R-type 3 is an absolutely incredible side scrolling shooter. It is a game that, for me, redefines the way I view the genre. It's innovation in gameplay and in graphics makes this game stand out above the rest. R-type 3, though very difficult to beat, provides a breath of fresh air from an otherwise uncreative genre. Gameplay: 9/10 Like most side scrolling shooters, the game takes place in a futuristic setting as you fly through the stages destroying enemies before they destroy you. And also, like many games, as you go, you can gain lives as your point total increases and you can pick up weapons upgrades as you go as well. However, this is where the similarities end with the other games of this type. Before you begin the game, you can select to play through the game in three different weapons forms. As you play, you gain a sidekick that will perform differently from each other. As you play, you can either attach this extra weapon to the front of your ship, the back, side, or even leave it out to lead in the front. Each setting (which is interchangeable during the game) yields a different result and provides you with different types of fighting support. Using your attachment well is one of the key strategies in this game. Likewise charging your weapon to fire stronger shots at the right time is also key. An innovation in gameplay is also found in the way the levels run. The stages do not 'end' like other games do. Rather you keep flying through... eventually you do hit a stopping point. But those points are not close together. (though if you die, you do not have to all the way back to the beginning). Each stage/level has very unique elements including a rotating screen, which you have to see to understand. The only problem with the gameplay is that it is so difficult. It is near impossible to beat, in my opinion, though you have a lot of fun trying. Graphics: 9/10 The graphics in this game are rich and colorful. Many games of this genre have drab displays and dull looking enemies. But this game is very well drawn and animated. The screen rotation and background movement are unexpected and can be distracting if you are not prepared. But it is done very well so that you can tell what needs to be done. The different types of shots fired are pretty unique and well drawn as well. Sound: 8/10 The sound is exactly as you would expect. The background music lays a very fast and exciting backdrop for the game. There is a lot of intensity in the music that can be felt as you play. Likewise, because of the sheer number of enemies on screen, there are a ton of sound effects such as shots and explosions... powerups and lasers. Never to the sounds feel jumbled. The designers did a great job of varying the sound effects enough to keep it all differentiated, especially in very busy scenes. Reviewer's Tilt: 10/10 I absolutely loved this game. It was very hard and I had to play it several times through to beat it. There is a high level of replayability as you can go through the game with different attatchments. This is a must have and a keeper in my collection.
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I first experienced R-Type III on the Super Nintendo "back in the day." At the time, my experience with the space shooter genre consisted of the Gradius series of games. R-Type was an impressive, fun, and chall... Read Full Review
The SNES, by comparison to the Genesis and Turbografx, was not known for having many 2D shooters of good quality, most of the shooters released for the system were downright lousy in fact, so R-Type 3 coming out at a lat... Read Full Review
