You forgot to mention the fact that Tony Hawk was commissioned to edit a promotional VHS for the North American release of the game back when it was released. He was strapped for cash back when vert skating was in a decline so he took up side jobs as he happened to own an Amiga with a Video Toaster.
I spent so much time playing this game in France with my childhood friends. Hard? For sure! I only reached level 5 and never finished. Little fun fact: One of the programmers who worked on this game, was formerly employed at Technosoft and worked on Thunder Force games.
Lords of Thunder is amazing! The art style, mechanics, and music all transport me to a place I enjoy spending a lot of time in my gaming life. Even though I love shmups generally, I'm far from exceptional at playing them, but I did 1cc this on PCE a few years ago and was practically doing backflips afterwards while my wife looked on quizzically. Then, with my confidence bolstered by the 1cc, I started over on hard mode and was shortly thereafter duly humbled, lol. I've got to revisit this one again soon.
I've had it and a number of other PCE CD title's soundtracks / scores in my music collection for over 20 years. I used to just pop them into my cd player in the 90's.
I play it a lot on sega CD. That version is a bit too easy but the audio upgrade is incredible. It feels like there's a real metal band playing. One of the best sound track ever to me.
@@VideoGameEsoterica yep absolutely. For whatever reason I struggle to get into horizontal shmups. I reckon this, border down and death smiles are the only ones I've been able to sink some serious time into.
Yeah, this is heavy metal fantasy-the game and it’s hands down my favourite PCE shoot ‘em up! I love the soundtrack, and I believe I’ve heard there’s a patch to balance the sound. For some reason this game feels less difficult for me. The gameplay just clicks better with me than modern games, and I can pick a good armour to survive at least a few levels.
I'm not a shmup person, they always look the same to me, but I like Lords of thunder. Also Sol Divide is great, and 70's robot anime geppy-x (in all it's 4 discs glory) is a fun one
Interesting that you find LoT to be super difficult. I feel like a knock on it from hardcore shmump fans is that its too easy. I definitely think its tricky, but once you get the hang of it, i find it very beatable.
Funnily enough I was playing this very recently. It’s like a more competent Sol Divide (still enjoy that game, too) with the fantasy theme and close up melee. Gotta love the shop system as well, it’s a shame more shmups didn’t utilise this system more often.
@@VideoGameEsotericaAgreed. I know what you mean about the sound effects but I also love the fact that it’s like playing a winning slot machine with the Crystal pick ups lol. Also, if it’s any consolation it also kicked my bum a fair bit!
I lean a bit more toward Gate of Thunder myself. I can beat that one fairly easily, but this one for some reason seems about twice as difficult. It's not horrible, I can think of MUCH harder ones, but as you mentioned for you, it's also not my exact style. Still keep playing it though. :) It's definitely amazing. I've also always been a sucker for segmented sprite chains, and those swinging morning stars in the castle area are among the best! :D (Cadash also comes to mind with these, among some others.) Also, play it on the MiSTer with the remixed soundtrack. That'll give you a better audio balance. I know original hardware is generally best, but that solves that issue. Also, on the MiSTer, you can turn on the extra sprites mode, and what little flicker there is, is gone completely. This team though knew their way around code, as there really isn't much on original hardware either.
I've only played the Sega CD version of Lords of Thunder, it's a really good game, but based on that version I'm still likely to go with Air Zonk as my favorite PCE shmup.
It's great that the mega(sega) cd version is available, it's easier, and the music is better audilble. Of course with mister you can muck about with the sound levels a bit. And there are modded versions with the sound boosted or even the mega cd track imported in the pce game.
My favourite hori from the time is definitely Thunder Force IV, it's still a top five hori of all time let alone just back then. Alongside FF3/6, Streets of Rage 2, and Super Mario World, they're the only 16 bit games that are still possibly the best ever of their genres to this day. What's your opinion of which version of this game to play though? No consensus on line about whether to go for this or the Mega CD version.
@@VideoGameEsoterica and i'd say Spriggan is about equal with MUSHA Sapphire is great as a tech demo, but i always felt it wasn't very coherent visually
The performance of this game on the TG-16 mini was unfortunate. Works great in MiSTer though! I think I played that remastered version that tones down the sound effects too.
You forgot to mention the fact that Tony Hawk was commissioned to edit a promotional VHS for the North American release of the game back when it was released. He was strapped for cash back when vert skating was in a decline so he took up side jobs as he happened to own an Amiga with a Video Toaster.
It was in the initial edit but I pulled it towards the end
I have that video! The one where supposedly random people on the street are asked about the game? Tony Hawk made it???
I come back to this game so much. It's in the same echelon as Elevator Action Returns, Rondo of Blood, and Final Fantasy 6.
Elevator Action Returns is GOAT
I no death ran Elevator action returns early this year Hella fun game :)
Nice
Been waiting for this one! This game is incredible!
15/10 good
pc engine has a ton of great shmups ..
metric ton of them
I spent so much time playing this game in France with my childhood friends.
Hard? For sure! I only reached level 5 and never finished.
Little fun fact: One of the programmers who worked on this game, was formerly employed at Technosoft and worked on Thunder Force games.
So many devs of shmups moved around and made so many classics
Lords of Thunder is amazing! The art style, mechanics, and music all transport me to a place I enjoy spending a lot of time in my gaming life. Even though I love shmups generally, I'm far from exceptional at playing them, but I did 1cc this on PCE a few years ago and was practically doing backflips afterwards while my wife looked on quizzically. Then, with my confidence bolstered by the 1cc, I started over on hard mode and was shortly thereafter duly humbled, lol. I've got to revisit this one again soon.
Really here is nothing about the game I don’t love
I've had it and a number of other PCE CD title's soundtracks / scores in my music collection for over 20 years. I used to just pop them into my cd player in the 90's.
The music makes the game honestly
I play it a lot on sega CD. That version is a bit too easy but the audio upgrade is incredible. It feels like there's a real metal band playing. One of the best sound track ever to me.
Yes they maybe made it a bit too easy
And it has a kickass soundtrack~
Such a good soundtrack
Since Lords of Thunder already is my favorite horizontal pce shmup, I’d say my second favorite is Air Zonk!
Air Zonk is a classic
Oh wow! Excellent choice with Lords of Thunder VGE. I have both in the collection and never a dull moment playing either one of them. 8^)
It’s a classic and was on the list early
It’s not “weather” themed. It’s elemental! ;)
I've always found this difficult too, even though people generally say it's easy. It's important to 'enjoy yourself while you die' 😄
Losing can be fun too lol
i kind of lose interest once i get to the final level with all the swinging spike balls
great journey up to that point
@@bombjack1984 Give the Sega CD version a try, it's easier
This is one of the best.
On PC engine and just in general
@@VideoGameEsoterica yep absolutely. For whatever reason I struggle to get into horizontal shmups. I reckon this, border down and death smiles are the only ones I've been able to sink some serious time into.
I love that I can actually beat a shooter, for once. Great music and visuals, and also surprisingly good looking on Sega CD.
I should clarify for anyone who finds it difficult-- I beat it on Sega CD and there could be balance differences.
Haha it’s not an easy victory
Ahh that makes sense
Yeah, this is heavy metal fantasy-the game and it’s hands down my favourite PCE shoot ‘em up! I love the soundtrack, and I believe I’ve heard there’s a patch to balance the sound.
For some reason this game feels less difficult for me. The gameplay just clicks better with me than modern games, and I can pick a good armour to survive at least a few levels.
The theming and vibe bring so much to the table
I think Gradius 2 on Super CD might be my favorite horizontal shmup on the system. Lords and Gate are definitely a ton of fun.
The good thing is we have SO MANY to choose from
I'm not a shmup person, they always look the same to me, but I like Lords of thunder. Also Sol Divide is great, and 70's robot anime geppy-x (in all it's 4 discs glory) is a fun one
It’s just such a diff theme it feels fresh
Interesting that you find LoT to be super difficult. I feel like a knock on it from hardcore shmump fans is that its too easy. I definitely think its tricky, but once you get the hang of it, i find it very beatable.
It’s funny how one persons hard game is another persons easy game
Funnily enough I was playing this very recently. It’s like a more competent Sol Divide (still enjoy that game, too) with the fantasy theme and close up melee. Gotta love the shop system as well, it’s a shame more shmups didn’t utilise this system more often.
Yes the shop system only shows up sporadically. A should mechanic common enough to know it exists but still rarely used
@@VideoGameEsotericaAgreed. I know what you mean about the sound effects but I also love the fact that it’s like playing a winning slot machine with the Crystal pick ups lol. Also, if it’s any consolation it also kicked my bum a fair bit!
Haha not an easy game
@@VideoGameEsoterica Yeah man, shops are great when they show up and you need it in this if you wanna get anywhere
I lean a bit more toward Gate of Thunder myself. I can beat that one fairly easily, but this one for some reason seems about twice as difficult. It's not horrible, I can think of MUCH harder ones, but as you mentioned for you, it's also not my exact style. Still keep playing it though. :) It's definitely amazing.
I've also always been a sucker for segmented sprite chains, and those swinging morning stars in the castle area are among the best! :D (Cadash also comes to mind with these, among some others.)
Also, play it on the MiSTer with the remixed soundtrack. That'll give you a better audio balance. I know original hardware is generally best, but that solves that issue. Also, on the MiSTer, you can turn on the extra sprites mode, and what little flicker there is, is gone completely. This team though knew their way around code, as there really isn't much on original hardware either.
That’s fair. All the games in this franchise are awesome so really you can’t pick a bad one
I really need to play this and Gates (also the Thunderforce series but that's different hardware lol)
Def need to play it. Like yesterday!
I've only played the Sega CD version of Lords of Thunder, it's a really good game, but based on that version I'm still likely to go with Air Zonk as my favorite PCE shmup.
Second vote for Air Zonk today
@@VideoGameEsoterica It’s actually my favorite PCE game of any genre
Have you tried the "remastered" version by Electrohaze?
I have not
Did you ever cover Gate of Thunder?
I have not yet no
That volcano stage worries me because of the potential instead death by being crushed by the walls and ceilings.
tis not easy
Overall the PC Engine version is better than the MD’s:
- sound mix slighlty better on MD but more colours on the PCE.
It's great that the mega(sega) cd version is available, it's easier, and the music is better audilble. Of course with mister you can muck about with the sound levels a bit. And there are modded versions with the sound boosted or even the mega cd track imported in the pce game.
@@NLSagat Indeed 👍
At least we have options :)
Two good versions
My favourite hori from the time is definitely Thunder Force IV, it's still a top five hori of all time let alone just back then. Alongside FF3/6, Streets of Rage 2, and Super Mario World, they're the only 16 bit games that are still possibly the best ever of their genres to this day.
What's your opinion of which version of this game to play though? No consensus on line about whether to go for this or the Mega CD version.
We really got spoiled in the 16 bit generation
this is one of the few PCE shooters that i feel is on par with the best from Mega Drive
It’s very close for sure
@@VideoGameEsoterica
and i'd say Spriggan is about equal with MUSHA
Sapphire is great as a tech demo, but i always felt it wasn't very coherent visually
@ynotwalk7391 sapphire kind of feels like more than one theme in the same game
@@VideoGameEsoterica
yeah, it doesn't quite gel with some of the pre-rendered bosses being fugly and stuff
The performance of this game on the TG-16 mini was unfortunate. Works great in MiSTer though!
I think I played that remastered version that tones down the sound effects too.
I’ve never played a Mini weirdly enough
Apparently Tony Hawk did a promotional video for the US release of the game
Yup, it was him who did the editing. He moonlighted as a video editor and IT guy back when his Birdhouse venture was scraping by in the early 90s.
He did. I just didn’t include that. I tried to put some footage in and it flagged to a diff video
Wild times
It's easier on the Mega Drive
I’ll have to give that a shot one day
nice😍
Def a fun one!
No views in 1 minute. Buddy fell off
lol you realize they don’t even start iterating the counter for a minute or two?
@@VideoGameEsoterica ruclips.net/video/TSCof-CC0Hg/видео.htmlsi=IZ2DKiX_jF71wreN
@@VideoGameEsotericalol do you realize he was making a joke?!