Difference between revisions of "Thunder Force IV"

From Sega Retro

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| publisher={{company|[[Technosoft]]|region=Japan}}, {{company|[[Sega]]|region=US, Europe}}
 
| publisher={{company|[[Technosoft]]|region=Japan}}, {{company|[[Sega]]|region=US, Europe}}
 
| developer=[[Technosoft]]
 
| developer=[[Technosoft]]
 +
| distributor={{company|[[Samsung]]|region=KR}}
 
| system=[[Sega Mega Drive]]
 
| system=[[Sega Mega Drive]]
 
| sounddriver=T.S v1.31 (Technosoft)
 
| sounddriver=T.S v1.31 (Technosoft)

Revision as of 15:47, 3 October 2024

n/a

  • NTSC-J/PAL
  • NTSC-U

ThunderForceIV MDTitleScreen.png

LighteningForce MD TitleScreen.png

Thunder Force IV
System(s): Sega Mega Drive
Publisher: Technosoft (Japan), Sega (US, Europe)
Developer:
Distributor: Samsung (KR)
Sound driver: T.S v1.31 (Technosoft)
Genre: Shooting[1][2][3]

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
JP 		¥8,800 (9,064)8,800e[4] T-18063
Sega Mega Drive
US 		$29.9929.99[5] 1143
Sega Mega Drive
EU 		1143-50
Sega Mega Drive
UK 		£49.9949.99[8] 1143-50
Sega Mega Drive
SE
(Rental)
Sega Mega Drive
AU
Sega Mega Drive
KR 		GM8055JT

Thunder Force IV (サンダーフォースIV), called Lightening Force: Quest for the Darkstar in the US, is a 1992 shoot-'em-up by Technosoft released for the Sega Mega Drive. It is the fourth game in the Thunder Force series.

Story

Thunder Force IV, Stage Select.png

Stage select

Shortly after defeating the ORN Empire in Thunder Force III, the Galaxy Federation comes under attack by survivors of the Empire, who have gathered their remaining forces on the planet Vios. This new faction has been biding its time and developing weapons even more deadly than those used by its predecessors. The Galaxy Federation must again scramble a new small craft, the Fire LEO-04 Rynex, to counter this emerging threat.

Gameplay

The game is a side-scrolling shooter like its predecessor. The Rynex is moved in any direction using the D-Pad. The screen scrolls horizontally automatically. Stages are significantly taller than in previous games, and the player can travel to the upward and downward edges of the screen to reveal a larger playing field. The player can change the movement speed of the ship with A. Pressing the button adds 25% (or loops back to 25% if already at 100%); holding the button adds 1% at a time.

The Rynex shoots with B, which can be held for continuous fire. It is equipped with multiple weapons, which are switched with C. The player starts with two default weapons and acquires more by collecting items. The player can change the speed or the equipped weapon while the game is paused. The player can also equip two Claw add-ons, which are two small satellite drones. The Claws block weak incoming bullets and provide extra firepower by firing single, normal shots. Midway through the game, the Claws are upgraded and acquire the Thunder Sword ability. This allows them to charge up when the player is not firing and then release a powerful beam attack with B.

The Rynex is destroyed in one hit from an enemy or an obstacle. Losing a life loses the Claws and the equipped weapon (unless it is a default weapon). The player gains an extra life at 10,000 and 100,000 points and then every 100,000 points after that.

There are four selectable difficulty levels (Easy, Normal, Hard, and Maniac). The options menu is accessed by holding A, B, or C when pressing  START  on the title screen.

Weapons

Thunder Force IV, Weapons, Twin Shot.png

Thunder Force IV, Weapons.png
Twin Shot
Fires two streams of parallel bullets.

Thunder Force IV, Weapons, Back Fire.png

Thunder Force IV, Weapons.png
Back Shot
Fires one stream of bullets to the front and one stream to the back.

Thunder Force IV, Weapons, Blade.png

Thunder Force IV, Weapons.png
Blade
Replaces the Twin Shot with large orange blades. A strong weapon, but the size of the blades make it difficult get through the armor of some bosses to hit their weak spots.

Thunder Force IV, Weapons, Railgun.png

Thunder Force IV, Weapons.png
Railgun
Replaces the Back Shot with powerful, long lasers behind the Rynex. The strongest weapon for shooting enemies from behind.

Thunder Force IV, Weapons, Snake.png

Thunder Force IV, Weapons.png
Snake
Drops bombs above and below the Rynex at an angle. When this weapon is equipped, rather than providing support fire, Claws leave shadows that provide additional protection.

Thunder Force IV, Weapons, Hunter.png

Thunder Force IV, Weapons.png
Hunter
Fires blue energy balls that seek enemies. Less powerful than other weapons but does not need to be targeted.

Thunder Force IV, Weapons, Free Way.png

Thunder Force IV, Weapons.png
Free Way
Launches missiles in a conical spread in the opposite direction of the ship's travel.

Thunder Force IV, Weapons, Thunder Sword.png

Thunder Sword
Acquired in the Vios stage. Allows Claws to charge up when the Rynex is not firing; the next shot releases a powerful sword beam, which penetrates through multiple targets, with two additional angled lasers (regardless of which weapon is selected).

Items

Thunder Force IV, Items.png
 Item Carrier
Shoot to release an item.
Thunder Force IV, Items.png
 Claw
Equips two Claws, fighter drones that orbit the Rynex and provide support fire and protect it from damage.
Thunder Force IV, Items.png
 Thunder Sword
Equips two Claws, which have been upgraded to use the Thunder Sword in addition to their standard functionality.
Thunder Force IV, Items.png
 Shield
Surrounds the Rynex in a shield that renders it invulnerable to damage, but it dissipates after sustaining too many hits.
Thunder Force IV, Items.png
 1-Up
Awards the player with an extra life.
Thunder Force IV, Items.png
 Blade
Acquires the Blade weapon.
Thunder Force IV, Items.png
 Railgun
Acquires the Railgun weapon.
Thunder Force IV, Items.png
 Snake
Acquires the Snake weapon.
Thunder Force IV, Items.png
 Hunter
Acquires the Hunter weapon.
Thunder Force IV, Items.png
 Free Way
Acquires the Free Way weapon.

Stages

The player can choose the order of the first four stages upon starting the game using the D-Pad (or press  START  to accept the default order). The remaining stages are played in sequence.

Thunder Force IV, Stage 1-1.png

Thunder Force IV, Stage 1-2.png

Thunder Force IV, Stage 1 Boss 1.png

Thunder Force IV, Stage 1 Boss 2.png

  • Thunder Force IV, Stage 1-1.png

  • Thunder Force IV, Stage 1-2.png

  • Thunder Force IV, Stage 1 Boss 1.png

  • Thunder Force IV, Stage 1 Boss 2.png

Strite
A world of clouds, mountains, and waters.

Thunder Force IV, Stage 3.png

Thunder Force IV, Stage 3 Boss.png

  • Thunder Force IV, Stage 3.png

  • Thunder Force IV, Stage 3 Boss.png

Ruin
A blue ruin facing the void of space.

Thunder Force IV, Stage 4.png

Thunder Force IV, Stage 4 Boss.png

  • Thunder Force IV, Stage 4.png

  • Thunder Force IV, Stage 4 Boss.png

Air Raid
Fly through a large Vios fleet mobilized for an assault on the Federation.

Thunder Force IV, Stage 2.png

Thunder Force IV, Stage 2 Boss.png

  • Thunder Force IV, Stage 2.png

  • Thunder Force IV, Stage 2 Boss.png

Daser
A desert sandstorm.

Thunder Force IV, Stage 5-1.png

Thunder Force IV, Stage 5-2.png

  • Thunder Force IV, Stage 5-1.png

  • Thunder Force IV, Stage 5-2.png

Vios

Thunder Force IV, Stage 6.png

Thunder Force IV, Stage 6 Boss.png

  • Thunder Force IV, Stage 6.png

  • Thunder Force IV, Stage 6 Boss.png

Volbados

Thunder Force IV, Stage 7.png

Thunder Force IV, Stage 7 Boss 1.png

Thunder Force IV, Stage 7 Boss 2.png

  • Thunder Force IV, Stage 7.png

  • Thunder Force IV, Stage 7 Boss 1.png

  • Thunder Force IV, Stage 7 Boss 2.png

Desvio

Thunder Force IV, Stage 8.png

Thunder Force IV, Stage 8 Boss 1.png

Thunder Force IV, Stage 8 Boss 2.png

Thunder Force IV, Stage 8 Boss 3.png

Thunder Force IV, Stage 8 Boss 4.png

Thunder Force IV, Stage 8 Boss 5.png

  • Thunder Force IV, Stage 8.png

  • Thunder Force IV, Stage 8 Boss 1.png

  • Thunder Force IV, Stage 8 Boss 2.png

  • Thunder Force IV, Stage 8 Boss 3.png

  • Thunder Force IV, Stage 8 Boss 4.png

  • Thunder Force IV, Stage 8 Boss 5.png

Bio-Base

Thunder Force IV, Stage 9.png

Thunder Force IV, Stage 9 Boss 1.png

Thunder Force IV, Stage 9 Boss 2.png

  • Thunder Force IV, Stage 9.png

  • Thunder Force IV, Stage 9 Boss 1.png

  • Thunder Force IV, Stage 9 Boss 2.png

Wall

Thunder Force IV, Stage 10-1.png

Thunder Force IV, Stage 10-2.png

Thunder Force IV, Stage 10 Boss 1.png

Thunder Force IV, Stage 10 Boss 2.png

  • Thunder Force IV, Stage 10-1.png

  • Thunder Force IV, Stage 10-2.png

  • Thunder Force IV, Stage 10 Boss 1.png

  • Thunder Force IV, Stage 10 Boss 2.png

Versus

Versions

Localised names

Also known as
Language Localised Name English Translation
English Thunder Force IV Thunder Force IV
English (US) Lightening Force: Quest for the Darkstar Lightening Force: Quest for the Darkstar
Japanese サンダーフォースIV Thunder Force IV

Production credits

  • Programmers: Indick Mst, Yotaro, Zako, Chinpui, Kwd & Edger, Fake Dwarf Giva, Godzy, Alpha
  • Graphics: Two Socks, Krp, Gaja, Silver Hammer, Ushimatu, Hunter, Booby Master, Tamtam, Guges.D, Unbalance, Pei Crash, No Remorse, Shion
  • Music: Funky Surounin, Omen, Yunker Matai
  • Voice: Atuko
  • Director: My Home Papa
  • Producer: Sigotonin
Source:
In-game credits
Thunder Force IV MD credits.pdf
[9]

Digital manuals

  • Mega Drive Mini 2 US manual

  • Mega Drive Mini 2 EU manual

  • Mega Drive Mini 2 JP manual

Magazine articles

Main article: Thunder Force IV/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Main article: Thunder Force IV/Promotional material.

Physical scans

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU) NTSC-U
40
[10]
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
60
[11]
Alaab Alcomputtar (SA)
90
[12]
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
88
[13]
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
73
[14]
Console Mania (IT)
98
[15]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
91
[8]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
93
[16]
Digitiser (UK)
80
[17]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
93
[18]
GameFan (US) NTSC-J
97
[19]
Game Mania (UK)
93
[20]
Game Power (IT)
93
[21]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
93
[5]
Hippon Super (JP) NTSC-J
80
[22]
HiScore (DK) PAL
73
[23]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
95
[24]
Joypad (FR) PAL
94
[25]
Joypad (FR) NTSC-J
97
[26]
Joystick (FR) NTSC-J
97
[27]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK)
94
[28]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK) NTSC-J
94
[29]
Mega Drive Fan (JP) NTSC-J
82
[30]
Mega (UK) NTSC-J
81
[31]
Mega Action (UK)
92
[32]
Mega Force (FR)
90
[33]
Mega Fun (DE) NTSC-J
92
[34]
MegaTech (UK) NTSC-J
94
[35]
Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
80
[36]
Mean Machines (UK) NTSC-J
87
[37]
Marukatsu Mega Drive (JP) NTSC-J
86
[38]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
89
[39]
Player One (FR)
94
[40]
Play Time (DE)
91
[41]
Sega Power (UK) NTSC-J
91
[42]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
92
[43]
Sega Pro (UK) NTSC-J
92
[44]
Sega Force (SE)
92
[45]
Sega Force (UK) NTSC-J
88
[46]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
86
[47]
Supergame (BR) NTSC-J
90
[48]
Supersonic (FR)
93
[49]
Tricks 16 bit (RU) NTSC-U
65
[50]
Tricks 16 bit (RU) NTSC-J
88
[51]
Video Games (DE)
85
[52]
Sega Mega Drive
 87
Based on
45 reviews

Thunder Force IV

Mega Drive, JP
ThunderForce4 MD JP Box.jpg
Cover
ThunderForce4 MD JP CartTop.jpg
ThunderForce4 MD JP Cart.jpg
Cart
ThunderForce4 MD JP Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, US
ThunderForce4 MD US Box.jpg
Cover
Thunderforce4 md us cart.jpg
Cart
Thunder Force IV MD US Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, EU
ThunderForce4 MD EU Box.jpg
Cover
ThunderForceIV MD EU Carttop.jpg
ThunderForceIV MD EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Thunder Force IV MD EU Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, SE rental (HENT orange)
TFIV MD SE rental cover.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, AU

Mega Drive, KR
ThunderForceIV MD KR cover.jpg
Cover
ThunderForceIV MD KR cart.jpg
Cart

Technical information

Main article: Thunder Force IV/Technical information.

References

  1. ↑ File:ThunderForce4 MD JP Box.jpg
  2. ↑ File:ThunderForceIV MD KR cover.jpg
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 https://sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive/software_l.html (Wayback Machine: 2020-07-02 23:21)
  4. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "July 1992" (JP; 1992-06-08), page 146
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 GamePro, "August 1993" (US; 1993-xx-xx), page 68
  6. ↑ Computer Trade Weekly, "" (UK; 1992-11-23), page 18
  7. ↑ Sega Pro, "Christmas 1992" (UK; 1992-12-10), page 14
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Computer & Video Games, "June 1994" (UK; 1994-05-15), page 106
  9. ↑ File:Thunder Force IV MD credits.pdf
  10. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 116
  11. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 243
  12. ↑ Alaab Alcomputtar, "" (SA; 1995-08-xx), page 73
  13. ↑ Aktueller Software Markt, "Oktober 1992" (DE; 1992-09-11), page 126
  14. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "August 1992" (JP; 1992-07-08), page 26
  15. ↑ Console Mania, "Ottobre 1992" (IT; 1992-xx-xx), page 86
  16. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-15), page 36
  17. ↑ Digitiser (UK) (1993-02-03)
  18. ↑ Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 108
  19. ↑ GameFan, "Volume 1, Issue 1: October 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 6
  20. ↑ Game Mania, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-xx-xx), page 80
  21. ↑ Game Power, "Ottobre 1992" (IT; 1992-xx-xx), page 30
  22. ↑ Hippon Super, "August 1992" (JP; 1992-07-04), page 37
  23. ↑ HiScore, "15 Juli - 15 September" (DK; 1993-07-15), page 19
  24. ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Enero 1993" (ES; 199x-xx-xx), page 26
  25. ↑ Joypad, "Janvier 1993" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 159
  26. ↑ Joypad, "Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 54
  27. ↑ Joystick, "Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 172
  28. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-xx-xx), page 24
  29. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 95
  30. ↑ Mega Drive Fan, "October 1992" (JP; 1992-09-xx), page 67
  31. ↑ Mega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-17), page 48
  32. ↑ Mega Action, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-20), page 65
  33. ↑ Mega Force, "Octobre 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 68
  34. ↑ Mega Fun, "08/92" (DE; 1992-08-18), page 16
  35. ↑ MegaTech, "September 1992" (UK; 1992-08-20), page 30
  36. ↑ Micromanía (segunda época), "Febrero 1993" (ES; 1993-0x-xx), page 50
  37. ↑ Mean Machines, "September 1992" (UK; 1992-08-27), page 84
  38. ↑ Marukatsu Mega Drive, "September 1992" (JP; 1992-08-xx), page 119
  39. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 142
  40. ↑ Player One, "Novembre 1992" (FR; 1992-11-10), page 64
  41. ↑ Play Time, "1/93" (DE; 1992-12-09), page 95
  42. ↑ Sega Power, "November 1992" (UK; 1992-10-01), page 54
  43. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 68
  44. ↑ Sega Pro, "September 1992" (UK; 1992-08-13), page 64
  45. ↑ Sega Force, "5/93" (SE; 1993-08-26), page 18
  46. ↑ Sega Force, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-10), page 54
  47. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 85
  48. ↑ Supergame, "Janeiro 1993" (BR; 1993-01-xx), page 12
  49. ↑ Supersonic, "Novembre 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 22
  50. ↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 151
  51. ↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 27
  52. ↑ Video Games, "9/92" (DE; 1992-08-26), page 52


Thunder Force IV

ThunderForceIV MDTitleScreen.png

Main page | Comparisons | Maps | Hidden content | Magazine articles | Video coverage | Reception | Promotional material | Region coding | Technical information | Bootlegs


Music: Thunder Force IV (2019) | Technosoft Music Collection: Thunder Force IV (2021)

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Thunder Force games for Sega systems / developed by Sega
Sega Mega Drive
 Thunder Force II (1989) | Thunder Force III (1990) | Thunder Force IV / Lightening Force: Quest for the Darkstar (1992)
Arcade
 Thunder Force AC (1990)
Sega Saturn
 Thunder Force: Gold Pack 1 (1996) | Thunder Force: Gold Pack 2 (1996) | Thunder Force V (1997)
Sony PlayStation 2
 Thunder Force VI (2008)
Nintendo Switch
 Sega Ages Thunder Force IV (2018) | Sega Ages Thunder Force AC (2020)
Thunder Force related media
Music
 Best of Thunder Force (1997) | Thunder Force VI Soundtrack Demo (2008) | Thunder Force IV (2019) | Technosoft Music Collection: Thunder Force III & AC (2020) | Technosoft Music Collection: Thunder Force IV (2021) | Technosoft Music Collection: Thunder Force I & II (2022)
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