R-Type

R-Type is set in the 22nd century, and the player flies a futuristic fighter called R-9a "Arrowhead", named after its shape and because it is the ninth model of the "R" series of fighters (but the first of the series to actually be used in combat; the previous models were all prototypes). The mission is to "fly off and attack the evil Bydo Empire." The R- in the series title originally stood for "ray," meaning a beam of light. It was a reference to the many different types of ray-like weapons in the first R-Type. It was later changed to R-Type Final, referring to the production code as well as a pet name for the player's fighter, the "Round Canopy". The original R-Type was well received by most game critics. However, it was also notorious for its relentless difficulty. It landed at number 7 on IGN's top 10 hardest games to beat. The gameplay of R-Type is very different from other shoot 'em ups. The player will always lose, not because of unequal firepower, but because of the design of the levels themselves. There is usually a "right" way to get through a level, but players must learn it through experience - that is, by losing and restarting at the beginning of the level. The game's weapon system is innovative compared to today's shooters: it has a rechargeable shot (beam meter) and a detachable "force" capsule; the levels were designed to require different tactics and ideal weapons (air-to-air, diagonal or air-to-ground laser).