R-Type Leo is a horizontal-scrolling shooter that is part of the R-Type series. The plot involves a man-made mechanical planet named Eden, which after its supercomputer core called Major begins to malfunction, uses its defense systems and machines to destroy what is left of mankind. In response, a starfighter named the Leo is deployed to destroy Eden. Leo features gameplay similar to its predecessors; the player flies through each stage, destroying constantly-moving formations of enemies and avoiding their projectiles and stage obstacles. There are six stages total, which become progressively more difficult as the player progresses. Stages include deserts, tropical jungles, and abandoned space battleships. Each stage also has a massive boss that must be defeated by destroying its weak point. Leo features multiple deviations from the R-Type gameplay structure. The most notable change is the removal of the Force, a shield item from previous installments that also acted as an additional source of firepower. The player is instead given two Psy-Bit satellites that follow them and fire at enemies. There are power-ups that can be collected to grant the Leo access to new weapons. Weapon types include a powerful laser beam, a homing shot, and a laser that reflects off of walls.
Development and release
R-Type Leo was initially an original shoot 'em up game in development by Nanao before Irem retooled it into an R-Type project instead. Atsushi Inaba, currently of PlatinumGames, was involved in the development of the project before joining Nazca Corporation with other ex-Irem members. The game was first released in arcades in November 1992, running on the Irem M-92 board. The title was later re-released in 2010 as part of Dotemu's Irem Arcade Hits compilation for Microsoft Windows. In a 2019 interview, M2 CEO Naoki Horii stated that the company wanted to develop a Sega Mega Drive version of R-Type Leo but the plan was rejected by Sega.
Reception
R-Type Leo was met with positive reception from reviewers since its release in arcades. Electronic Gaming Monthly praised the inclusion of cooperative multiplayer, visuals, sound design, gameplay and bosses. In Japan, Game Machine listed the game on their February 1, 1993 issue as being the eigteenth most-successful table arcade unit of the year. French magazineJoypad praised the graphics and music highly. Consoles + regarded the title as an "excellent shooting game". Andreas Kanuf of German magazine Video Games gave it an overall positive outlook. Kurt Kalata of Hardcore Gaming 101 praised its visuals and sound design but noted the lack of "careful design and required strategy" from previous R-Type entries. Metal Slug co-designer Kazuma Kujo regarded R-Type Leo to be "quite innovative for an R-Type game, and it was well done for a shooter, but it doesn’t quite feel like an R-Type game".
