Overview

The R-Type series is one of the longest running series of shooters, spanning multiple games between 1987's R-Type for Arcades to 2009's R-Type Tactics II for PSP. Irem celebrated the series' musical history with a compilation album given as a bonus to those who pre-ordered the aforementioned PSP game.

Body

The series' music started rather humbly with Masato Ishizaki's tunes for the original R-Type. Of the selections featured here, the first stage theme sets the foundations for the series with a punchy techno anthem, while the boss and third stage theme are dominated by dark industrial soundscaping. These tracks are espectable for what they achieved with limited technology, but are too superficial and underdeveloped to be particularly enjoyable. Fortunately, Masahiko Ishida managed to elaborate on these foundations on the sequel, released two years later. There are only two selections from this score, but they're solid ones. The first stage theme is similar to its predecessor, but is more fast-paced, catchy, and focused, while the second stage theme featured spectacular development for its day.

Beyond these classic scores, the compilation album has quite a lot to offer. Ikuko Mimori's two featured stage themes for R-Type III exploit the enhanced technological capacity of the Super Nintendo to offer exhilarating rock-based themes. Furthermore, the colourful funk-based soundscapes of the first stage track from R-Type Leo are a welcome addition to the experience. Surprisingly, even the score for Image Fight gets referenced with two decent funk-influenced tracks. While all these selections are fine, they still only reference a small part of series' music and leave listeners desiring more. In particular, the omission of the more intense and moody themes for the boss and final stage themes is disappointing.

Perhaps the most artistically impressive score for the series is R-Type Delta. There's something particularly enpowering about the synthy fusions featured on the first stage theme, while the boss theme certainly captures the image of a mechanical beast in outer space. Both make the most of the opportunities offered by the PlayStation. However, some of the most emotional themes from the title are omitted here, including the sublime final stage theme. Less impressive are the selections from R-Type Final and R-Type Command by Yuki Iwai, with the exception of "Stupefaction". These tracks feature some stunning electronic sampling, resulting in a particularly cinematic and otherworld sound, yet are built on such repetitive elements that they don't appeal on a stand-alone basis.

Summary

Overall, this is a decent compilation of fan and industry favourites that reflects the series' considerable musical development over the years. However, it definitely leaves one wanting much more and it'd be better to experience these scores in full through the series' newly released soundtrack compilation. While this album was a nice pre-order bonus, it has now become obsolete.