SEGA AGES Thunder Force AC (Switch) Review
Release Date: May 28, 2020
Publisher/Developer: SEGA/M2
Platform: Switch
Price: $7.99
SEGA AGES is a series representing some of the most solid ports of classic games. Be it original Genesis/Master System games or arcade versions that were never properly replicated on home systems, SEGA AGES games revolve around replicating the classic game whilst frequently offering something more as well. Hardcore gamers will have the exact replica of the original, whilst those searching for more will find plenty to play with. Thunder Force continues this tradition with one of the earlier bullet-hell shooters to hit arcades. It’s bonus mode allows gamers to have an easier time seeing what later levels look like, and also the ability to unlock other ships from the series, each with it’s own leaderboard to top.
Bullet Hell shooters are notorious for requiring pixel perfect timing and skill, and Thunder Force AC is no different. The key to Thunder Force AC is choice. As you progress, you will pick up a variety of power ups that will broaden your shot patterns that you can actively choose between, be it a spread shot or one that focuses more behind you. You also choose your speed via another button, allowing for control or speed to be your priority. Bullet Hell Shooters often do not open themselves up to the masses, and that would impact sales terribly. Therefore there’s an (in my opinion ill named) Kids Mode that brings the difficulty down and lets the layman enjoy saving the galaxy. I can’t tell you exactly what is different, but I can say that in “Kids Mode” I felt that I was more reliably powered up, able to handle the patterns thrown at me, and bosses went down a little too easy. However, full difficulty usually flattened me pretty quick. I guess I’m just at that perfect balance of skill, but those better than me or needing more support will easily find that niche. The extra ships open up pretty easy and allow for variety in maneuverability and weaponry.
This arcade game can bring back the feel of classic arcades. Outside of the normal screen sizes, shapes, borders and filters, gamers can choose an “arcade” border that looks like you’re at an arcade playing on a cabinet, complete with ambient arcade sounds. It’s a neat little addition that really shows care was put into the title, and the SEGA AGES series as a whole.
I understand that games with leaderboards require specific rules to maintain fairness, but any “Kids Mode” modifiers put players into a “freestyle ranking” meaning you won’t really get to share a lot of high scores there. With save states and replay saves, though, gamers can watch their plays and hit the perfect run. Thunder Force does hold true to it’s arcade origin, with plenty of cheap shots gamers would memorize as they mastered it, but now you don’t have to feed the game quarters to learn from your mistakes.
I love the SEGA AGES series, and Thunder Force AC is another great entry. The simplicity of an arcade bullet-hell single player shooter doesn’t offer as much variety as other games pulled back from the brink through this series, but it definitely warrants a visit from any space shooter fan due to it’s classic pedigree and bargain price value.
Pros:
-Classic space shooter action
-Adjusting your speed and shot on the fly mixes up your gameplay styles
-Kids Mode allows less experienced players to enjoy a bullet-hell shooters
Cons:
-Kids Mode and Arcade Mode are starkly different, there is no in between
-Ranking lets you show off high scores
-Outside of save states, you always start in the same place and see the same patterns