Rolling Thunder 2 for Genesis

Review #4488

Rolling Thunder 2

Rolling with the homies

Genesis 1992 Namco Action Action › Gun
Rolling Thunder 2 screenshot for Genesis
Screenshot used for review/reference purposes.
4 / 5

Gameplay

I'm not sure why I like this game so much because it has many attributes that I dislike. Movement is slow. You can't shoot while jumping or moving. There's limited ammo and a too-short time limit. Your jump is very short and you can't adjust your jump mid-air.
And yet the game is fun!
I think it works because enemies don't swarm you - they have predictable patterns so you can make smart tactical decisions for how to approach every situation the game puts you in. Also enemies don't deal damage when you touch them. They have a hitbox and you both get bumped. I like how realistic this feels.

5 / 5

Level Design

Well designed levels play to the strengths of the game's mechanics and provide memorable experiences. The truck driving away in the first level. The long series of platforms you drop down from in the second level. The high rise construction site in the final level. It's memorable and interesting.

4 / 5

Theme

You're James or Jane Bond, essentially. Story is told via a cinematic overlay and text crawl before each level begins. Simple but effective.
The world feels believeable and interesting.

4 / 5

Art Style

Tall thin sprites like 1970s anime characters. No slowdown. Wonderful use of color in the environment and as a visual language in sprites to communicate their attack pattern. Platforms are easy to spot. Good stuff, if a bit simplecompared to stuff that came later in the 16-bit era.

4 / 5

Audio

I love the disco-era soundtrack. It sounds like it it played with an electronic organ and should be accompanied by a saxophone. I don't usually like that sort of music but these tracks fit the theme and setting of this game perfectly.

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