I hate Thunder Force II

[GSZX1337]

Not the whole game, just the top-view stages. I have to wander around looking for those bases you're supposed to destroy. Enemies spawn, surrounding me and I have to use the Back Weapon and spin around to get rid of the enemies. Then, there's the enemy balls that won't blow up, you can only shoot at them until they just decide "Hey, lemme piss someone else off." and leave. These stages aren't even challenging, they're just long ass grinds that I have to do in order to get to the fun part. I originally wanted to track down an emulator for the Sharp-X1 to play Thunder Force I, but if the whole game is like this, I'm not going to bother.

I just love the side-view stages, though. The weapons are interesting and each serve their purpose, stage designs are cool offering different paths along the stage, and the challenge seems to be just right for me (I admit that I'm not too good at shoot-em-ups). Yes, I do know that Thunder Force III is purely shoot-em-up game play, but I'd like to play through all of the Thunder Force games in order. I still feel bad that I played Thunder Force VI first (yeah, I'm pretty anal about playing games in order).

If anyone wants to know, I'm playing the Thunder Force games on the Thunder Force Gold Packs for the Sega Saturn.

[PepsimanVsJoe]

Worst part is once you play 3 & 4 you'll never want to go back(or forward, part 5 was a bit of a disappointment IMO).
Take the Genesis/Megadrive for example. Tons of 2D shooters were released from 1989 through 1992 but once Thunder Force IV hit everyone packed up and went home cause they knew that game just couldn't be topped.

The only 2D shooter that released after TFIV iirc was Eliminate Down. That's a really good one at least. Shame that's probably the only notable thing the the developer/publisher was able to come up with(not to mention it's one of the most expensive games for the Mega-drive today and a Virtual Console release is out of the question). Oh and I just remembered. There was Battle mania 2 as well(Which also never saw a US release and is also very expensive) but again quite good and very unique.

[GSZX1337]

Worst part is once you play 3 & 4 you'll never want to go back(or forward, part 5 was a bit of a disappointment IMO).

I played Thunder Force III on the Gold Pack for a little bit just to see what's next after I beat Thunder Force II (I got to stage 6) and I think you're right. It's just a kick ass upgrade of the second with the shitty top-view stages ditched.

I don't know about Thunder Force V, though. It looks really fun from the game play videos I saw of it. I liked Thunder Force VI a lot, and Thunder Force V seems to play much like it.

Take the Genesis/Megadrive for example. Tons of 2D shooters were released from 1989 through 1992 but once Thunder Force IV hit everyone packed up and went home cause they knew that game just couldn't be topped.

That could also be because the Sega CD was released and the developers wanted to develop games for that.

[Octopod]

I like the top down stages. *shrug*

[GSZX1337]

I like the top down stages. *shrug*

Maybe I can get you to play through them for me.

[bobbynewmarkiii]

Yeah, I got Thunderforce II recently - the top down stages suck balls.

[elvis]

I piss my shorts laughing every time I hear the "blahblahblahblah... good luck" before each stage. Marvellous use of the MegaDrive's audio there.

[GSZX1337]

I piss my shorts laughing every time I hear the "blahblahblahblah... good luck" before each stage. Marvellous use of the MegaDrive's audio there.

The intro says "This is Exceliza, Roger, Good Luck.

[elvis]

The intro says "This is Exceliza, Roger, Good Luck.

19 years of playing the game, and that's the first time I've ever heard anyone offer a plausible "translation". Cheers.