R-Type Delta: HD Boosted Review – Grueling and Addicting

R-Type Delta: HD Boosted Review

R-Type Delta: HD Boosted is a remaster of the 1998 PSX classic R-Type Delta. The R-Type franchise was known as the quintessential arcade side-scrolling space shooters for years. And the original R-Type Delta was beloved among its peers.

But how does this venerable title hold up to modern standards? The answer depends entirely on two factors: how good you are at shooters and how patient you are.

In the grim future of 2164, the alien Bydo have invaded Earth, corrupting its technology and seeking to wipe out humanity. You must stave off this threat with your R-Type starfighter and all the upgrades you can get your hands on. But the true price of saving humanity may be more than any hero than bear…

A Piece of Gaming History

R-Type Delta: HD Boosted is as addicting as it is frustrating. This dark sci-fi classic shoot ‘em up follows a single pilot on a quest into the unknown. By which I mean, this game is merciless with its enemy placement. It demands you have both incredibly fast reflexes and an excellent memory for what’s coming.

You can choose from three machines: the standard Delta, the trickier Albatross, and the uncanny Cerberus. Each has a different weapon load-out and a correspondingly different playstyle. However, all of them are rather fragile. A single moment of carelessness can wipe you out.

The controls are simple: you have a chargeable attack, a rapid fire mode, and a powerful Delta weapon. However, mastering those controls will be an ordeal, and positioning and speed management will be your best friends.

There’s no save system, though you do have some checkpoints to work with. Running out of lives means you have to restart from the beginning. Blocking enemy fire with your Force and dodging incoming foes is key.

This game is grueling, frustrating, and incredibly fun. I am not a fan of shooters, but I found myself playing until my hand hurt. The impulse to try just one more time and see if I could get a little further was the most difficult enemy in the game.

R-Type Delta: HD Boosted is a Beautiful and Grueling Sci-Fi Epic

R-Type Delta: HD Boosted is a glorious stream of delightful retro space shooter action. I’m gonna be very honest here. This game, with its polygonal models and 90s sci-fi design sensibilities, looks dated. However, it also looks awesome. The HD boost brings the dark world of R-Type’s embattled Earth to life in a way that genuinely sent shivers down my spine. I can see why so many shooters of the era imitated the series.

The dark sci-fi aesthetic it has going on is excellent, enemy designs are fun, and the sound design is genuinely spectacular. There’s not a single bad song on the soundtrack. And the various glows and ominous whines of combat add a nice splash of color and noise.

The actual game is not very long, with just seven levels to clear. However, actually clearing the game will likely take you days even on the easiest difficulty. This game was crafted for an era when a single title needed enough replay value to justify months if not years of entertainment.

However, the spectacle sequences can be a tremendously frustrating experience. Especially since your timing has to be spot-on. Clearing R-Type Delta: HD Boosted is far from easy peasy lemon squeezy. If anything, it’s…

Difficult Difficult Lemon Difficult

R-Type Delta: HD Boosted features three difficulty levels that roughly correspond to easy, medium, and hard. However, if you’re not a shoot ‘em up veteran, they’re basically difficult, more difficult, and even more difficult.

Fortunately, the game features a practice mode where you can hone your skills on specific obstacles. This is extremely useful for sections that require tricky maneuvering and testing strategies for boss battles. And it has an invincibility setting for when you can’t get your timing completely perfect.

Each level is hand-crafted to require very specific strategies to beat. While different ships do have different options, a lot of gameplay boils down to figuring out the optimal positioning for each obstacle. In this sense, the game is mostly composed of trial and error.

All in all, R-Type Delta: HD Boosted is a glorious blast from the past that takes no prisoners. If you thrive under pressure and enjoy memorizing level layouts, this is the game for you. And if you don’t, give it a try anyway. It’s merciless, but incredibly engaging.

***Switch code provided by the publisher***