I recently got a chance to play around an hour of R-Type Tactics I • II Cosmos, thanks to a review copy provided by NIS America. You can find my gameplay video of the game running on a PlayStation 5 Pro below:
You can find my first impressions of the remastered collection below:
Pros:
- Unique turn-based strategy game based on R-Type.
- Includes R-Type Tactics I and R-Type Tactics II, the latter of which is releasing outside of Japan for the first time.
- Remastered graphics added voice overs help modernize the presentation.
Cons:
- Lack of a real tutorial.
Overall:
R-Type Tactics I • II Cosmos comes with both R-Type Tactics and R-Type Tactics II: Operation Bitter Chocolate, the latter of which is finally available outside of Japan. Not to mention, the collection also comes with brand new levels not found in either of the two games.
Originally PSP games, both R-Type Tactics and R-Type Tactics II: Operation Bitter Chocolate have been wonderfully remastered with graphics that look great on a 4K screen. The added voice overs during the diary entries also adds to the immersion.
The only negative I encountered so far is the lack of a real tutorial. While the game provides hints, these aren’t nearly enough to teach you the basics.
It took me several tries in the tutorial to understand some of the elements such as charging your more powerful weapons, preventing the enemy from charging theirs, docking your ships into the cargo to heal. None of these were explained by the game.
If you don’t mind the steep learning curve due to an adequate tutorial, then R-Type Tactics I • II Cosmos is a great collection if you are a fan of R-Type and/or turned based strategy games.