R-Type Final 3 Evolved

Although this ps5 release fails to include a great deal of additional content from R-Type Final 2, it shines so beautifully and plays so nicely that it's a perfect match for any shmup fan. A very solid game from a saga pretty much unexpected to be alive in 2023.

R-Type Final 3 Evolved is an R-Type, as faithful in the canons as in the style of the franchise. The package also includes R-Type 2, an appreciated bonus, but everything about the shop and customization is done badly.

It's not really a sequel but as an update to 2021's title, R-Type Final 3 adds plenty of content. It's still tough, confusing and has far too much purchasable DLC but the seven new levels and slight graphical upgrade are welcome and hopefully the planned multiplayer features will bring something worthwhile to the party too.

The game is also exclusive to PS5 of all things supposedly because it hopes to implement PSVR. Not for the actual game mind you, but just for a first person cutscene at the beginning. I’m not sure of the story behind this exclusivity, but this seems like an odd way to split your fanbase especially when the last game was available on practically everything.

R-Type Final 3 Evolved feels more like an R-Type Final 2.5 than a full-fledged sequel. If you have a copy of R-Type Final 2, then it’s worthwhile exploring the updates made to that release first. If you are interested in the release as a PS5 exclusive, then it’s probably worth waiting a little longer to see how the promised features pan out. This game isn’t really a sequel, and it doesn’t quite feel like an evolution, either.