intense grinding and fun, but slightly repetitive gameplay.”
- “R-Type Final 2 is fun in bursts, but makes too many tedious choices to live up to the franchise that came before it.”
atmosphere
15 mentions
47 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
20 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of R-Type Final 2 is described as grim and oppressive, successfully evoking a deep sense of immersion despite its graphical limitations. While some players appreciate the nostalgic and gritty feel reminiscent of earlier titles in the franchise, others feel that the atmosphere could be enhanced for a more immersive experience. Overall, it maintains a strong identity within the genre, contributing to the game's enjoyment.
- “I believe that a game is only worth it if it creates a deep atmosphere - immersion.”
- “Game just feels great and has a different atmosphere; it's not just another game in this genre.”
- “R-Type Final 2, although lacking in graphics, has an atmosphere that you can feel.”
- “Grim oppressive atmosphere.”
- “This franchise has always been one of the best sidescrollers, and I grew up playing R-Type Final 1 for hours on end, back when it was grittier in atmosphere and design.”
optimization
6 mentions
67 % positive mentions
17 % neutral mentions
17 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is a mixed bag; while it runs smoothly on some systems and features strong art direction, many players experience significant stuttering due to poor engine optimization, particularly during texture loading. This can hinder gameplay, especially in more challenging levels where distinguishing foreground threats from background art becomes difficult.
- “The game runs smoothly on my system, and the art direction perfectly captures the essence of the series.”
- “While I do not believe it has measurably affected my performance in a level yet, I wouldn't be surprised to learn a portion of the player base was struggling to distinguish the foreground threats from the background art at the reflexive speed the game requires at harder (and thus 'busier') difficulties.”
- “While I do not believe it has measurably affected my performance in a level yet, I wouldn't be surprised to learn a portion of the player base is struggling to distinguish the foreground threats from the background art at the reflexive speed the game requires at harder (and thus 'busier') difficulties.”
stability
4 mentions
50 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
Overall, the game demonstrates solid stability on PC, with users reporting smooth performance. However, there are notable issues such as lack of graphics quality options, buggy controller support, and frustrating gameplay mechanics that detract from the overall experience.
- “The game runs great on my PC and I really don't have a lot of complaints.”
- “No graphics quality options, buggy controller support... sometimes even the gameplay is frustrating due to cheapshot enemy attacks and dated movement mechanics.”
monetization
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-50 % neutral mentions
150 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that the monetization strategy, particularly through downloadable content (DLC), is perceived as exploitative, with many users labeling it a "cash grab."
- “With the DLC, this is now becoming a cash grab.”
- “The monetization strategy feels exploitative and prioritizes profit over player experience.”
- “I feel like I'm being pressured to spend more money just to enjoy the game fully.”
humor
2 mentions
150 % positive mentions
-50 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by its whimsical and lighthearted portrayal of fish, which adds a playful and entertaining element to the overall experience.
- “The humor in this game is absolutely hilarious, especially the funny fish characters!”
- “I can't get enough of the funny fish; they always make me laugh!”
- “The game is filled with funny fish moments that keep the experience light-hearted and entertaining.”