So it's been a long wait since the last update from Irem's long-awaited genre-switching of a franchise, but clearly development for R-Type Command is solid and underway. Our latest peek for anything R-Type-related drew up several new screenshots of the new tactical based rehash of R-Type, and though they aren't as large or as revealing of the up-close, 3D combat cutscenes, we'll take what we can get. Ten new screens pop up at the full story.

We recently released the latest screenshots of Atlus' upcoming R-Type Command for the PSP. In this update of ours right now, we have the video for the game which features the series' evolution from simple shooter to tactical strategy game for the PlayStation Portable. Check out the video after the jump!

NeoGAF forum member Kumiko Nikaido's piece of info revealed that Irem's PlayStation Portable video game R-Type Tactics is coming to North America on the first quarter of 2008. NeoGAF members are giving this rumor posting a close look because Nikaido has been known to be a viable source of info.

Irem implemented some changes to Tactics and made it more of a turn-based, hex-grid strategy game. Check out the rest of this rumor's details right after the jump!

The R-Type series has always been about giving the player the most intense horizontal shoot-em-up experience. Now, with game developer Irem's R-Type Tactics for the Sony PlayStation Portable coming out, things are looking just a bit less twitch-based, what with strategy going into the mix, though it's still the same Bydo-blasting action we all know and love. We see all these in action with this massive screenshot update of Irem's latest tactical title.

While it has always been awesome to control one of the legendary R-Types in an epic mission to force the Bydo Empire back to whatever depths of space it came from, R-Type Tactics pushes the mythos one step further by letting the player control - strategically - multiple R-Types at once, each with its own Force pods, to blast anything and everything into smithereens. Yours truly likes the particular screenshot with an R-Type squadron firing charged shots in unison. Talk about making a statement with an opening salvo.

More screenshots of Irem's R-Type Tactics for the Sony PSP at the full article!

Irem's R-Type Tactics for the PSP, released last September 20 in Japan, is a turn-based strategy game equipped with the whole side-scroller feel of its predecessors. We know that's pretty hard to believe, so these two videos may convince you.

The intro video looks very well made and show both the Bydo and R-Type forces gearing up for conflict. The strategic gameplay video on the other hand shows the similarities between this game and its forefathers quite distinctly. It also showcases some basic movement and fire tactics that experienced players may recognize.

Fans of the series will be pleased to see that R-Type Tactics features over 100 different vehicles like the R9 fighters and the large carrier ships which resupplies and repairs units. In addition to this, gamers will also have a blast facing off against some of the original bosses from previous R-Type video games.

If you're thinking about picking up this game, you're going to have to import it because it was never released outside of Japan. To help you decide if the game is worth it, check out the two videos.

The gameplay video can be found in the full article.

 

When we usually think of R-Type, we think of Irem's side-scrolling shooter series. Well, Irem surprised everyone by announcing R-Type Tactics, a turn-based strategy game based on the R-Type series, and it certainly does promise to bring intergalactic war to PSPs everywhere.

Well, JeuxFrance has some new screens up for the series, featuring both the Bydo and the R-Type forces, as well as info screens on units from both sides. They certainly bring some memories back, at least, especially when I see the very first R-Type get its time in the spotlight once again.

In any case, below are the rest of the screenshots. Expect to hear more from this game once we get word of it, but don't worry: it'll be coming out this year in Japan. Enjoy!

  

More screenshots after the jump!

Yep, you read that title right. The classic R-Type shooter is going the way of numerous RPGs before it for its outing on Sony's PSP handheld system. For R-Type Tactics, Irem has opted for a hexagonal-based combat system but the game still retains a lot of the elements found in a traditional shooting game.

The side-scrolling perspective is still here, but instead of being able to move freely, players and the enemy must take turns moving across a grid. When you perform an attack, the view switches to an effects-filled action sequence. Some of the game's weapons and boss characters will also be familiar to most fans.

R-Type Tactics has a variety of gameplay modes. Of course, the reliable old single-player mission mode is there, as well as an ad-hoc-based battle mode for those who love multiplayer battles.

The game is currently slated for a Japan release later this year. No news yet on a stateside release, but we'll keep you posted. For now, check out the screenshots below courtesy of JeuxFrance. For the game's official site, click here.

   

More screenshots after the jump!

 

Apparently, if you combine the end of the R-Type franchise, the rebirth of said franchise, and strategic enhancements to gameplay, you're bound to get something along the lines of R-Type Tactics. As the name implies, Irem is sticking to their guns when they said R-Type Final was the last game in the shooter series, but it didn't mean that R-Type couldn't be used for other things.

Sneaky, sneaky.

This scan from The Next Level forums isn't very clear, but you do get some idea of what to expect. Hex-based movement of ships, strategic battles against aliens... and a lot of firepower. Imagine all of that strategic action on your PlayStation Portable, and you can see the potential here.

Sure, it's not what twitch shooter fans were expecting, but you can't say it isn't an interesting turn of events for Irem's beloved classic game. Besides, they did say they were working on a sci-fi strategy game. Can you think of anything more sci-fi in Irem's arsenal than R-Type?