Unique tactics mixed with console jank
One of the best games on the worst console, R-Type Tactics was a turn-based tactical space fleet game based on the venerable R-Type series of shmups on the PSP. Combining their brutal stage design in hex-grid format, the ludicrous selection of ships from R-Type Final as a coherent fighting force, and the gross giger-esque Bydo as the ultimate enemy all with gameplay reminiscent of Advance Wars. And it works! ...mostly.
You mainly control wings of fighter craft backed up by a tiny handful of capital ships. Craft range from frontline fighters, AWACs scouts, long-range missile artillery, and devastating beam ships. Even the lowly POW Armor has a role in providing fuel and ammo to units in the field. You build ships between missions with resources you harvest in (replayable) battles, but the number of ships you can field is limited by your number of pilots.
If you haven't played an R-Type shmup (or at least watched a 1cc video on youtube) you'll run into several confusing concepts like the force spheres that attach to your fighter craft in the front or rear, providing protection and unlocking different weapon attacks. Most ships in the game have devastating charge-up attacks that hit multiple targets but take several rounds to charge, and taking the slightest hit cancels the charge. So even a weak shot from a recon ship can be consequential.
Enemies have shmup AI, the challenge comes more from the puzzle of the stage maps, with scouting and fog of war being a major factor. Thankfully major stage hazards like Dobkeratops' tail will telegraph their attack a round early so you won't lose ships for suprise BS reasons.
This is a HUGE game with dozens and dozens of stages. It includes the original Tactics game, the sequel Operation Bitter Chocolate which was only released in Japan, and a new short campaign "Cosmos" for this release. Unfortunately the campaigns must all be played in order on the same save, you can't start at a later one.
Note that this is still an HD release of a Playstation portable game, so while mouse control is present, things are still optimized for controller, so rely on the "Z" and "X" keys on your keyboard to do some heavy lifting. Also the game defaults to showing Xbox button prompts, you'll have to dig around in options to get keyboard prompts.
The main downside of this game is the music. It's not bad, there's just not much of it and the same 3 tracks repeat endlessly during gameplay. While the ship and creature designs are fantastic and inspired, the graphical fidelity is identical to R-Type Final 2.
If you're willing to put up with a little console jank, this is a unique and brilliant game with hours and hours of content. Just make sure you know a little about the setting first or you'll be hopelessly confused.
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