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Thunder Force IV - The Greatest SHMUP of the 16-bit Generation
SHMUP Master Presents: Thunder Force IV!
In this video I show you why Thunder Force IV is one of the greatest 16-bit SHMUPS of all time. From a detailed examination of the game itself, to an epic boss rush at the end. You've probably never seen a Retro Gaming video quite like this before.
This video also features original covers of 5 songs featured in the game including the classic Metal Squad. Played on screaming heavy metal guitar by Julian Kogasu.
Feedback and suggestions for future videos are always welcomed!
*95% of footage was captured on a model 1 Sega Genesis console (modded for PAL play) through a Framemeister using RGB at 60fps.
Also, please visit www.gamingrebel.... The official home of SHMUP Master!
Пікірлер: 507
[Coury] Amazing video for an amazing game. Believe me, I see all that precise keyframing on the sprites and absolutely feel your pain. Masterfully done - the definitive video on this game.
@THESHMUPMASTER
7 жыл бұрын
Haha! I'm glad you can appreciate the insanity of my key framing. If anyone could it would be you guys! Also, what you said really means a lot coming from you Coury. I mentioned this on Twitter, but you guys were a HUGE influence on me and were one of the reasons I brought this series back after a year and a half hiatus. The videos you guys produce inspired me to do my absolute best and challenge myself as much as I could. I'm sure you may notice stylistic touches I used that were similar to ones used in your vids, that was no accident! :D I have you guys to thank for introducing me to RGB and making what I do now possible. I really appreciate that and really appreciate you taking the time to watch my video and leave the amazing comment you did. Thanks again and I can't wait to see where My Life In Gaming continues to go in the future.
@aaronbuffalo7769
7 жыл бұрын
the boss rushs at the end was hilarious, but yea solid video and great work, I always want to do stuff like this but don't really have the tech savvy to pull it off. I follow also Pixelmusement aka Ancient dos games, his work is awesome too and covers my other favourites www.pixelships.com/adg/
@l30S3UX
5 жыл бұрын
If "my life on gaming" say so I believe
@sudacagamer
4 жыл бұрын
@@l30S3UX You may try having your own opinion. Where`s your self respect?
@ichangedmyname4108
3 жыл бұрын
i agree, i still remember that bangin fuckin intro, i think my favourite boss has to be the fighting around the battlecruiser and then that thing jumps out of it. I tried it on an emulator a year ago and the slowddown killed my enjoyment. I guess a ryzen 7 and a 2080 super isn't powerful enough to run this game.
Not only is it one of the greatest 16 bit shoot 'em ups of all time but technosoft were actually one of the few companies who cared enough about their games to make sure it was optimised to run in 50hz in europe. Great video man.
@THESHMUPMASTER
6 жыл бұрын
Consoletronix Yup! I mentioned that in the video 😉
Something modern gamers and modern game devs need to learn Complex game-play doesn't always mean better game-play
@paxhumana2015
3 жыл бұрын
@TurquoisePaladin, but being simple as fuck does not always mean good game play either.
@HexenStar
2 жыл бұрын
@@paxhumana2015 "Everything ingenious is simple".
@HexenStar
2 жыл бұрын
Absolutely. It is rather the opposite, as it impacts many qualities of a game, including replayability. One thing a great game developer must understand, is what the game does NOT need to be, way before considering what it does. Every genre has its own signature traits that make the said genre attractive to the player. Failure to grasp and understand these canons, just as straying away from them - is a one-way ticket into an epic blunder or a forgettable mess. That still holds true even if the game combines a number of genres. "Genius is taking something complex, and making it simple".
Thunder Force IV, holy hell what a game. Imo the best 16-bit shooter, with Musha, Raiden II and perhaps R-Type 3 and Space Megaforce standing tall beside it. This is seriously (for lack of better words) the coolest hardcore game I think I've ever played. Something about the color palette and the sprite art style combined with metal soundtrack is just so damn menacing that 3D graphics just don't measure up. It pains me to never see this achievement on "Top Ten Genesis lists" or greatest of all time lists, everything from the games music, graphics, and frenetic gripping gameplay scream all time classic. So many Gen games never get the attention they deserve. Thanks for giving it some!
@paxhumana2015
3 жыл бұрын
@Retro Soul, you totally forgot the Darius games, man. Sure, they were not arcade perfect ports, but, given the hardware that they were on, they were some of the best arcade to home conversions of any 16-bit game.
@mamusino
3 жыл бұрын
@@paxhumana2015 Really? GAIARES? Elemental Master? Steel Empire? Hellfire?
@HexenStar
2 жыл бұрын
Actually, heavy metal tracks constitute only a small portion of the in-game soundtrack.
@retrosoul8770
2 жыл бұрын
@@HexenStar that may be true but the entire score is excellent altogether. Metal or not. Some of my favorite non "metal" tracks are Danger Zone and Great Sea Power.
@HexenStar
2 жыл бұрын
@@retrosoul8770 Well...that's already a different discussion altogether. There are numerous Megadrive games with a great soundtrack, but TF4 loves to parade its allusions to heavy metal as one of its leading points - while it doesn't really deliver on this front.
I first played TF4 on my model 1 Genesis back in the day, and I remember a friend of mine told me I was supposed to play it using earphones, because I would be stunned when I listened to its music. I was dumbfounded, I could not believe the Genesis was able to pull that off! But, better yet, the stage designs, the graphics and sound effects were the best I had ever seen in a shmup. I am a shmup fan, I have played a plethora of games of this genre - even the overrated Axelay, and none ever had the same impact on me as TF4. Even the 3D Thunder Force games pale in comparison.
@agschwend
4 жыл бұрын
I agree 100%. There was another game I really liked: UN Squadron on the Super NES. But Thunderforce IV will always be my greatest love for a game. I remember trying countless times to finish it on maniac. I have it now on the Switch. It's so awesome! Unfortunately my reflexes really seem to have deteriorated over the last years 😂🙈
@davidaitken8503
4 жыл бұрын
Play Axelay on hard mode. It is easily better than this overrated game with better level design and enemy variety. In fact, Space Megaforce, R-Type 3, U.N. Squadron, Gate of Thunder, Lords of Thunder, Soldier Blade, etc. are all much better than Thunder Force IV.
@paxhumana2015
3 жыл бұрын
@@davidaitken8503 , stupid basic bitch, please, Axelay is ironically the overrated one and it honestly pales in comparison to Gradius III.
@HexenStar
2 жыл бұрын
@@davidaitken8503 I concur.
@lucaromeo8552
Жыл бұрын
Ciao, sono perfettamente d'accordo con te , Thunder Force 4 è veramente il Top.
PAUSE , UP , RIGHT , A , DOWN , RIGHT , A , C , LEFT , UP , B , UP..... that was the cheat to get FULL weapons!
@GreyCollector
2 жыл бұрын
ABC and start on title screen for menu, set lives to zero for 99 lives
@joyadurchoudhury9127
2 жыл бұрын
@@GreyCollector that’s right, I remember that too😎
Technosoft were incredible! This still looks/sounds and plays better than games years after on more powerful systems. 👍
@paxhumana2015
3 жыл бұрын
@Craig Davies, elitist much? Also, the voice audio sucked in this game in comparison to Thunder Force II.
I love how everyone just unanimously agrees that this game is absolute gold.
Thunder Force IV is the best ... I remember how challenging it was to finish it on Maniac difficulty when i played it on my Mega drive back in 1994 .. good times
I remember seeing it for sale at a software etc. back in 92 and I couldn't believe it had been released. The Genesis just has something special about it and this game was a big reason for it. The developers put a lot into this game and it shows, wow. I sometimes wish for the simpler and in some ways better gaming era of the 90s. I'll never forget that great era.
@licentiousdreams
7 ай бұрын
I agree that the 16-bit Era during the early 90s will always hold a very special place in my heart. Some of the best memories I sit and think back on have me and friends sitting around the TV playing Gunstar Heroes till we decide to put on Battletoads and fail over and over. Having sleepovers and playing games we rented from night-time video that even though we get the same game every weekend, oh to be young and innocent with zero responsibility... never know what you have till it's gone... l wanna be a little kid again!
Brilliant episode! Really insightful, fun to watch and very well produced! Especially all the differences between the various difficulty modes was awesome! Till 6 minutes in, I was like.. when is sonic going to get a lift from the Rynex.. haha (which you teased on twitter a while ago!). Again amazing work!
@THESHMUPMASTER
8 жыл бұрын
Thanks! So glad you liked it!! Seeing your Thunder Force Retrospective video really inspired me in a lot of ways. The first being to get a professional to narrate the video (Jared has worked in the broadcasting industry and I am grateful to know him). I also borrowed your idea for talking about the parallax scrolling although I tried to present it in my own way. I hope you don't mind :)
The production quality in this video is actually astounding. There are youtube channels with millions of views that can't touch this level of editing!
@THESHMUPMASTER
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks! I'm slowly making my way up...
This game inspired my young self in so many ways. Without Thunder Force IV I wouldn't have gotten into metal. Without Thunder Force IV I wouldn't have gotten into anime. Without Thunder Force IV I wouldn't be who I am today. It truly is art to last the ages.
Man excellent video production! I wanna get to this level some day to be honest heh! TFIV is honestly the best of its kind, no question.
@THESHMUPMASTER
7 жыл бұрын
Thanks! And yeah, it's a special game worthy of a video that took forever to produce lol
@MegaDriveProfile
7 жыл бұрын
Ever play Eliminate Down? That is a sick game
@THESHMUPMASTER
7 жыл бұрын
Mega Drive Profile I have actually. Another one of the best on the Genesis.
@vomoreno
7 жыл бұрын
Excellent video congratulations the end was very funny
@retrocademediaofficial
6 жыл бұрын
Ha, I just want to make good content in the first place.
Amazing video! A worthy tribute to the finest 16 Bit shooter. I remember buying it back in 1992 and being blown away by it when I played for the first time. Still play it over 20 years later.
WHen I WAS a lad, I used to paint the covers of the genesis boxes (my console was MEGA DRIVE II). Thunder Force was no expection, as I was fed up with trying to beat the game on maniac mode (always dead until the sea levels after obtaining the thunder sword). 30 years later I still recall the magical BGM that blew my mind and formed my taste towards heavy blasting beats and synth ^^ . Great video, well established and presented, much better than other channels!
Man I couldn't agree more. The shmup (or shooter, as we called it then) was my favorite genre as a kid. I had an SNES, but my best friend had a Genesis, and we played as many shmups as we could get our hands on. Thunder Force III was one of our favorites, and like you said in the video, we had no idea Lightening Force was the sequel. I think we must've missed that issue of EGM or something. I didn't get to play TFIV until late in the 90s with a Genesis emulator, and I was blown away. My opinion of best 16-bit shmup instantly switched from Axelay to Thunder Force IV, and I just don't see how anyone could argue any different. TFIV is such a tour de force. Perhaps if Axelay had two more super creative stages and weapons, but as it is, TFIV is just the best there is.
Hands down the best. So well designed, they even took advantage of the lag in the gameplay. Paralex Scrolling was fantastic & so many beautiful layers. The sound was so much better then Thunder Force Gold on Saturn.
Probably the best video editing I've seen on a retro game KZread video.
@THESHMUPMASTER
8 жыл бұрын
Oh Shtaap! :P
I have just bought Thunderforce IV and discovered your amazing channel while searching for content related to this monumental shmup. Keep up the excellent work! 🤟
@THESHMUPMASTER
6 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much! Very much appreciated!
It is sad that modern Shmups more into bullet hell than "adventure" Shmups like this one. More over, the 6th really killed this series fo real x_x
@CardboardSliver
6 жыл бұрын
Fake Replica Good thing we got Sine Mora. It's still a story driven Shmup.
@niespeludo
4 жыл бұрын
Old post but Devil Engine is basically a spiritual sequel to this game. You'd love it.
@rangerdanger1922
3 жыл бұрын
broken thunder should have been finished T-T
@CC42_
11 ай бұрын
@@CardboardSliverits not a very good shmup tho
Superb production! Just finished TFIV on normal mode the first time some days ago - after fearing it for 25 years ^^' The Desert Boss is definitly the worst! Props for making it through that maniac mode and thanks for the great vid. By the way: in 50hz it runs slower but with less slowdowns than in fast 60hz. Even checked a japanese version in comparism to be sure.
I was thinking about making a video review of this game then I saw this and knew there was zero point. Incredible work man! KZread did me VERY well today. The transition at 7:54. How in the hell haha
I am not a fan of this game, but the amount of effort put into the making of this video - is beyond staggering. It definitely took me by surprise. Respect.
@zfunk007
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you, I appreciate that. Sadly KZreads algorithm doesn’t reward quality or effort. Or I’d still be making these videos.
@HexenStar
2 жыл бұрын
@@zfunk007 Yes, unfortunately you're right: youtube's algorithm is a death warrant for creativity. Nonetheless, i really enjoyed watching it - even did so twice!
If you guys are fans of Thunder Force IV, sincerely look into Devil Engine (2019) It's fucking amazing, and the devs made it as a loveletter to Thunder Force.
I'm currently developing a homebrew shmup for the NES, and I have to admit this game has influenced me to a great extent.
@RigbyIsTheMan
5 жыл бұрын
How's the game going?
@niespeludo
4 жыл бұрын
Did you keep going at it?
Just found your channel a couple days ago. I share your passion, Thunder Force always had a large place in my childhood and I'm often playing it again, specially TF3 and TF4. Beatifully done!
Fuck yeah!, the best shooter of 16bit era.
I'm glad you're making videos again!
@THESHMUPMASTER
8 жыл бұрын
Thanks! Me too! it's been tooooooooo long lol
I often say that Thunder Force IV is the best horizontal shooter of the 16-bit era while Super Aleste is the best vertical one but of course there are plenty of other great ones e.g. Thunder Force III, Lords of Thunder, R-Type III, Eliminate Down or the oldskool classic Slap Fight MD! Anyway great video mate, enjoyed it a lot, especially (since I already know most details about this game) the last part versus Fomalhaut (Daser boss) ;> Thunder Force IV is just amazing. Fantastic pixel art and music, superb gameplay with interesting boss fights and is an overall incredible achievement considering the relative small size - 8 meg - of the cartridge, pure Tecno Soft wizardry! Respect.
@THESHMUPMASTER
8 жыл бұрын
Thanks! And yeah, I would LOVE to cover some PC-Engine/TG-16 games but the system is SO damn expensive and the games are even worse. My rule is no emulation so I'm not sure I'll ever be able to properly cover that system. Although I may considering getting one and using a flash cart...
ThunderForce IV is fucking metal, absolute. One of my favourite games ever with a mind blowing OST.
Person 1: Lighten up. Person 2: I am lightening up dude. Person 1:That's not a word. Person 2: Yeah? Well then why is it in the title of this game dude? Person 1: Shit, my bad. I need to have more faith in the people I choose to spend my time with, I'm sorry for doubting you.
This is a great review! You can tell so much effort has gone into this. Keep up the good work :)
There's no SNES shooter over come Thunder Force 4. I dear any Nintendo fanboy discuss that.
@THESHMUPMASTER
7 жыл бұрын
I love the SNES as well but I agree, Thunder Force 4 is the best on any console in the 16-bit generation.
@TheJamie6666
7 жыл бұрын
Josue Ortiz One word... AXELAY!
@patrickmclaughlin7193
7 жыл бұрын
Negative. Axelay didn't have as good a soundtrack, wasn't as interesting overall.
@TheJamie6666
7 жыл бұрын
Patrick McLaughlin Your opinion.
@patrickmclaughlin7193
7 жыл бұрын
...and? You voiced yours as well.
Thunder force is truly the greatest game in gaming history even touhou fans bow to this game’s amazing soundtrack and gameplay
Definitely want to play this game. BTW awesome hair! lol Great soundtrack to match the gameplay.
There is also 'Shield' power up in Ruin stage ! It hidden on the top ruin part ! Take 'snake' gun and shoot constantly close the top part of the stage and you will find it there even before fighting the pre-boss robot with gun ! 🤘🤩 Hope it helped )
@THESHMUPMASTER
4 жыл бұрын
Yup, I am aware of it :D
My dad re married 17 years ago and I gained a 12 year old step brother, I lent him my Megadrive along with this game, TMNT hyperstone heist, SOR 2, Road Rash 2, Robocop V Terminator and a few other classics, a year later he somehow "lost them" I'm still waiting for my dad to repay me and they aren't getting any cheaper.
I like your video so much that I use to see it every time I'm playing this fantastic game!
A great video covering a masterpiece - the metal soundtrack covers sound amazing, thanks for making this - awesome content.
@THESHMUPMASTER
6 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much!
The awesomeness of this game need go unstated, but can we take a second to appreciate this sublime sequence (18:06) that sets up and knocks down the bosses, one-by-one, followed by a perfect transition to.... that guy And that really is just the cherry on top. 10/10 absolutely fantastic video =)
@THESHMUPMASTER
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much! This video was a labor of love... don't think I could ever do it again!
@JohnnyThousand605
2 жыл бұрын
@@THESHMUPMASTER The love definitely shows; you really bottled lightening with this one ;-)
I think the vast majority agree that this is "the shumap"... I also think, the difficulty is well balanced and you don't need to keep using bombs to get past the bosses like in aero fighters or truxtron, the graphics are beautiful, a real tour by bosses and giant ships. Not to mention that his damage indicator is one of the best: the enemy doesn't change color, or uses life bar, in most cases the ship starts tearing and destroying the enemy in parts. It was an exquisite job to finish the series in the golden age of games.
You tell me that intro doesn't want to make you smash things.....Unbelievable game.
The best video review I've seen about one of my favourite all-time shmup. Thumbs up!
Thunderforce IV is really something special. Graphics and Music are obviously mind blowing but what I liked most about the game is the gameplay. The game is freaking hard if you play it on Maniac, but there is not a single situation in the whole game in which it is unavoidable to get hit. But despite the fact that I played this game like a maniac for 4 years I still managed it only 1 time to beat this game on Maniac without losing a single life.
How people perceive the final boss is a good barometer for how much they paid attention to the story. *YOU* are the final boss, they're scared and running for their lives, while you exact revenge set to one of the heaviest 16 bit songs ever.
How do you not have more subscribers? Your channel is incredible!
@THESHMUPMASTER
7 жыл бұрын
I haven't been consistent with my videos and I stopped for a year and a half. That is changing now. Thanks for the compliment :)
Bosses adapted to your ship. Whenever you reached the Desert boss with a full weapons loadout, the guy became pretty unplayable. Same can be said from the Sentinel. Glorious
Still the best Thunder Force video out there
Going to give you a big tip on both your trouble boss, Fomalhaut, and the rest of the game. For Fomalhaut, aim for the "Bib" under the head, if you focus enough firepower with Blade on it quick enough, you can blow the shield off and force it to respawn a new shield which you can instantly refocus again and blow the bib off completely before it can start moving around making it a cakewalk the rest of the fight. As for a tip for the rest of the game there's two types of damages, ineffective damage and effective damage. You can tell when you're doing ineffective damage when your explosions from twin shot are blue. When the explosions are red you're dealing effective damage and you're hitting the weak point. Play around with bosses and sprinkle them with twin shot to find the weak points and then you know what to focus on, on your next run through. Once you get the charge shot it makes bosses a joke when you're hitting their weak points directly with it. Hope this sparks you to play again and try it out.
My favourite game ever. This video reminded me it took me quite a few attempts to beat that Daser boss.
Blimey this brings back good memories, took me ages but I finished it. One of the best games I ever played......soo much fun! Great video guys!
Great review , I love the Thunder Force series.
Ok,so i was really guilty of overlooking this game despite the fanbase,i had it briefly in a bundle of gen shmups and it left in another trade years back.Anyway i watched this video cause i thought man what a bold statement the title was,long story short,i bought on switch yesterday and just finished what has catapulted into maybe my top 10 of all time,amazing level design,cool enemies and as you learn the game you really start feeling like a badass once your efficent w weapons.Just a masterpiece and i owe you a huge Thank You!!Oh and that music is epic as hell
@THESHMUPMASTER
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you! I appreciate it!
@StaticTV80
3 жыл бұрын
That's not a bold statement thats a straight fact.
I almost missed out on this because of the name change. I saw it on shelves for /years/, having no idea it was a sequel to my favorite shooter of all time. When I finally saw a note about it in a gaming magazine, I immediately bought it (probably too late to help Technosoft) and was completely blown away. It was such a dumb idea. Thunder Force 3 was why I bought a Genesis in the first place.
I really learned a lot from this video. The effects are top-notch as always. The variety is excellent! If you ever need a Shmup metal cover.. hit me up. Darius Twin Stage 1 may or may not be on my list.
The Lightening Force font looks from a medieval-themed beat 'm up from 1989. On the other hand, I never had a Sega Mega Drive so I would've been happy with any of the versions (and a console). Fortunately I can play it now on The Sega Mega Drive Mini and I can use save states BUT only for recording my highscores. If you cannot pass the first four levels (on normal), beating highscores makes the game even more fun.
Nicely made video, really pleasant to see all the effort you've put into editing and detoured sprites of the game.
I played TF4 back when I was a little lad, loved the game and the music When I found out it was out for Nintendo Switch as well, I didn't waste a second in buying it Also from time to time I play Stage 8's theme and I go "SILENCIO, PUSIERON *plays Metal Squad*"
Still my favourite shumup ever!!!
Arguably my favourite game of all time, this one...
Agreed. I think it's my favorite SHMUP period.
Nice review! Very impressive production values and great green-screen effects. I need to aspire to this kind of video quality! I love thunder force IV, such a nice looking game.
@THESHMUPMASTER
6 жыл бұрын
Thanks man! Yeah, this video was a labor of love for me. It took about 6 months to put together (not including the months of practice it took me to capture my 1cc run of the actual game!). Lot's of collaboration too with music and commentary as well. I got another video planned of this scale for sometime this year. It's just SO much work, as I'm sure you know!
Agree! Moves well and graphics are great...
The sound and music on this game are UNREAL. A complete masterpiece.
OK man, I finally got to sit down to my TV to watch this thing, cuz I was holding out...... Dude, you gotta make more videos. The animations and visual effects were out of this world! Really love what you did with the bosses at the end. Man, this video makes me want to pop it in right now! I also loved the little history lesson at the beginning. I have both Lightening Force and the PAL version of TF IV, but didn't really know if there were any differences or not. I can't believe how much the PAL version is going for. I bought it for $8 about eight years ago. Killer video, man! I hope we don't hafta wait too long for the next one. I'll check out your 1CC run here, soon.
@THESHMUPMASTER
8 жыл бұрын
Thanks man! Glad you enjoyed it! I knew you would. You are a guy after my own heart with the style of vids you do. And don't worry, I'm taking a week off then starting my next one. All the great feedback I have been getting on this one is making me want to jump right into the next one. Although my next video won't be as crazy simply because the game I will be covering isn't anywhere near as good as Thunder Force IV. Either way I'll try my best to stay creative :)
Oh my god! The KZread algorithm has magic powers. I'm just finishing producing a cover from the credits songs that I will release tomorrow and your video showed up in my feed. Great info and entertainment video.
@THESHMUPMASTER
4 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much! Glad the algorithm is doing its job! And feel free to drop the link 😉
@SchneiderSouza
4 жыл бұрын
@@THESHMUPMASTER Thanks. Its cool to share with others fans : kzread.info/dash/bejne/hY2axKWJYaSqj7Q.html
Wow this was so well done, amazing job.
The best 2D shoot of creation. That's all. I do not understand that in the madness of retro gaming, this game is not treated more than that ... Like a Zelda 3 or a Sonic 1, it is a video game monument. And what's more, it really shows what the Mega Drive has in its guts. The 68 000 is here honestly well operated, and the cartridge is only an 8 Meg ...
Dope editing! I subbed!
@THESHMUPMASTER
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks! Be sure and check out the newer vids as well 😉
Killer vid.
MUSHA Aleste is a close contender for the best 16-bit shmup, but I agree. TFIV is something special!
@THESHMUPMASTER
8 жыл бұрын
Yeah many say MUSHA is great... Sadly I have not played it... But I will remedy that at some point :)
You missed out one key thing about TF 4 we all adored...RYNEX. Best shoot em up ship ever and its name.
@THESHMUPMASTER
3 ай бұрын
Did you not watch the video? RYNEX was definitely mentioned during the Sonic Cartoon segment 😉
@CrashHeadroom
3 ай бұрын
@@THESHMUPMASTER I apolagise my bad XD fantastic vid! and i did but I guess I missed that :S
That Sonic animation was GREAT!
@THESHMUPMASTER
6 жыл бұрын
SonicPAJ Thanks! It was A LOT of work! Lol
I've just finished the game and played for the first time, it's a great shooter like it was Thunder Force III but graphically and artistically way better. I have a small critic about originality: apart from the thunder blade weapon we get on half game, there are no other new features
I've only discovered the game recently and I am yet to play it (also I have had long and VERY vague childhood memories of some kinda SEGA Genesis spaceship game I could never remember the name of, that turned out ironically enough to be Thunder Force II...), but HOLY SH*T did the music immediately win me over in TFIV. "Metal Squad", "Lightning Strikes Twice/Intro", "Sea of Flame", and certainly that amazing and beautiful ending theme, "Stand Up Against Myself". It simply amazes me such rockin' and metal tunes are on a relatively early Genesis game, let alone 16-bit. Not just that either, the shear amount of music they stuffed in the game as a whole. About an dang *hour and a half*... 😲 I grew up mostly with the SNES and fellow shooters Gradius III, Darius Twin, BioMetal, and Super R-Type. I love those shooters to no end and also think they all have fantastic tunes and I still listen to them for nostalgia to this day, but compared to the soundtrack of *Thunder Force IV* and ALL of its badass themes, from a game I've NEVER played before as of typing this, there is just no contest. Heck, even the previous and later Thunder Force games don't come close. 😎😎😎
I still have this in my collection, the track on stage 8 is the best.
Man, your RGB capture looks waaaay better than the composite I had to record with for my review. Great video and review, nice to see more people talking about and appreciating this game! Though you should have mentioned that playing the Japanese version of the game might be easier for Americans than playing the PAL game since you only need a JP/US switch on your Genesis.
@THESHMUPMASTER
8 жыл бұрын
That IS a good point. But I figured the European version would be better since it's in English and no speed difference.
Holy shit this is some amazing editing
Brilliant Video for a Brilliant Video Game!!! 🎯👊💯
Great video! This game looks really fun! Never played it myself though!
I just discovered this channel and holy shit is it good! Amazing editing and content.
@THESHMUPMASTER
7 жыл бұрын
Thanks man! It's been a few months since I've released a video, but I hope to remedy that before too much longer 😁
I prefer Thunder Force III, Blazing Lazer.. Thunder Force IV is up there tho.
BEST SHMUP EVER MADE
Great review man. Subscribed! I play TFIV on my Thunder Force Gold Pack 2 for my Saturn. Best way to play the game in my opinion. No lag, nor any interruptions in the background music, at all. 😎👍
Technosoft used to make beautiful games.
This released on the Nintendo Switch under the Sega Ages line. I'm definetly getting it for only €7
@THESHMUPMASTER
5 жыл бұрын
Yup. A lot of people have mentioned that here... I may pick it up as well at some point...
Such a great review. I started playing this one last night on the normal difficulty. I wiped out shamefully at the stage 7 boss. Much practice will be needed.
@willmistretta
6 жыл бұрын
Well, I can now clear it no problem on normal. I was stuck on the second form of the bug boss in stage eight for the longest time. For some reason, I didn't pick up on the fact that you could hold down when caught in the updrafts to avoid being rammed into the ceiling and I thought this was just an instant kill attack for way too long. It was pretty maddening wasting all those credits. Totally doable once I finally figured it out, though. ;)
@willmistretta
6 жыл бұрын
Just got done with my own review, if case you're interested. Thanks again for inspiring me to pick it up. twentiethcenturygamer.wordpress.com/2018/03/02/lightening-force-quest-for-the-darkstar-genesis/
"Metal Squad". 'nuff said.
Aww! At 15:45, you should've worn a Dokken shirt, since Thunder Force IV's music took influence from that band! Awesome review either way!
@THESHMUPMASTER
7 жыл бұрын
Believe it or not, as much as I love metal, I have never listened to Dokken. At the time I filmed that sequence (February of 2016) the new Megadeth album Dystopia had just come out. So I figured it was appropriate. Thanks for the feedback!
@Code1D10T
7 жыл бұрын
No problem at all! This was a great review. Keep them coming!
Bloody brilliant. Well worth the wait, friend!!
@THESHMUPMASTER
8 жыл бұрын
Well you helped make it what it is! I'm looking forward to the next collab!
@SHMUP Master: Fomalhaut is the most amazing boss in this game, edging the boss from Wall. There is just no sure-fire tactic to beat him, you have to constantly move and let yourself be backed into a corner. Although once he loses his lower half he is toast.
Great shmup indeed. This is one of my favorites for the Genesis/Mega Drive and one of my favorite 4th generation shmups, along with Gradius III, Space Megaforce and Blazing Lazers. And it has the best soundtrack I've heard on Genesis!
Love the review! Thank you for making such a great video!!!!
The best SHMUP, period.
This was fantastic, nice work!
Greatest one of its generation. Without question.
Ah, yes Formalhut, I remember him quite well. His shields, Energy shots, bullets, homing pods and THOSE FREAKING EYE BLASTS! Man, he was so frustrating. It took the 99 ship code and about 20 to 30 ships for me to beat him, especially in Maniac level.
Thunder force is a game i grew up with My blood is napalm, my heart beats with a power of a V8, my hands - THE CLAWS of THUNDA
Super awesome video about my fav shooter ever! Kudos, it was very well crafted and deep! You have a new follower indeed!
@THESHMUPMASTER
8 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it!