Thunder Force VI

Infobox VG
title = Thunder Force VI


developer =
publisher = SEGA
designer =
engine =
released = flagicon|Japan2008-10-30
genre = Horizontally Scrolling shooter
modes = Single player
ratings = vgratings|CERO=All Ages (A)
platforms = Playstation 2
media = DVD-ROM
requirements =
input = PS2 controller

nihongo|"Thunder Force VI"|サンダーフォース VI|Sandaa Fōsu VI is a horizontally scrolling shooter game in development for the Sony Playstation 2 home video game console. The director is SEGA employee Tetsu Okano, who has previously worked on Segagaga, and Gunstar Super Heroes. The game was licensed by Twenty-One Company's Tecnosoft division.

tory

It is the year A.D. 2161, ten years after the artificial intelligence known as Guardian went rogue and its subsequent destruction at the hands of Cenes Crawford, the pilot from the events of "Thunder Force V". As Earth reenters an age of prosperity after the previous war with the AI, an extraterrestrial force known only as "Orn Faust" appears to start an invasion of the planet. Unfortunately, the Unified Earth Fleet is powerless under the might of the alien forces and is almost destroyed. Meanwhile, the Unified Earth government receives strange readings from its analysis report of the underground chamber where Guardian was once installed. Inside, the Vasteel technology which was abandoned and sealed by the government shows a startling syncronization with Orn Faust's approach.

As researchers analyze the once forbidden technology they had abandoned ten years ago, they find an alarming message embedded within the fragments. It is said that Vasteel was once "Rynex", the ultimate weapon created by the extraterrestrial power called the Galaxy Federation, used to combat the evil Orn Empire. The message also contained a warning of their impending arrival and an interstellar call for help against the Orn forces, which is trying to spread its influence of death and destruction to other parts of the universe. In addition, the storage cells within Vasteel material contains four space coordinates leading to the homeworld of the Galaxy Federation. Left with no other choice, scientists recreate the Vasteel technology into the experimental starfighter known as "Phoenix", the last hope for the human race against Orn Faust. [http://thunderforce.sega.jp/story.html Thunder Force VI Story]

Gameplay

Sega has created a 3D scrolling system for the next-gen Thunder Force VI, where the gameplay proceeds in 2D as before in previous games but scenery moves in three dimensions. There are often times where the player ships executes rolls, turns or dives in the background, though gameplay is not hampered by this new addition. Each ship is equipped with five types of weapon arms and an Over Weapon, a special weapon gauge which collects energy gained by destroying Orn forces to unleash a powerful attack.

Player ships

The player has a total of two ships to select before starting the main game. Each ship has its own unique attributes that makes the best use in combat situations, though both controls are quite similar. [http://thunderforce.sega.jp/wings.html Thunder Force VI player ships]

RVR-00 Phoenix

The next generation trial production type general purpose fighter, created by scientists from the Unified Earth Fleet. Although its number is set before "RVR-02 Vambrace", the "Phoenix" is more advanced than its predecessor, a multipurpose fighter that was put to the test against Orn forces. It can battle independantly without need for supporting forces, able to absorb energy from various attacks by Orn forces and perform CRAW macromolecule assist. "Phoenix" is originally built from the remains of an unidentified ship, however this information is kept top secret by the military.

Rynex Improved Ver.

The main fighter craft employed by the Galaxy Federation, this ship has undergone significant changes. After playing an active part against the Vios in the events of "Thunder Force IV", researchers managed to take advantage of the original "Rynex"'s design and successfully mass-produced the craft in large quantities. The ship needs specific amount of skill to pilot it. The Thunder Sword add-on is now implemented from the start, though it is inferior to the destructive power employed by the original. However the ship makes up for this by strengthening diversion of each armaments.

Weapons

Each player ship has five different types of weapons to be equipped on its arms, however both ships employ the same weapons to use against enemy forces. [http://thunderforce.sega.jp/system.html Thunder Force VI System]

Twin Shot

The basic weapon equipped on the ship from the start, it fires two parallel lasers.

Back Shot

As the name suggests, the ship fires a fixed pattern of lasers from its rear against ambushing enemy units.

Hunter

The ship fires glowing blue balls of light that home in on enemies that appear on-screen.

Wave

The ship fires powerful blue wave lasers that impact against enemies.

Free Range

As indicated on screen as a green cone-shaped targeting reticle when used, the ship fires and destroys enemies with blue lasers within the cone range. As the name suggests, the ship is able to rotate this range 180 degrees, which means it can fire vertically up or down as well as diagonally.

hield

The ship uses the CRAW support units to create a shield. Technically not a weapon type, the shield deflects some enemy projectiles, though not all. The reliability of the shield depends on the weapons being currently used. If the CRAW support units are being utilized by a weapon needed to power it, eg. Back Shot, the shield is inactive during this period.

Over Weapon

The Over Weapon is a special attack both player ships use, first utilized in "Thunder Force V". To fill the attack gauge, the ship has to absorb energy gained by destroying Orn forces. One gauge is entirely consumed with one use of the weapon. However, the gauge can be filled up to 3 times, which increases offensive strength and is very useful against bosses.

tages

Throughout the game, the player ship will travel to various planets to aid the Galaxy Federation.

Jungle

A now abandoned colony belonging to the Galaxy Federation, it was previously destroyed by invading Orn Faust forces. In a short period of time, the planet is now covered with wild plantlife that has undergone genetic mutation. The player has received information that a newly built destroyer from Orn, "Kerberos II", is prowling in the area.

Flame

An experimental planet where Orn Faust is developing high energy lifeforms. There lies many abnormal and indigenous life thriving on the volatile and hot surface.

Ocean

A beautiful planet mostly covered by many oceans. Below the clouds and in the darkness of the deep sea, the dangerous presence of Orn Faust lurks.

Federation

The original homeworld and capital of the Galaxy Federation, where the space coordinates and aid request found embedded within Vasteel technology leads to. Orn Faust's presence on the planet is most pressing and concentrated, both Unified Earth Fleet and Galaxy Federation forces make their decisive battle here. The allied forces will attack the enemy's fleet in orbit before engaging combat on the planet's surface.
* Boss description: B3 (Barbaric-Berserk-Beast): "Death proof arms of the orn empire.": "The Death proof mega tank mode.": "The Death proof giga sky mode.": "The Death proof tera huge beam."

Battleship

With the help of fighters from the Galaxy Federation, the Unified Earth Fleet's Thunder Force team will pursue and destroy a huge Orn battleship, "Cerberus". After completing the objective, the player ship will engage in single combat with the Orn Empire's own version of Vasteel... [http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/game/docs/20081007/tf.htm セガ、PS2「THUNDERFORCE VI」PV第2弾や最新スクリーンショットを公開]
* Boss description: Vasteel Nocht: "Extra mimicry arms of the orn empire.": "The mimicry orn-faust styx.": "The mimicry orn-faust rynex.": "The mimicry orn-faust gauntlet."

References

External links

* [http://thunderforce.sega.jp Official site]
* [http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/game/docs/20080728/tf.htm Thunder Force VI preview]