Today Granzella launched the previously-announced Kickstarter campaign of its upcoming R-Type revival, titled R-Type Final 2.
The campaign aims to bring back the game for PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC, with a delivery date of December 2020.
If you’re unfamiliar with the name Granzella, they’re behind the Disaster Report series. Producer Kazuma worked at Irem on Kujo R-Type Final, R-Type Command, and R-Type II.
Here’s how they describe the project.
“We are licensed by Irem Software Engineering Inc.and about to make a new title of the legendary side-scrolling shooter game, R-Type.
The psychological tug-of-war with enemies, the unique level designs, and the exhilarating feeling that have been polished up by the franchise will further evolve on a 16:9 widescreen.
We’ll pursue uniqueness of the fighters and coolness of attacks that appeared in R-Type Final. In addition, more customizable elements for fighters will be available. You will be able to change the coloring, types of weapons, and decals.
Sometimes people would say R-Type is “too tough to play”. R-Type Final 2 will make a wider range of difficulty levels available to players with different skill levels. The higher the difficulty level you play, the more points you will gain. This will enable players to compete with R-Type pilots from all over the world.”
We also get more details on what the developer is trying to achieve.
“Now that the widescreen aspect ratio of 16:9 has become standard, side-scrolling shooter games will evolve into something more exciting.
Wave Cannon attacks by trans-dimensional fighters equipped with firepower equivalent of that of a battleship. This game is thoroughly focused on expressions of how enemies are destroyed.
The feeling of exhilaration in the destructions is thoroughly pursued.
The Stage Dominated by Decaying Organism.
As new enemies are generated from carcasses of the enemies, the more the player plays the game, the stronger enemies he or she gets. Not only the player’s fighter but also the stages will evolve. That’s R-Type Final 2.We prepare 10 or more original R-Type Final 2 stages from the start.
Moreover, new stages are planned to be added after the release of the game.
In addition, depending on the results of our crowdfunding campaign, more stages will be added as homages to famous stages of the past R-Type series.The gameplay in which players make full use of Wave Cannon and Force to defeat formidable enemies remains alive.
The game will be carefully created to bring about maneuvering and game development that are unique qualities of side-scrolling shooter games.
Not only the enemy’s shots but also tactics relating to geographical features, as well as ramming attacks by giant enemies pose a threat to the player’s fighter. The tension and thrill of cutting his or her way through huge enemies is something that only R-Type can offer.”
Of course, being a Kickstarter campaign, there is an inevitable goal to achieve, and it’s set at 45 million yen. That translates to $415,215. In just over an hour, the campaign already gathered 4.4 million yen from 270 backers.
Incidentally, Granzella appears to be quite confident, as they set a very close deadline, 7 days. If you want to contribute yourself, you can find the campaign on Kickstarter.
A trailer has been released in order to set the mood.
There are also plenty of stretch goals, and you can find them below.
The game was announced n April 1st, prompting most to believe that the reveal was simply a prank. As it turns out, it’s real and Granzella appears to be very serious about it.
Will they make it in seven days? That’s the only question for now.
