Difference between revisions of "R-Type"

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[[Image:Rtype cover.jpg|thumb|200px|R-Type game cover]]
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{| align="right" valign="top"
 +
|{{Infobox Game
 +
|Image = [[Image:Rtype.png|center|300px|Titlescreen of the game]]
 +
|Company = [[Electric Dreams]]
 +
|Developer = [[Keith A. Goodyer]], [[Coder]], [[Coder]]
 +
|Publisher = [[Publisher Company]]
 +
|Musician = [[Richard Stevenson]]
 +
|Release = [[Category:Games 1988|1988]]
 +
|Platform = [[Amiga]], [[Amstrad CPC|CPC]], [[Atari ST]], [[Commodore 64|C64]], [[Game Boy]], [[MSX]], [[SEGA Master System]], [[TurboGrafx-16]], [[ZX Spectrum]]
 +
|Genre = Action
 +
|GameModes = {{Single player}}
 +
|Controls = {{Keyboard}} {{Joystick}}
 +
|Media = {{Disk}} {{Tape}}
 +
|Language = {{EN}}
 +
|Info = Remake 2012
 +
}}
 +
|}
  
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R-Type is a classical and cult Shoot'em up  ported from the famous IREM's arcade game with the same name, released in 1987.
 
  
−
It was ported on almost every computer of the era. And was released on Amstrad CPC in 1988.
+
R-Type is a classic and cult Shoot'em up  ported from the famous IREM's arcade game with the same name, released in 1987.  
  
−
And despite being good, it remains an awfull [[Speccy Port]].
+
It was ported on almost every computer of the era and was released on Amstrad CPC in 1988. Despite being good, it remains an case of [[Speccy Port]].
  
  
−
'''''You make one little mistake in your life and the internet will never let you live it down....'''''
+
'''''You make one little mistake in your life and the internet will never let you live it down.... Electric Dreams / Activision gave me 21 days to do the port. I wish i had the time to do a nice mode 0 port with new graphics, but alas it was never to be.'''''
  
−
'''''Electric Dreams / Activision gave me 21 days to do the port. I wish i had the time to do a nice mode 0 port with new graphics, but alas it was never to be.'''''
+
''Keith A Goodyer at [http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?topic=699.msg5756#msg5756 CPCwiki forum], 02/25/2010 ''
  
−
''Keith A Goodyer at CPCwiki forum, 02/25/2010 ''
+
'''''The completed Spectrum version - including the source code - was handed over on September 16th 1988 (Activision didn't quite get it that day but that's another story). This was the first day of the PCW show at Earls Court in London and Activision had press releases stating that the release date for this, and for the original Amstrad CPC version, would be November 1988. Keith received the source code the following week and started work immediately on the conversion (after a phone call or two) which means that, allowing for the 21 days it took to complete the conversion, the original CPC version was finished mid October.'''''
  
−
 
+
''Bob Pape at [http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?topic=699.msg31597#msg31597 CPCWiki forum], 03/10/2011
−
==Game's Informations==
+
−
 
+
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Company : Electric Dreams
+
−
 
+
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Original game by : Bob PAPE
+
−
 
+
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CPC version programmed/ported by : Keith A. GOODYER
+
−
 
+
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Graphics by : MAK COMPUTER GRAPHICS, VIDEO IMAGES
+
−
 
+
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Sound effects by : Richard STEVENSON
+
  
 
==The Fluff==
 
==The Fluff==
Line 37: Line 41:
 
==The Game==
 
==The Game==
  
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Considered nowadays as a classical horizontal shooter, R-Type introduced two revolutionnary concepts in gameplay :
+
Considered nowadays as a classical horizontal shooter, R-Type introduced two revolutionary concepts in gameplay :
  
  
Line 47: Line 51:
  
  
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If not the first , R-Type was one of the first to introduce features like specific "super" enemies at end of each level called "Boss" , the well known  giant battleship or destructibles levels.
 
  
−
 
+
With gorgeous "Gigerish" graphics , unforgeable soundtrack , perfect gameplay and innovative level design , R-Type became a legend of the video game.There are a lot of clones and sequels , and a lot of shooters were (and still are) inspired by this game.
−
With gorgeous "Gigerish" graphics , unforgetable soundtrack , perfect gameplay and innovant level design , R-Type became a legend of the video game.There are a lot of clones and sequels , a lot of shooters got inspiration from this game.
+
  
 
==The Port==
 
==The Port==
Line 56: Line 58:
 
As said above, R-Type on CPC was a Speccy port.
 
As said above, R-Type on CPC was a Speccy port.
  
−
Yet because the spectrum version was perhaps one of the best in the 8 bit area (and many say the best speccy game ever), the Amstrad version remained playable, fun, yet so disapointing... and by far inferior to the Spectrum's one.
+
Yet because the spectrum version was perhaps one of the best in the 8 bit area (and many say the best speccy game ever), the Amstrad version remained playable, fun, yet maybe disappointing and inferior to the Spectrum original:
  
−
It is well known the Amstrad R-Type is perhaps the worst version ever, yet this game remains good.
+
*Animation is a bit sluggish, lacking the smooth moves and precision.
 +
*Scrolling is a bit cascaded.
 +
*Backgrounds are mono-coloured (a classical Speccy port feature) despite the Mode 1 screen displaying 5 colours
 +
*As usual, a Raster is included, to no effect
 +
*Sprites manage to feature a bit more colours, yet are afflicted by pseudo colour attributes : 8x8 pixels tiles were 1 bit coded, but sprites could feature different inks
 +
*Sprites are not masked either, as unmasked sprites were a trick to avoid Colour Clashes on ZX spectrum
 +
*Thankfully, it still features no colour clashes.
 +
*A code analysis by [[Arnoldemu]] showed that double buffer is not used, and screen is located from &0040. &5800 even has attribute data just like on a real spectrum. &7800 has a copy of the attribute data (maybe double buffered so colours can be changed and then updated quickly). Screen is only updated where necessary. it is possible that the same programmer worked on both the Spectrum and Amstrad version, with the process being: start with the Spectrum version, remove some colours because the cpc can only display 4 colours in mode 1 (without using raster tricks), use 90% Spectrum code and convert graphics at runtime into CPC form colouring them as you do this. The result is R-type. This explains why the colours are bad and why the game is so slow.
  
−
 
+
It is of note that the speccy version was itself ported (graphically) from the Atari ST version.  
−
Animation was a bit sluggish, lacked the smooth moves and precision.
+
−
 
+
−
Scrolling was a bit saccaded.
+
−
 
+
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Backgrounds were mono-coloured (a classical Speccy port feature) despite the Mode 1 screen displaying 5 colours...(maybe six...sometimes ?)
+
−
 
+
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As usual, a Raster is included, just for nothing !
+
−
 
+
−
Sprites managed to feature a bit more colours, yet were afflicted by pseudo colour attributes : 8x8 pixels tiles were 1 bit coded, but sprites could feature different inks.
+
−
 
+
−
Sprites were not masked too, as unmasked sprites were a trick to avoid Colour Clashes on ZX spectrum...
+
−
 
+
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Thanksfully, it still features no colour clashes.
+
−
 
+
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*Comment from Arnoldemu: I looked at the code to discover why R-Type was like this.
+
−
Double buffer is not used, screen is located from &0040. &5800 even has attribute data just like on a real spectrum. &7800 has a copy of the attribute data (maybe double buffered so colours can be changed and then updated quickly). Screen is only updated where necessary. I think the same programmer worked on both the Spectrum and Amstrad version. Ok, start with the Spectrum version, remove some colours because the cpc can only display 4 colours in mode 1 (without using raster tricks), now use 90% Spectrum code and convert graphics at runtime into CPC form colouring them as you do this. The result is R-type. This explains all.. it explains why the colours are bad and why the game is so slow.
+
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+
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+
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'''It is also to notice that the speccy version was itself ported (graphically) from the Atari ST version.'''
+
−
 
+
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Yet the bad part : it came to Amstrad CPC from the AtariST, but stoped a byte at the Speccy before...
+
  
 
==The good Aspects==
 
==The good Aspects==
Line 87: Line 75:
 
As said the Spectrum version was good.
 
As said the Spectrum version was good.
  
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The main reason was because it was so close and faithfull to the Arcade version (the original).
+
The main reason was because it was so close and faithfull to the Arcade original version.
  
−
* In graphics : the fine square pixels (Mode 1) allows fine details.
+
* In graphics : the fine square pixels (Mode 1) allow fine details.
−
* In Gameplay : most enemies patterns were closely respected.
+
* In Gameplay : most enemies patterns are closely respected.
  
 
As a result, even the humble Amstrad version was very close to the Arcade, at least in gameplay (even sometimes more than the c64 version).
 
As a result, even the humble Amstrad version was very close to the Arcade, at least in gameplay (even sometimes more than the c64 version).
  
−
Also the Amstrad version did include good sound effects too... yet they were too few (and no real music).
+
Also the Amstrad version did include good (though sparse) sound effects too. It is also of note that the game is quite big, as it includes the full 8, challenging levels.
  
−
It is also notable that the game was quite voluminous, as it included the full 8 levels... and very challenging too.
+
Last but not least, the intro screen is in Mode0 and quite nice.
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+
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Last but not least, the intro screen was in Mode0 and quite nice.
+
  
 
== Screenshots ==
 
== Screenshots ==
Line 108: Line 94:
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
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Good exemple of pure fail:
+
==The Cure==
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*mono colour backgrounds
+
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*unmasked sprites.
+
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*colour attributes.
+
  
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Yet the original design were faithfully ported and still awesome.
+
Being attribute based animated, R-Type was of course a bit short on 464/664 config (=64K RAM) to get properly recoded in 2bpp graphic data.
 +
Yet a 128K RAM version can actually benefit from such true Amstrad CPC graphics and display 4 colours per 8x8 character (mode1) or 16 colours per 4x8 characters (mode0, wider pixels).
  
−
==The Cure==
+
However, the single coder who did the port in 3 weeks simply couldn't do that because he had no graphician to re-do the graphics  and no 128K version was actually planned.
 +
 
 +
 
 +
'''How it is :'''
  
 
[[File:RType original level 2 Cpc.gif|800px]]
 
[[File:RType original level 2 Cpc.gif|800px]]
Line 121: Line 108:
 
Original Level 2.
 
Original Level 2.
  
 +
 +
'''How it could be:'''
  
 
[[File:Level2 plus.bmp|800px]]
 
[[File:Level2 plus.bmp|800px]]
Line 126: Line 115:
 
Level 2 mock-up, redesigned by MacDeath.
 
Level 2 mock-up, redesigned by MacDeath.
  
 +
 +
'''What will be:'''
  
 
[[File:Rtype128k_stage2.png|800px]]
 
[[File:Rtype128k_stage2.png|800px]]
  
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Stage 2 map from upcoming 128k version by Easter Egg.
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Stage 2 map from the 128k version by Easter Egg.
  
  
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[[File:Carnivac games-r type-mode0.png]]
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[[File:Carnivac games-r type-mode0.png]]  
  
 
Mode 0 mock-up, courtesy of Carnivac Games.
 
Mode 0 mock-up, courtesy of Carnivac Games.
 +
 +
 +
{{#ev:youtube|C_GDjT1tivo|360}}
 +
 +
Stage 1 video preview (original vs 128k), by Xyphoe.
  
 
== Game map ==  
 
== Game map ==  
Line 159: Line 155:
  
 
*{{CPCPower|1848}}
 
*{{CPCPower|1848}}
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*[http://www.irem.co.jp/e/official/r/index.html Official R-Type page at Irem web site]
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*{{CPCPower|7174}} (128k version)
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*[http://www.sitedesteph.freesurf.fr/rtype/index.php A good site in French]
+
 
*{{EnWiki}}
 
*{{EnWiki}}
 +
*Official R-Type page at Irem web site no more exist
  
 
[[Category:Games]]
 
[[Category:Games]]
Line 167: Line 163:
 
[[Category:Video contents]]
 
[[Category:Video contents]]
 
[[Category:Shoot them Up]]
 
[[Category:Shoot them Up]]
 +
[[Category:Extended RAM Software]]
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[[Category:Arcade]]
 +
[[Category:Arcade Port]]

Latest revision as of 13:16, 30 March 2020

R-Type
Titlescreen of the game
Developer Keith A. Goodyer, Coder, Coder
Company Electric Dreams
Publisher Publisher Company
Musician Richard Stevenson
Release
Platform(s) Amiga, CPC, Atari ST, C64, Game Boy, MSX, SEGA Master System, TurboGrafx-16, ZX Spectrum
Genre Action
OS
Game Modes Template:Single player
Controls Keyboard Joystick
Media disk Cassette
Language Language:english
Information Remake 2012


R-Type is a classic and cult Shoot'em up ported from the famous IREM's arcade game with the same name, released in 1987.

It was ported on almost every computer of the era and was released on Amstrad CPC in 1988. Despite being good, it remains an case of Speccy Port.


You make one little mistake in your life and the internet will never let you live it down.... Electric Dreams / Activision gave me 21 days to do the port. I wish i had the time to do a nice mode 0 port with new graphics, but alas it was never to be.

Keith A Goodyer at CPCwiki forum, 02/25/2010

The completed Spectrum version - including the source code - was handed over on September 16th 1988 (Activision didn't quite get it that day but that's another story). This was the first day of the PCW show at Earls Court in London and Activision had press releases stating that the release date for this, and for the original Amstrad CPC version, would be November 1988. Keith received the source code the following week and started work immediately on the conversion (after a phone call or two) which means that, allowing for the 21 days it took to complete the conversion, the original CPC version was finished mid October.

Bob Pape at CPCWiki forum, 03/10/2011

The Fluff

  • The mission : defend the human race against the BYDO threat.
  • The weapon : the R-9 spacefighter, equiped with "the Force", a fragment of Bydo flesh.
  • The game : R-Type.

Blast off and strike the evil Bydo empire!

The Game

Considered nowadays as a classical horizontal shooter, R-Type introduced two revolutionary concepts in gameplay :


  • Extra module named "Force" that can be docked on front or behind the player ship.
  • Loaded shot named "Beam".When you are loading the Beam , its power grows but you can not shot (except additionnal missiles)


The mastery of theses features is required if you want to master the game itself.


With gorgeous "Gigerish" graphics , unforgeable soundtrack , perfect gameplay and innovative level design , R-Type became a legend of the video game.There are a lot of clones and sequels , and a lot of shooters were (and still are) inspired by this game.

The Port

As said above, R-Type on CPC was a Speccy port.

Yet because the spectrum version was perhaps one of the best in the 8 bit area (and many say the best speccy game ever), the Amstrad version remained playable, fun, yet maybe disappointing and inferior to the Spectrum original:

  • Animation is a bit sluggish, lacking the smooth moves and precision.
  • Scrolling is a bit cascaded.
  • Backgrounds are mono-coloured (a classical Speccy port feature) despite the Mode 1 screen displaying 5 colours
  • As usual, a Raster is included, to no effect
  • Sprites manage to feature a bit more colours, yet are afflicted by pseudo colour attributes : 8x8 pixels tiles were 1 bit coded, but sprites could feature different inks
  • Sprites are not masked either, as unmasked sprites were a trick to avoid Colour Clashes on ZX spectrum
  • Thankfully, it still features no colour clashes.
  • A code analysis by Arnoldemu showed that double buffer is not used, and screen is located from &0040. &5800 even has attribute data just like on a real spectrum. &7800 has a copy of the attribute data (maybe double buffered so colours can be changed and then updated quickly). Screen is only updated where necessary. it is possible that the same programmer worked on both the Spectrum and Amstrad version, with the process being: start with the Spectrum version, remove some colours because the cpc can only display 4 colours in mode 1 (without using raster tricks), use 90% Spectrum code and convert graphics at runtime into CPC form colouring them as you do this. The result is R-type. This explains why the colours are bad and why the game is so slow.

It is of note that the speccy version was itself ported (graphically) from the Atari ST version.

The good Aspects

As said the Spectrum version was good.

The main reason was because it was so close and faithfull to the Arcade original version.

  • In graphics : the fine square pixels (Mode 1) allow fine details.
  • In Gameplay : most enemies patterns are closely respected.

As a result, even the humble Amstrad version was very close to the Arcade, at least in gameplay (even sometimes more than the c64 version).

Also the Amstrad version did include good (though sparse) sound effects too. It is also of note that the game is quite big, as it includes the full 8, challenging levels.

Last but not least, the intro screen is in Mode0 and quite nice.

Screenshots

  • Intro screen

  • Level 1

  • Level 8

The Cure

Being attribute based animated, R-Type was of course a bit short on 464/664 config (=64K RAM) to get properly recoded in 2bpp graphic data. Yet a 128K RAM version can actually benefit from such true Amstrad CPC graphics and display 4 colours per 8x8 character (mode1) or 16 colours per 4x8 characters (mode0, wider pixels).

However, the single coder who did the port in 3 weeks simply couldn't do that because he had no graphician to re-do the graphics and no 128K version was actually planned.


How it is :

RType original level 2 Cpc.gif

Original Level 2.


How it could be:

Level2 plus.bmp

Level 2 mock-up, redesigned by MacDeath.


What will be:

Rtype128k stage2.png

Stage 2 map from the 128k version by Easter Egg.


Carnivac games-r type-mode0.png

Mode 0 mock-up, courtesy of Carnivac Games.


{{#ev:youtube|C_GDjT1tivo|360}}

Stage 1 video preview (original vs 128k), by Xyphoe.

Game map

  • R-Type game map
  • Rtype map.jpg

Longplay videos

source : Youtube.

{{#ev:youtube|t2Vo8dbBJig|300}} {{#ev:youtube|G3UWCzzk2To|300}} {{#ev:youtube|CmnBO8j7IQY|300}} {{#ev:youtube|uxMz7EEDzjQ|300}} {{#ev:youtube|Db2MPcuFwn4|300}} {{#ev:youtube|oGbL5Da9NE8|300}} {{#ev:youtube|arINXwvGdzQ|300}} {{#ev:youtube|biTJY89DT0s|300}}


Links

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