Lords of Thunder

~ LORDS OF THUNDER ~

Red / Hudson Soft

Super CD-ROM

1993

Going a mythological route and incorporating suit-selection and item-purchasing elements, Lords of Thunder deviates from shooter norms in intriguing ways, but it achieves excellence primarily due to the phenomenal visuals it sports and the huge, ferocious creatures it pits players against. I like the game a lot, but I have issues with its gameplay and music that prevent me from ranking it among titles like Gate of Thunder and Lightening Force--the absolute elite of the old-school shooters.

I've never had to memorize a pattern in this game, nor have I ever found any particular segment to provide a true test of reflexes. So I don't have to use my head, and my adrenaline never really gets pumping. The action is basically about plowing through huge, roaring, slobbering enemies. It's presented in awe-inspiring fashion, but it doesn't feel very refined.

As far as aural elements go, I dig the crunchy guitars and bold basslines in the numbers accompanying the title screen and opening cinemas, but once the actual game begins, the soundtrack may as well not even be present. I like rock scores, but I prefer solid riffs (like those in Gate of Thunder) to wailing solos (like those in this game). I can't get into this sort of material and find it mostly forgettable.

Again, I like Lords a lot. It'd be difficult to dislike a game that has levels and enemies that look this great. Also, its cinemas are very cool, and the shop element is incorporated well enough. But, in my book, Lords doesn't quite reach the tier of brilliance where Gate resides.

Our pissed-off protagonist.

The adversarial lords are a strange-looking bunch.

Select your destination, and buff yourself up in the shops. In the Japanese rendition, the shopkeeper has an awesome "goddess-like" voice.

Enemies that just come walking along mid-level in Lords could easily act as major bosses in many other shooters.

Of course, Lords' actual bosses are in another league entirely.

Creatures such as the unicorn boss are absolutely magnificent...

...while other monsters are simply bizarre.

In addition to gigantic beasts, Lords delivers beautiful backgrounds, interesting enemy designs, and plenty of action. It may be easy and it may feel sloppy, but it's still impressive and enjoyable.

True to the Lords way, your last few opponents go down with little resistance but look pretty damned awesome.