R-Type Final 2

R-Type Final 2 (アール・タイプ ファイナルツー) is a horizontal-scrolling shooter video game developed and published by Granzella. Part of Irem's long-running R-Type series, it is a sequel to R-Type Final released in 2004, and the first R-Type game in over a decade, after the release of R-Type Tactics II: Operation Bitter Chocolate in 2009. The game was released for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S on April 29, 2021. An updated version titled R-Type Final 3 Evolved (アール・タイプ ファイナルスリー エボルブド) was released for the PlayStation 5 on March 23, 2023.

The western versions of the game are published by NIS America. R-Type Final 2 is the first game in the series to be released outside of Japan since R-Type Dimensions in 2009. It was released on April 30, 2021, and Final 3 Evolved was released in late April 2023.

Development
On April 1, 2019, Granzella released a teaser trailer for R-Type Final 2. Later that day, the company confirmed via Twitter that the game was not an April Fools joke and was actively in development. A crowdfunding campaign was announced to be taking place in May, with an additional campaign also taking place in October the same year. The crowdfunding campaign ended on November 1, 2019, raising total of US$1,094,459 (¥118,673,775), to be develop in-game contents, including tribute battle stages from the previous R-TYPE titles, worldwide subtitles support. The developers has announced there will be rewards to give to those who contributed, they will receive different sets of gifts depends on the differ tiers funding they made in the project, these sets includes the Physical copy of the game, digital copy of the game, original soundtrack CD, hardcover art book, tee shirt, as well as the contributor's name to be featuring in the endgame credit. There are also 4 brand new player-ships for the title. The game is developed using Epic Games' Unreal Engine 4.

R-Type Final 2 is being produced by Goro Matsuo and designed by Kazuma Kujo. Kujo previously worked on R-Type Delta, R-Type Tactics and R-Type Final, as well as other titles like several games in the Disaster Report series. The game was released on April 29, 2021 in Japan, and on April 30, 2021 worldwide.

R-Type Final 3 Evolved
On June 18, 2021, Granzella Inc. confirmed the roadmap of updates with the free upgrade for R-Type Final 3 Evolved. On October 27, 2022, a website for R-Type Final 3 Evolved was revealed, announcing the game for PlayStation 5. The game brings back all stages from R-Type Final 2 and other stages from previous installments in the series fully remade in Unreal Engine 5 as well as seven stages personally made by designer Kazuma Kujo exclusive to the PlayStation 5. Other new features include a performance-based difficulty system, advanced customizations options for ships and pilots, global rankings, a virtual reality launch demo for the aircraft launch sequence, a new multiplayer mode that supports up to six players, and an online metaverse area called R Park. R Park serves as a lobby for the multiplayer mode where players can share strategies and compete in minigames for R Points that can be used for customization. On January 27, 2023, the game was officially announced to be released overseas by NIS America in April 28, 2023. A deluxe edition and special edition of the game were also made available for pre-order. The deluxe edition of the game includes a one-disc "Discovery" soundtrack and a softcover artbook. The special edition includes all content from the deluxe edition as well as a two-disc “Starfighter” soundtrack and an R-9A Arrowhead keychain light.

Reception
The PlayStation 4 version of R-Type Final 2 sold 8,693 physical copies within its first week on sale in Japan, and was the twelfth best-selling retail game of the week in the country. The Xbox Series X/S version of R-Type Final 2 received generally positive reviews, according to review aggregator website Metacritic. The PlayStation 4 and Switch versions of R-Type Final 2 received mixed or average reviews.