R-Type Command

PlayStation exclusive

R-Type is reborn! As the war between humans and Bydo rages, the fate of two races will depend upon you. R-Type returns with bold, turn-based strategy gameplay! Build and command a fleet of warships and test your tactical skills against the most dangerous powers in the universe.

Released: 20 September 2007
Platforms: PlayStation Portable
Genres: Science Tactical Turn-based strategy
Developers: Irem
Publishers: Irem
Series: R-Type
Modes: Multiplayer Single-player
Perspective: Side view
Themes: Action Science fiction
Country: Japan
Age ratings: ESRB E10+

About

R-Type Tactics (アール・タイプタクティクス, Āru Taipu Takutikusu), known in North America as R-Type Command, is a turn-based strategy/tactical role-playing game released in 2007 in Japan, and 2008 in North America and Europe for PlayStation Portable. The main part of the game consists of two consecutive campaigns, in which the player controls first the forces of Earth, then the Bydo Empire. The gameplay is structured as a typical mission-based tactical role-playing game, but retains many of the specific traits of the R-Type series. The game also supports multiplayer combat via Wi-Fi.

The game received mixed reviews from critics. A sequel, R-Type Tactics II: Operation Bitter Chocolate, was released in 2009 exclusively in Japan. A remake of both games developed by Granzella, R-Type Tactics I • II Cosmos, was released for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S on March 12, 2026 in Japan and on June 18, 2026 internationally.

›Story

A mysterious alien race called the Bydo have begun a war with mankind and after losing waves after waves of enemy fighters in Bydo territory, Earth has sent a lone commander leading a small armada into the heart of the Bydo Empire to end the war.

Keywords

turn-based
death
digital distribution
tactical turn-based combat
leveling up
upgradeable weapons
party system
original soundtrack release
a.i. companion
monsters that look suspiciously like genitalia

Media

The articlegameplay, story, development, reception

Gameplay

R-Type Tactics has 58 levels, through which the player navigates an army of R-Type space fighters and support units, fighting the enemy forces of the Bydo.

The side-scrolling nature of the R-Type series is preserved in R-Type Tactics. Most levels are structured as in a side-scrolling shooter, with the player's units and the objective on opposite sides of the field. Units cannot change facing, which has an important impact on gameplay, as certain attacks can only be performed in one direction. Like other turn-based strategy games, the playing field is also divided into hexagons with varying effects.

Story

The game's narrative is viewed from the perspective of the player-character, who's an officer in Earth's defense forces, called the Space Corps, in the year MC 0065. Various entries in a journal also flesh out the plot.

Space Corps

Reception

The game received average reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic. At the high end, Destructoid said that the learning curve is not that steep and the various R-Type homages are a plus, while the loss of a reconnaissance unit could make or break the game. GameSpot's review contributed to the game offering a chance to play massive fleets but the loading times and the repetitive cutscenes were a drag. In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of 31 out of 40.