Thunder Spirits for SNES

Image: MobyGames

Thunder Spirits

Correction: Thunder Force

Genre: shooter - horizontal

Publisher: Seika

Year: 1992

System: SNES

Gameplay Score: 4

Gameplay Notes:

Powerups include option drones that spin around your ship and selectable weapons. Speed is also configurable. Some hitboxes are unpredictable such as explosions of some missiles which hurt you while other explosions don't. Just gotta memorize the levels. Once you do the game is super easy, especially once you get the homing weapon. Just turn on turbo and plow thru the game. Oh and you'll have to invest in a turbo controller. No difficulty levels or any other settings available. Good shmup gameplay Minimal slowdown is impressive.

Level Design Score: 3

Level Design Notes:

Ok level design. Nothing particularly interesting. Waves of enemies are sometimes sparse but there's a lot of variety. Level 5 is fun, flying thru an asteroid field.

Theme Score: 3

Theme Notes:

Generic, but has some visual style. I've always liked the feel of the Thunder Force series. No story or cutscenes whatsoever.

Art Style Score: 2

Art Style Notes:

Looks like a Genesis game. Exactly like one. Some nice effects like explosions and background animation but no mode 7 and a very limited color palette make this look less attractive than most SNES shooters.

Audio Score: 4

Audio Notes:

Some pumping tracks. My 8 year old said he liked the music so I guess that's good enough for me. The sound is decent as well.

Overall Score: 70

Review ID: 626