info

platform:

Sega CD

Genre:

Shmup

Publisher:

Sega

Developer:

Hudson

Difficulty:

Adjustable

No. of Players:

1 player

Released:

1995

Media

In Game Picture

In Game Picture

In Game Picture

In Game Picture

In Game Picture

Review

Lords of Thunder

By: Jason Wood | December 12, 2004

Fantastic! Hudson strikes again with another successful shooter. Following Red's previous shooter, Gate of Thunder, which was launched with the Turbo Duo, Lords of Thunder goes with a completely different style. Instead of a space age shooter filled with technology and ships, we now have a fantasy setting with monsters, weapons, and armor. With these attributes, Lords of Thunder rises high above some of the other shooters on the Sega CD.

Lords of Thunder is a 2-D side-scrolling shooter, but it does add some features that are not common to a standard shooter, and that includes adventure elements. Before the players start each level, they have a certain amount of gems as money that they can use to spend on different items in a shop before proceeding to the next level. Gems are obtained while playing the game. By destroying enemies, they will drop gems. After the boss is defeated, a gem bonus is granted and added to the overall total to the player's wallet before going to the shop.

Players can choose to buy health (you are given only one life in this game so you must keep filling your health meter between stages) in 3 different increments, shields (3 different types allowing either 1, 2, or 3 hits before health damage is received once again), power orbs (allows the player to increase the level of the weapon selected for the stage), bombs, an elixir (allows a full health bar to be regained once the regular health bar has been depleted) or even a continue icon.

The Sega-CD version of Lords of Thunder was released some time after the original one on the Turbo but it's a bit poorer in graphical quality. It lacks the vibrant color of the original, and for that reason the graphics are not as pretty. The visuals aren't bad per se, just not as spiffy as they are on the Duo.

Probably the most unique aspect of this game is the music. The Duo version almost warrants a purchase just to listen or record the heavy metal tracks that are used throughout the entire game. Sadly, this is not the case on the Sega CD. All the music from the Duo version is there, but they changed it all! It has all been redone! Same themes, just redone! WHY!?!?! Sorry music buffs, but the redone version of the music is horrid compared to the original. As for the sound effects, what can I say? They are WAY too low. Many are too soft and are not heard over the blaring, crappy redone tracks, and some sounds are missing, like the bosses screaming and yelling.

The only two things the Sega CD version had that I would sort of consider "possible" pluses are the fact that the first half of the introduction is narrated (However, given the "revamped" music and the fact you have to wait past the title screen to see the intro instead of at boot up) it does not help this redone attempt at all. Also, the bosses and mini bosses take more hits to kill.

Overall, Lords of Thunder is a capable shmup that is fun for a while. It doesn't stand up to the Turbo Duo release due to its watered-down graphics and redone soundtrack. I would recommend you get that version if you can. Sega CD owners looking for another shmup to add to their collection won't be blown away but they won't be disappointed either.

Originally printed at Starbase 299.

Reviewer Score: 7.0   |   Avg. Reader Score: 8.3
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User:Score:Date:Comment:
sybnios 9 July 08, 2009 You cannot say better or worse sound. The music in Duo is more raw and dirty on SEGA CD is more still heavy but smoothen up if you can catch my saying. It is a matter of personal like. The colors are slightly redused but still looking good. An incredible shooter that deserves a good rating.
 
tomaitheous 8 June 21, 2009 This is a pretty good port of the Duo version. The gameplay mechanics are slightly different in this version. It gives more attack power for your sword, resulting in more close hand combat for bosses. I prefer the Duo sound, but it still sounds great. The sound FX's though are lacking in this version and at times annoying. This version has a little slowdown & reduced colors. Overall a great game.
 
IcedEarthaholic 9 March 07, 2009 OK, first off, this version has the better music hands down, I've listened to the TurboDuo versions and Sega CD versions, and I have found the Sega CD versions sound better. Much higher production value, and better sounding guitar and bass, only thing they should\\\'ve done is gotten a real set of drums instead of a drum machine, other than that though, this game rocks, no pun intended. Get
 
appleroo 6 February 28, 2009 Don't let childish fanboy comments (belmont) sway your opinion on this title. If you have a Duo get that one instead of this. The segas measly 64 colors on screen simply can't compare to the Duo's 512 and it shows in this game. Not a bad translation by any means just opt for the DUO version instead.
 
belmont_yang 10 April 13, 2008 The best shooter on SEGA CD with the greatest soundtrack in the shooting game history!!! The resolution and powerful CPU of SEGA CD is more suitable for horizontal shooter than that crappy 8-bit PC engine!!! The arranged soundtrack in Sega CD version is MUCH MUCH MUCH better than PC engine version\'s noisy law tracks!!! It shows what an awesome hard rock album should be.
 
Alianger 8 February 28, 2008 A very fun game with great visuals and sound. It's pretty easy for a shooter so even if you're not a big fan of the genre I recommend giving it a shot.
 
Milkymagic 8 November 28, 2007 Lords of Thunder is definitely a game worth getting for Shmup fans, especially for those who like to play around with shops and float around brandishing an awesome sword. The soundtrack is pretty good, and the visual presentation is equally well done when considering the platform. I'd say this game was good, as collecting money and plowing through the forces of evil was just a lot of fun.