R-TYPE Dimensions is an updated version of R-TYPES 1 and 2. I downloaded the trial of the first level earlier. By pressing “Y” you can switch in real-time between the original 2-D in-game graphics and purty new 3-D vistas. It is 3-D in the way that R-type Delta and R-TYPE Final were – still side-scrolling but with 3-D sprites and scenery. It all looks bloody brilliant! Another cool thing about this is the addition of “Infinite Mode” which affords you infinite lives (R-TYPE games are notoriously hard and not particularly generous with extra lives). The best thing though, is that R-TYPE Dimensions allows you to play 2 player co-op on a single machine or using XBOX live. Not even R-TYPE Final (the terminal R-TYPE game on PS2) had this feature, it had only the baffling (and terribly disappointing) A.I. mode, where you sat and watched random spaceships fight while you wished you could actually fly them. Bugger that.

With this brand new R-TYPE news I’ve been reminded of my old R-type site. I thought it was lost in cyberspace, but here it is! OK, not terribly pretty, not compliant or exhaustive, but it was a nice little nostalgia trip for yours truly. I might think about renovating it when they decide Final wasn’t the last game in the series after all, and if Dimensions does well. I’d love there to be another new R-TYPE game as they’re so much fun to play!

As for Tomb Raider Underworld’s “Beneath the Ashes” add-on? well frankly, I’m not sure yet. I’ve read that it is set in Lara’s Mansion, (and juding by the name, after it burns down). Hopefully there’ll be some point to it. More on this when I learn more…

A nice bit of Nick Cave for you: