Thunder Force II
Description
Thunder Force II is both a side scrolling and top down shooter. In the game you control a ship. In some stages the action is side scrolling and in others it is top down (overhead). The weapons systems is fairly basic. You can switch from shooting a more powerful weapon straight ahead or two less powerful guns shooting forward and backward simultaneously. There are various power-ups that improve your fire power.
In the top down levels you can only travel in cardinal directions and cannot maneuver around obstacles easily or slow down. The control in the side scrolling levels is reminiscent of R-Type or Gradius, but with more basic weapons systems. In future incarnations of the series the top down aspect would be abandoned.
Spellings
- サンダーフォースⅡMD - Japanese Mega Drive spelling
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Screenshots
Credits (Sharp X68000 version)
10 People (8 developers, 2 thanks)
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Reviews
Critics
Average score: 69% (based on 18 ratings)
Players
Average score: 3.7 out of 5 (based on 16 ratings with 1 reviews)
An experiment that didn't quite work out.
The Good
The graphics in this game were great. On both the overhead and side scrolling levels there are exceptionally detailed sprites and backgrounds. The boss characters on the side scrolling levels are quite detailed.
This was one of Technosofts first console games and it has some new and innovative ideas that just didn't work out well in application. But it is different.
The Bad
the control left a lot ot be desired in the overhead levels and the difficulty level would be considered more tedious and hap-hazard than challenging.
The overhead levels in this game are simplay annoying. You have to wonder around shooting targets, but you aren't on a logical map. So you basically have to wonder around aimlessly hoping you destroy what you are supposed to. I've heard that its supposed to be related to how fast you destroy the various targets rather than their location. The terrible control in the overhead levels almost ruins the game.
Its also not a very long game. There is at least one level missing in this game that is in the computer version. This was because of the limitations in the media of the time and couldn't really be helped.
The Bottom Line
Its fun to play once or twice if you can pick it up on eBay for a few dollars. I wouldn't spend more than that on it. Thunder Force III and IV are vastly superior to this game. Elemental Master is another one you'll like if you like this game. Its like the overhead levels in Thunder Force 2 graphic-wise, but it controls much better and is linear.
Genesis · by Majestic Lizard (670) · 2006
Trivia
Censorship
In the Sharp X68000 version of the game, after losing your last life, the game will exclaim "Shit!" in frustration. This was not carried over to the Genesis/Mega Drive versions.
Milestone
Released in June 1989, Thunder Force II MD was the very first third-party game released for the Mega Drive in Japan, eight months after the system's initial launch.
Awards
- Electronic Gaming Monthly
- December 1989 (Issue 5) - Worst Spelling Error in a Game (Secret Bonuss) (tied with P.O.W.: Prisoners of War)
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Contributors to this Entry
Game added by Majestic Lizard.
Nintendo Switch added by Rik Hideto. Sharp X68000 added by Terok Nor.
Additional contributors: Terok Nor, Alaka, CaptainCanuck, j.raido 【雷堂嬢太朗】, Cantillon.
Game added October 25, 2006. Last modified January 25, 2024.