Gate of Thunder explained

Gate of Thunder
Developer:Red Company
Publisher:Hudson Soft
Composer:Nick Wood (Sound Design)
Platforms:TurboGrafx-CD
Genre:Scrolling shooter
Modes:Single-player

is a 1992 scrolling shooter video game developed by Red Company and published by Hudson Soft for the TurboGrafx-CD. It was the first game released in North America to support the Super CD-ROM² format and served as one of the pack-in games for the TurboDuo, a two-in-one system which runs both TurboGrafx-CD and TurboGrafx-16 titles, where it was bundled with Bonk's Adventure, Bonk's Revenge and Bomberman on the same disc. In the game, the player controls the Hunting Dog space fighter craft, piloted by space cop Hawk. Alongside his ally Esty, piloting the Wild Cat support ship, Hawk must stop General Don Jingi and his Obellon armada from obtaining the powerful "Starlight" energy source from planet Aries.

Gate of Thunder was created by Red Raimon, a group within Red consisting of former Technosoft staff which previously worked on the Thunder Force series, whose members would later form the game development company CAProduction. It was the first shoot 'em up game programmed for the Super CD-ROM² format, which allowed features such as more detailed visuals due to its increased memory size. The soundtrack was composed by Nick Wood, a co-founding member of the Syn Sound Design music production studio. First released on the TurboGrafx-CD, the title has since been re-released through the Virtual Console and PlayStation Network download services.

Gate of Thunder garnered acclaim since its release on the TurboGrafx-CD; critics praised the presentation for its detailed and colorful graphics, well-animated sprites, use of parallax scrolling, large bosses, lack of slowdown, CD-quality heavy metal soundtrack, fast gameplay and intense action. Retrospective commentary have been equally positive, being considered one of the best video games of all time and one of the most important shooting titles on the platform. An unofficial follow-up, titled Lords of Thunder, was released for the TurboDuo in 1993.

Gameplay

Gate of Thunder is a science fiction-themed scrolling shoot 'em up game, in which the player takes control of the Hunting Dog space fighter craft piloted by the space cop Hawk who, alongside his ally Esty piloting the Wild Cat support ship, must stop General Don Jingi and his Obellon armada from obtaining a powerful energy source known as "Starlight" from planet Aries.[1] [2] Prior to starting, a configuration menu can be accessed at the game's title screen, where any of the four available difficulty settings can be selected.[1] The player controls Hunting Dog through seven increasingly difficult stages over a constantly scrolling background, populated with an assortment of military enemy forces and obstacles, and the scenery never stops moving until a boss is reached, which must be fought in order to progress further.[1] [2]

The weapon system is reminiscent of Thunder Force III; There are three types of weapon units in the game Hunting Dog can acquire by collecting their respective colors when the Wild Cat deploys them and alternate between each one at any given time during gameplay, ranging from laser (blue), waves (green) and earthquake (red).[1] [2] Collecting any weapon unit also equips Hunting Dog with a set of two satellite-like options that blocks incoming enemy shots, as well as firing forward or backward by double tapping the fire button.[1] [2] Each weapon can be powered-up once and when all weapons are maxed out, collecting an additional weapon unit unleashes a firewall capable of obliterating enemies and bullets caught within its range.[1] Wild Cat will also deploy supplementary units such as homing missiles and a three-hit force shield.[1] [2]

Hunting Dog is also equipped with a speed setting, which can be increased or decreased across three levels by pressing the select button.[1] Firing on determined locations of a stage will reveal a secret item within its scenery. The title employs a respawn system where their ship immediately starts at the location they died at. Getting hit by enemy fire or colliding against solid stage obstacles will result in losing a life, as well as the weapon that was currently in use by Hunting Dog, and the game is over once all lives are lost, though the player has limited continues to keep playing.[1]

Development and release

Gate of Thunder was developed by Red Raimon (also known as Red Kaminarimon), a group within Red consisting of former Technosoft staff which previously worked on the Thunder Force series (particularly Thunder Force II and III) but left the company in 1991, whose members would later form the game development company CAProduction in 1993.[3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] It was the first shoot 'em up game programmed for the Super CD-ROM² format, which allowed features such as more detailed visuals due to its increased memory size.[9] The soundtrack was composed by Nick Wood, a co-founding member of the Syn Sound Design music production studio, though he is listed as sound designer in the game's staff roll.[3] [8]

Gate of Thunder was first published in Japan by Hudson Soft on February 21, 1992 for the PC Engine Super CD-ROM². Prior to launch, its plot was adapted into a manga featuring several Hudson Soft characters titled Hudson Makyou: Genjin Bakuhatsu Densetsu, which was published by Minori Shobo on January 6.[10] The game was later released in North America on October 10, 1992, being the first title in the region to support the Super CD-ROM² format and served as one of the pack-in games for the TurboDuo, a two-in-one system which runs both TurboGrafx-CD and TurboGrafx-16 titles, where it was bundled as a "three-in-one" package with Bonk's Adventure, Bonk's Revenge and Bomberman on the same disc.[2] [11] [12] [13] [14]

After its release, it was showcased to attendees at the 1992 COMDEX show.[15] On May 21, 1993, an album containing selected music tracks from the game was published exclusively in Japan by Hudson Soft.[16] Gate of Thunder was re-released for the Wii's Virtual Console on October 15, 2007 in North America, being the first CD-based game on the Virtual Console, then in Europe on October 19 and later in Japan on December 4.[17] The game was also re-released for the PlayStation Network as part of the "PC Engine Archives" line in Japan on March 17, 2010.[18] [19]

Reception

Gate of Thunder garnered acclaim from critics since its release on the TurboGrafx-CD, most of which reviewed it as an import title. Public reception was also positive; readers of PC Engine Fan voted to give the game a 24.38 out of 30 score, ranking at the number 31 spot in a poll, indicating a large popular following.[20] Famitsus four reviewers noted that a lot of effort went into the game's visuals and difficulty level. Video Games Julian Eggebrecht drew comparison with Thunder Force III due to its weapon system but regarded it as an outstanding title for the PC Engine Super CD-ROM², commending the well-animated sprites and graphics.[21] Consoles Plus Fred and Marc Menier gave positive remarks to the overall graphical presentation, sprite animations, use of parallax scrolling, lack of slowdown, sound design, frenetic action and excellent gameplay.

Joypads Jean-François Morisse and Joysticks Jean-Marc Demoly gave very positive commentary in regards to the animated visuals and sprites, controls and sound, with Demoly stating that it was the best shooter on the PC Engine CD-ROM. GameFans Dave Halverson and Brody commended the game for its music and fast gameplay but Halverson criticized the lack of unique environments. Electronic Gaming Monthlys four reviewers also praised the title for its intense action, highly detailed and colorful graphics, large bosses and music. In 1997, it was listed as number 53 on EGMs 100 best games of all time in their 100th issue, explaining that it stood apart from other shooters due to its CD-quality heavy metal soundtrack and animated backgrounds, which "are as much an enemy in this game as the swarms of enemy bogies or the dozens of bosses and minibosses". They added that they chose Gate of Thunder over its follow-up, Lords of Thunder, because it is lengthier.

Retrospective coverage

Retrospective reviews for Gate of Thunder have been equally positive.[22] [23] AllGames Shawn Sackenheim regarded it as one of the best shooters developed on the TurboGrafx-CD despite its simple nature, highly praising its hard rock soundtrack, detailed graphics, diverse backgrounds, lack of slowdown and flickering, and frenetic action but noted that the gameplay lacked innovation.[24] IGN Italias Andrea Corritore identified the game as one of the most important shooting games on the PC Engine, alongside Ginga Fukei Densetsu Sapphire, Lords of Thunder and Rayxanber III.[25] Reviewing the Virtual Console reissue, Nintendo Lifes Damien McFerran felt that the visuals surpassed those of Thunder Force IV and the best SNES offerings. Ferran highly commended the rock soundtrack, boss designs and cutscenes but he concurred with Sackenheim in regards to the gameplay, stating that "there's nothing here that will shock or surprise veterans of the genre".[26]

Reviewing the Virtual Console re-release, GameSpots Frank Provo said that the game is overly short and lacking in innovation, particularly noting the lack of any way of dealing with enemies other than shooting them but the memorable level and boss designs, well-conceived weapons system and consistently outstanding soundtrack make it a worthwhile purchase.[27] Eurogamers Dan Whitehead called it a cult title when reviewing the Virtual Console relaunch, praising the catchy melodic rock music and rewarding level design. He said it was not the most innovative shooter in terms of overall gameplay, but he felt it was still one of the best.[28] Reviewing the Virtual Console release, IGNs Lucas M. Thomas concurred with Provo on most points but argued that Gate of Thunder makes a number of innovations to the shooter genre.[29]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Gate of Thunder manual (TurboGrafx-CD, US)
  2. Web site: McKenna. Keelan. TOP TURBO GAMES: Gate of Thunder — Intense space battles! Huge enemy bosses! And one rockin' soundtrack!. Hudson Entertainment. 2007. 2021-09-27. 2007-12-21. https://web.archive.org/web/20071221234801/http://www.hudsonent.com/feature.php?f=TOP_TURBO_GAMES__Gate_of_Thunder&feature_id=%A0%9F%A7%AB%9A. live.
  3. Gate of Thunder. Red Company. Hudson Soft. February 21, 1992. TurboGrafx-CD. Staff roll.
  4. Web site: Company. CAProduction. C.A.Production co., Ltd.. 1998. 2021-09-27. ja. 2020-10-01. https://web.archive.org/web/20201001160606/https://www.caproduction.co.jp/company/. dead.
  5. Web site: 「-CHASE- 未解決事件捜査課 ~遠い記憶~」インタビュー【前編】- 元CING、金崎泰輔氏登場!その波瀾万丈な業界歴、新作の魅力を聞く. GAME Watch. Impress Corporation. May 9, 2016. 2021-09-27. ja. 2020-11-07. https://web.archive.org/web/20201107132918/https://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/interview/755220.html. live.
  6. Ray. Manami. 『サンダーフォースIII』はいかにして『セガ3D復刻アーカイブス3』に収録されることになったのか? 元テクノソフト新井氏を交えてのスタッフインタビュー. Famitsu. Kadokawa Corporation. October 8, 2016. ja. 2021-09-27. 2016-10-07. https://web.archive.org/web/20161007170028/https://www.famitsu.com/news/201610/08117666.html. live. (Translation by Shmuplations.).
  7. Book: Szczepaniak, John. Yuichi Toyama. The Untold History of Japanese Game Developers. 3. S.M.G. Szczepaniak. February 21, 2018. 978-0992926083.
  8. Web site: Hall. Alexandra. Gate of Thunder Had A Weird Duran Duran Connection. Kotaku. G/O Media. September 8, 2020. 2021-09-27. 2021-07-28. https://web.archive.org/web/20210728135958/https://kotaku.com/gate-of-thunder-had-a-weird-duran-duran-connection-1844980190. live.
  9. Gate of Thunder. TurboForce. 1. Sendai Publishing. June 1992. 22.
  10. Book: ゲート オブ サンダー. Gate of Thunder. ハドソン魔境: 原人爆発伝説. Hudson Makyou: Legend of the Original Explosion. Out Comics. Minori Shobo. January 6, 1992. ja.
  11. Club Turbo Hardware Corner: Turbo Duo / Super System Card; Five Games—A 250$ Value—In Every TurboDuo Box. Club Turbo. 2. Turbo Technologies, Inc.. January 1992. 4–5.
  12. Bieniek. Chris. Coming Soon... - Future — Gate of Thunder (3-In-1). TurboPlay. 14. Larry Flynt Publications. August–September 1992. 30. 2021-09-27. 2021-08-11. https://web.archive.org/web/20210811154953/https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File%3ATurboPlay_US_14.pdf&page=30. live.
  13. Turbo Duo: Bundled Software - Five games are included in the value-packed release of the Turbo Duo. TurboForce. 2. Sendai Publishing. September 1992. 6.
  14. Bieniek. Chris. Duo Tips: Gate of Thunder ("3-in1" Disc - TTI/Super CD) — Hidden Game. DuoWorld. 1. Larry Flynt Publications. July–August 1993. 18.
  15. TurboNews: COMDEX. TurboForce. 3. Sendai Publishing. January 1993. 4.
  16. Web site: HCD-2041 | 1993 Hudson CD•ROM² Complete Music Works. vgmdb.net. VGMdb. 2021-09-27. 2019-05-12. https://web.archive.org/web/20190512042332/https://vgmdb.net/album/6154. live.
  17. Web site: 任天堂、「バーチャルコンソール」の12月配信タイトルを公開. Dengeki Online. ASCII Media Works. November 30, 2007. 2021-09-27. ja.
  18. Web site: ginger. PlayStation Store最新情報。「ぽっちゃり☆プリンセス ポータブル」がいよいよ3月11日に配信開始!. 4Gamer.net. Aetas Inc.. March 10, 2010. 2021-09-27. ja.
  19. Web site: ゲート オブ サンダー. PlayStation Official Site Software Catalog. Sony Interactive Entertainment. 2021. 2021-09-27. ja. 2018-10-15. https://web.archive.org/web/20181015153100/https://www.jp.playstation.com/software/title/jp0555npjj30011_00gateofthundejs13.html. live.
  20. PC Engine All Catalog '93 10月号特別付録 - ゲート オブ サンダー. PC Engine Fan. 6. 10. Tokuma Shoten. October 1, 1993. 75. ja.
  21. Eggebrecht. Julian. Julian Eggebrecht. News: Engine-Ereignisse - Gate of Thunder. . 6. Markt & Technik. February 1992. 21. de.
  22. Web site: Laurie. Malcolm. GATE OF THUNDER (HUDSONSOFT/RED - PCE DUO). SHMUPS!. GameSpy. 2007. 2021-09-30. https://web.archive.org/web/20090622092238/http://shmups.classicgaming.gamespy.com/reviews/gateofthunder/index.html. 2009-06-22. dead.
  23. Book: PCエンジンソフト完全カタログ 1992年 - ゲート オブ サンダー. PC Engine Complete Guide 1987-1999. Nostalgic Game Console Encyclopedia. 1. Standards. June 15, 2018. 125. ja. 9784866362670.
  24. Web site: Sackenheim. Shawn. Gate of Thunder (TurboGrafx-16 CD) - Review. AllGame. All Media Network. 1998. 2021-09-08. 2014-11-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20141114202522/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=15144&tab=review. live.
  25. Web site: Corritore. Andrea. PC-Engine: quando la leggenda diviene realtà. IGN Italia. Vusumo. December 12, 2006. 2021-09-08. it. 2018-07-04. https://web.archive.org/web/20180704010137/http://it.ign.com/ign-retro/119474/feature/pc-engine-quando-la-leggenda-diviene-realta. live.
  26. Web site: McFerran. Damien. Gate of Thunder Review (TG-16) - The legendary sci-fi shooter is back!. Nintendo Life. Nlife Media. October 15, 2007. 2021-09-08. 2021-01-17. https://web.archive.org/web/20210117134109/https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/2007/10/gate_of_thunder_virtual_console. live.
  27. Web site: Provo. Frank. Gate of Thunder Review - Hectic action, smartly conceived weapons, and one heck of a soundtrack all make up for this shooter's lack of innovation. GameSpot. CBS Interactive. October 18, 2007. 2021-09-08. 2019-02-21. https://web.archive.org/web/20190221015042/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/gate-of-thunder-review/1900-6181292/. live.
  28. Web site: Whitehead. Dan. Virtual Console Roundup - Gate of Thunder, World Heroes and Castlevania 2. Eurogamer. Gamer Network. October 19, 2007. 2021-09-08. 2021-08-12. https://web.archive.org/web/20210812060301/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_vcround_201007. live.
  29. Web site: M. Thomas. Lucas. Gate of Thunder Review - Explosive shooting action, with a killer CD-quality soundtrack. IGN. Ziff Davis. November 8, 2007. 2021-09-08. 2019-03-27. https://web.archive.org/web/20190327234754/https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/11/09/gate-of-thunder-review. live.