R-Type Leo

The Good
R-Type Leo is the third arcade instalment in the R-Type family, and Irem decided to tweak the gameplay a bit. The plot of the game does not involve the Bydo Empire, but rather a bio-mechanical computer that has taken control of an artificial planet. In addition, The Force in which we know and love has been replaced by Psy-Bits, powerful weapons capable of homing in on enemies, destroying them with flames. They also work as shields against enemy projectiles.

Despite these shortcomings, R-Type Leo plays exactly the same as its predecessors. You still have to fight hordes of enemies through a number of stages and defeat a boss guardian at the end of each one. Power-ups obtained through each stage increase your firepower, and what it does depends on their color. These power-ups change colors as time elapses. You can also collect speed boosts and semi-homing missiles.

All this intense action is accompanied by gorgeous backdrops (especially those in the first stage), and some of these are animated. Your firepower is impressive, and each boss is drawn nicely. I found the size of the laser beams they use are huge. The background music that serves each stage has that techno feel to it, blending in with the game’s theme.

Unlike the other two games, Irem decided to drop the “Super Game Mode” or whatever it is called, that is triggered when you complete the game. You just see the end sequence followed by the credits after it. I like how the credits and the victory text is side by side, and I believe this has never been done before.

The Bad
There is nothing bad about this game.

The Bottom Line
R-Type Leo is the third game in Irem's classic shooter series, but tweaks have been made to the gameplay. The plot involving the Bydo Empire has been dropped and small weapons known as "Psy-Bits" replace The Force. Other than this, the game plays like the first two. The graphics and sound are excellent, and there is no Super Game Mode this time. Excellent all round.