R-Type Command is fantastic IF you enjoy turn-based strategy

[parallaxscroll2]

R-Type Command (R-Type Tactics in Japan) on PSP is a full blown strategy entry that requires patience but if you're down with that, the game can actually be rewarding and a lot of fun.

Long time R-Type fans will just have to forget traditional shmups.

Command is not a scrolling space shmup whatsoever, understand it's purely a turn-based strategy spinoff of the series.

If you enjoy Intelligent System's Advance Wars series (grid based movement system) on GBA and DS or Hudson's Military Madness/Nectaris series (hexagonal movement system) which is on a wide variety of console and computer platforms, then R-Type Command is probably the right game for you.


Personally, I'm getting back into Command's campaign after some years, it's been part of my PSP backlog for quite some time.
Tactics came out fall 2007 in Japan, followed by Atlus releasing the game as Command in NA in spring 2008.

I've found the PPSSPP emulator runs Command just fine. Be sure to have the latest build which is 0.9.5

Windows 0.9.5 link


I've never been able to try PSP Ad Hoc multi player because I don't know anyone else who owns the game,
so for now I'm getting back into the campaign. Once I win the human side, I'll delve into the Bydo campaign.












NA trailer

intro CG movie

some gameplay


There was also a sequel, R-Type Tactics II: Operation Bitter Chocolate, released only in Japan.





It is more difficult and not exactly import friendly if you don't understand Japanese ( I don't) but it's playable if you can get familiar with the controls and especially if you're used to playing the NA release of the original. I've been too busy with other games, including NA Command, even though I imported Tactics II from NCS back in 2010. There is no English translation that I'm aware of.

[DJ Incompetent]

I enjoy turn-based strategy.
The mechanics are sound, but this game moves slow; board game slow.
The story is lousy, which is a tough sell for a single player mode in this genre.

[Sly Cherry Chunks]

I wish this was on PC. Mouse controls + mod tools.

[parallaxscroll2]

I enjoy turn-based strategy.
The mechanics are sound, but this game moves slow; board game slow.
The story is lousy, which is a tough sell for a single player mode in this genre.

For those not wanting to track down a UMD and/or are unsure if they want Command (I'm pretty sure the PSN digital download was taken down since Irem's collapse)
you can always find the ISO and use the PPSSPP emu. GameStop does not currently have it online, though it's $9.99 new / $2.99 used. Can be found on Amazon used for as low as $3.49.


Yeah, Command is indeed slow, however I've found that having the PSN download on a memory stick and running it on a PSP-2000 or later (with 64 MB RAM, for improved loading times) or emu'd in PPSSPP, either one with animations turned OFF, it's an enjoyable TBS experience. I can only imagine it being a much slower experience on an original fat PSP with animations ON.

[Damocles]

I really enjoyed this a few years ago. The Human campaign is much better than the Bydo. However, the premise of the Bydo campaign is quite interesting.

I'm still looking for high-res versions of the wallpaper/loading screens used in that game. Here's also hoping that someone, sometime, gets around to translating Bitter Chocolate.

[Pretas]

I think Bitter Chocolate either received a very small print run or was pulled off the shelves for some reason, as it might be the rarest PSP game in existence. Used copies on Ebay are going for over $150. It was released digitally, but it has since been removed from PSN.

Irem isn't dead yet, but I'd say they've finalized their departure from the video game industry and are now solely a pachinko company. (Never mind that they continue to release pachinko sims on 3DS, those hardly qualify as games.)

[parallaxscroll2]

I think Bitter Chocolate either received a very small print run or was pulled off the shelves for some reason, as it might be the rarest PSP game in existence. Used copies on Ebay are going for over $150. It was released digitally, but it has since been removed from PSN.

Glad I bought the UMD when it came out.

[Softdrink 117]

Command is a very enjoyable game. I think part of the reason it takes so long is because the enemy AI tries really, really hard. It's one of the few strategy games where I feel like the difficulty is caused by the computer being actually competent, and not just using overpowered/unfair units (though there is certainly some of that, too).

But yeah, don't have animations turned on unless you have infinite time.

[parallaxscroll2]

Command is a very enjoyable game. I think part of the reason it takes so long is because the enemy AI tries really, really hard. It's one of the few strategy games where I feel like the difficulty is caused by the computer being actually competent, and not just using overpowered/unfair units (though there is certainly some of that, too).

But yeah, don't have animations turned on unless you have infinite time.

I feel the same about the enemy AI, it plays pretty damn smart in most situations. Difficult yes, unfair no.

The only thing truly missing from the strategy is the Zone Of Control (ZOC) found in Hudson's Nectaris / Military Madness and Neo Nectaris / Military Madness 2 on any platform (PCE / TG-16 / PCE SCD / Duo / X68000 / Win95 / PS1 / Wii VC / 360 XBLA / PS3 PSN / iOS / Android etc.

If R-Type Tactics / Command and Tactics II had ZOC it would be even better than it already is IMHO.