One of the best side scrolling shooters on the Genesis.

User Rating: 8.6 | Thunder Force IV GEN
I have always been a fan of side scrolling shooters ever since I played Life Force on the NES. When I got my Genesis that was one of the first genres that I wanted to find games for. The Thunder Force series was the first set of games I found. I enjoyed them and when I saw Lightening Force at a pawn shop I got it. Out of the series, I would say I liked Lightening Force the most.

Lightening Force has the best graphics in the Thunder Force series on the Genesis. The worlds are greatly detailed as well as the enemies. Sound and music wise, Lightening Force holds its own. I don’t remember any memorable tunes from it, but what I do recall is the music adding to the atmosphere and not detracting from it. What really differentiated Lightening Force from the other games in the Thunder Force series is the game play. Thunder Force II had some awkward controls and level design that made it more difficult than it needed to be. Thunder Force III cleaned up most of the problems with Thunder Force II. Lightening Force just played better and cleaner than its processors.

Anyone who is a side scrolling shooter super freak would find much enjoyment with Lightening Force. It is an obscure title because of its age and the fact the Thunder Force series is more of a cult favorite than a mainstream title like Gradius. It is worth a play if you are a nostalgia nut and/or Genesis fan like me.