R-Type Command’s controls are sleek and efficient, and it’s filled with nice touches like the ability to change the loading screen image or turn off the little cut scenes that play during battle. The balance is slightly odd; materials to build new units are a bit scarce, machine guns are utterly useless, and force units seem far more valuable when not attached to a fighter, which seems backwards.

Also, while we love the idea of two-player Ad Hoc battles, we had a hard time getting through a match here in the GR offices without losing connection – and our PSPs were four feet apart. Your mileage may vary and it could be some weird hardware or firmware thing (we hope), but consider yourself warned.

Even if you only play the massive single player campaign, R-Type Command is a breath of fresh air in an industry filled with “me too” knock-offs and umpteenth sequels. Unless you’re a hardcore adrenaline junkie, you really shouldn’t pass this one up.

May 8, 2008