Difference between revisions of "Thunder Force IV"
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==Gameplay== | ==Gameplay== | ||
− | The game is a side-scrolling shooter like its predecessor. The Rynex is moved in any direction using the D- | + | 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 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}}. | ||
Line 42: | Line 42: | ||
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. | 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. | + | 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=== | ===Weapons=== | ||
{{InfoTable|imagewidths=320| | {{InfoTable|imagewidths=320| | ||
{{InfoRow | {{InfoRow | ||
− | | title=Twin Shot | + | | title={{sprite | Thunder Force IV, Weapons.png | crop_width=14 | crop_x=0}} Twin Shot |
| screenshot=Thunder Force IV, Weapons, Twin Shot.png | | screenshot=Thunder Force IV, Weapons, Twin Shot.png | ||
| desc=Fires two streams of parallel bullets. | | desc=Fires two streams of parallel bullets. | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{InfoRow | {{InfoRow | ||
− | | title=Back Shot | + | | title={{sprite | Thunder Force IV, Weapons.png | crop_width=14 | crop_x=14}} Back Shot |
| screenshot=Thunder Force IV, Weapons, Back Fire.png | | screenshot=Thunder Force IV, Weapons, Back Fire.png | ||
| desc=Fires one stream of bullets to the front and one stream to the back. | | desc=Fires one stream of bullets to the front and one stream to the back. | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{InfoRow | {{InfoRow | ||
− | | title=Blade | + | | title={{sprite | Thunder Force IV, Weapons.png | crop_width=14 | crop_x=70}} Blade |
| screenshot=Thunder Force IV, Weapons, Blade.png | | screenshot=Thunder Force IV, Weapons, Blade.png | ||
| desc=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. | | desc=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. | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{InfoRow | {{InfoRow | ||
− | | title=Railgun | + | | title={{sprite | Thunder Force IV, Weapons.png | crop_width=14 | crop_x=84}} Railgun |
| screenshot=Thunder Force IV, Weapons, Railgun.png | | screenshot=Thunder Force IV, Weapons, Railgun.png | ||
| desc=Replaces the Back Shot with powerful, long lasers behind the Rynex. The strongest weapon for shooting enemies from behind. | | desc=Replaces the Back Shot with powerful, long lasers behind the Rynex. The strongest weapon for shooting enemies from behind. | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{InfoRow | {{InfoRow | ||
− | | title=Snake | + | | title={{sprite | Thunder Force IV, Weapons.png | crop_width=14 | crop_x=28}} Snake |
| screenshot=Thunder Force IV, Weapons, Snake.png | | screenshot=Thunder Force IV, Weapons, Snake.png | ||
| desc=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. | | desc=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. | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{InfoRow | {{InfoRow | ||
− | | title=Hunter | + | | title={{sprite | Thunder Force IV, Weapons.png | crop_width=14 | crop_x=56}} Hunter |
| screenshot=Thunder Force IV, Weapons, Hunter.png | | screenshot=Thunder Force IV, Weapons, Hunter.png | ||
| desc=Fires blue energy balls that seek enemies. Less powerful than other weapons but does not need to be targeted. | | desc=Fires blue energy balls that seek enemies. Less powerful than other weapons but does not need to be targeted. | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{InfoRow | {{InfoRow | ||
− | | title=Free Way | + | | title={{sprite | Thunder Force IV, Weapons.png | crop_width=14 | crop_x=42}} Free Way |
| screenshot=Thunder Force IV, Weapons, Free Way.png | | screenshot=Thunder Force IV, Weapons, Free Way.png | ||
| desc=Launches missiles in a conical spread in the opposite direction of the ship's travel. | | desc=Launches missiles in a conical spread in the opposite direction of the ship's travel. | ||
Line 143: | Line 143: | ||
===Stages=== | ===Stages=== | ||
− | The player can choose the order of the first four stages upon starting the game using the D- | + | 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. |
{{InfoTable|imagewidths=320| | {{InfoTable|imagewidths=320| |
Revision as of 21:47, 2 January 2024
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Thunder Force IV | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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System(s): Sega Mega Drive | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Publisher: Technosoft (Japan), Sega (US, Europe) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Developer: Technosoft | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sound driver: T.S v1.31 (Technosoft) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Genre: Shooting[1][2][3] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of players: 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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.
Contents
Story
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 . 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 , which can be held for continuous fire. It is equipped with multiple weapons, which are switched with . 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 .
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 , , or when pressing START on the title screen.
Weapons
Twin Shot | |
---|---|
Fires two streams of parallel bullets. | |
Back Shot | |
Fires one stream of bullets to the front and one stream to the back. | |
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. | |
Railgun | |
Replaces the Back Shot with powerful, long lasers behind the Rynex. The strongest weapon for shooting enemies from behind. | |
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. | |
Hunter | |
Fires blue energy balls that seek enemies. Less powerful than other weapons but does not need to be targeted. | |
Free Way | |
Launches missiles in a conical spread in the opposite direction of the ship's travel. | |
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
Item Carrier | |
---|---|
Shoot to release an item. | |
Claw | |
Equips two Claws, fighter drones that orbit the Rynex and provide support fire and protect it from damage. | |
Thunder Sword | |
Equips two Claws, which have been upgraded to use the Thunder Sword in addition to their standard functionality. | |
Shield | |
Surrounds the Rynex in a shield that renders it invulnerable to damage, but it dissipates after sustaining too many hits. | |
1-Up | |
Awards the player with an extra life. | |
Blade | |
Acquires the Blade weapon. | |
Railgun | |
Acquires the Railgun weapon. | |
Snake | |
Acquires the Snake weapon. | |
Hunter | |
Acquires the Hunter weapon. | |
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.
Strite | |
---|---|
A world of clouds, mountains, and waters. | |
Ruin | |
A blue ruin facing the void of space. | |
Air Raid | |
Fly through a large Vios fleet mobilized for an assault on the Federation. | |
Daser | |
A desert sandstorm. | |
Vios | |
Volbados | |
Desvio | |
Bio-Base | |
Wall | |
Versus | |
Versions
Localised names
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
Digital manuals
Magazine articles
- Main article: Thunder Force IV/Magazine articles.
Promotional material
- Main article: Thunder Force IV/Promotional material.
Physical scans
87 | |
---|---|
Based on 45 reviews |
Mega Drive, AU |
---|
|
Technical information
- Main article: Thunder Force IV/Technical information.
References
- ↑ File:ThunderForce4 MD JP Box.jpg
- ↑ File:ThunderForceIV MD KR cover.jpg
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 https://sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive/software_l.html (Wayback Machine: 2020-07-02 23:21)
- ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "July 1992" (JP; 1992-06-08), page 146
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 GamePro, "August 1993" (US; 1993-xx-xx), page 68
- ↑ Computer Trade Weekly, "" (UK; 1992-11-23), page 18
- ↑ Sega Pro, "Christmas 1992" (UK; 1992-12-10), page 14
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Computer & Video Games, "June 1994" (UK; 1994-05-15), page 106
- ↑ File:Thunder Force IV MD credits.pdf
- ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 116
- ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 243
- ↑ Alaab Alcomputtar, "" (SA; 1995-08-xx), page 73
- ↑ Aktueller Software Markt, "Oktober 1992" (DE; 1992-09-11), page 126
- ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "August 1992" (JP; 1992-07-08), page 26
- ↑ Console Mania, "Ottobre 1992" (IT; 1992-xx-xx), page 86
- ↑ Computer & Video Games, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-15), page 36
- ↑ Digitiser (UK) (1993-02-03)
- ↑ Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 108
- ↑ GameFan, "Volume 1, Issue 1: October 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 6
- ↑ Game Mania, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-xx-xx), page 80
- ↑ Game Power, "Ottobre 1992" (IT; 1992-xx-xx), page 30
- ↑ Hippon Super, "August 1992" (JP; 1992-07-04), page 37
- ↑ HiScore, "15 Juli - 15 September" (DK; 1993-07-15), page 19
- ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Enero 1993" (ES; 199x-xx-xx), page 26
- ↑ Joypad, "Janvier 1993" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 159
- ↑ Joypad, "Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 54
- ↑ Joystick, "Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 172
- ↑ Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-xx-xx), page 24
- ↑ Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 95
- ↑ Mega Drive Fan, "October 1992" (JP; 1992-09-xx), page 67
- ↑ Mega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-17), page 48
- ↑ Mega Action, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-20), page 65
- ↑ Mega Force, "Octobre 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 68
- ↑ Mega Fun, "08/92" (DE; 1992-08-18), page 16
- ↑ MegaTech, "September 1992" (UK; 1992-08-20), page 30
- ↑ Micromanía (segunda época), "Febrero 1993" (ES; 1993-0x-xx), page 50
- ↑ Mean Machines, "September 1992" (UK; 1992-08-27), page 84
- ↑ Marukatsu Mega Drive, "September 1992" (JP; 1992-08-xx), page 119
- ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 142
- ↑ Player One, "Novembre 1992" (FR; 1992-11-10), page 64
- ↑ Play Time, "1/93" (DE; 1992-12-09), page 95
- ↑ Sega Power, "November 1992" (UK; 1992-10-01), page 54
- ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 68
- ↑ Sega Pro, "September 1992" (UK; 1992-08-13), page 64
- ↑ Sega Force, "5/93" (SE; 1993-08-26), page 18
- ↑ Sega Force, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-10), page 54
- ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 85
- ↑ Supergame, "Janeiro 1993" (BR; 1993-01-xx), page 12
- ↑ Supersonic, "Novembre 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 22
- ↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 151
- ↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 27
- ↑ Video Games, "9/92" (DE; 1992-08-26), page 52
Thunder Force IV | |
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Main page | Comparisons | Maps | Hidden content | Magazine articles | Video coverage | Reception | Promotional material | Region coding | Technical information | Bootlegs
|
Thunder Force games for Sega systems / developed by Sega | |
---|---|
Thunder Force II (1989) | Thunder Force III (1990) | Thunder Force IV / Lightening Force: Quest for the Darkstar (1992) | |
Thunder Force AC (1990) | |
Thunder Force: Gold Pack 1 (1996) | Thunder Force: Gold Pack 2 (1996) | Thunder Force V (1997) | |
Thunder Force VI (2008) | |
Sega Ages Thunder Force IV (2018) | Sega Ages Thunder Force AC (2020) | |
Thunder Force related media | |
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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