Скачать или смотреть Gate Of Thunder (PC Engine/TurboGrafx CD) Playthrough

Playthrough of Gate Of Thunder, Hudson's 1992 shoot 'em up for the PC Engine/TurboGrafx CD.

🎯 Includes getting all the hidden 1-UPs

Gate of Thunder, released in 1992 for the TurboGrafx-16 CD, is widely regarded as one of the standout shoot ’em ups on the platform. Developed by Red Company and published by Hudson Soft, it was a launch pack-in title for the TurboGrafx CD in North America, bundled with games like Bonk's Adventure and Bomberman. The game instantly impressed with its ability to push numerous enemies, projectiles, and parallax layers across the screen without slowdown, all while delivering a high-quality instrumental metal soundtrack that complemented the frantic gameplay. Even years later, the game remains a showcase of what the CD medium could achieve in terms of audio and visual presentation on a 16-bit system.

Players control Hawk, captain of the Hunting Dog spacecraft, as he defends the planet Aries from the forces of General Don Jingi. Hawk is supported by Esty, a companion who flies in the Wild Cat ship to deliver power-ups, shields, and weapons throughout the game’s seven stages. The gameplay is fast-paced, emphasizing aggressive movement and continual engagement with enemies rather than cautious positioning or checkpoint-based progression. Players can switch between three primary weapons—straight lasers, green wave shots, and red earthquake attacks—each of which can be upgraded to more powerful forms, culminating in screen-clearing super attacks. Additional gameplay elements include a shield that absorbs damage, homing missiles, and “option” satellites that mimic the ship’s attacks and can be manually aimed, providing tactical flexibility.

The game’s controls and mechanics are straightforward yet allow for strategic depth. Collecting matching weapon power-ups enhances offensive capabilities, but dying causes the loss of the currently equipped weapon, encouraging careful play. The inclusion of options that can pivot to fire behind the player, combined with a homing missile and shield system, ensures that even intense sequences remain manageable. The design of stages incorporates varied environments, from desert landscapes to metallic bases and occasional organic motifs, providing visual variety despite some repetition in structure compared to its peers.

Graphically, Gate of Thunder demonstrates a polished aesthetic, with smooth scrolling, detailed backgrounds, and large, distinct sprites. The parallax effects add depth to the action, and bosses are imposing both in size and attack patterns. While the level design occasionally lacks variety, the combination of visual effects, fast-paced gameplay, and responsive controls maintains player engagement throughout. The audio presentation is particularly notable: the Red Book CD-quality soundtrack offers instrumental hard rock tracks that heighten the intensity of the game, even if sound effects sometimes obscure the music during hectic moments.

While Gate of Thunder borrows heavily from Technosoft’s Thunder Force III, the similarities do not diminish its quality. The game refines many of the mechanics found in its inspiration, adding unique power-up systems, responsive options, and a compelling audiovisual presentation. Its difficulty is moderate on the default settings, making it accessible to new players while still offering increased challenge on higher difficulties. The scoring system is simple yet rewarding, with extra lives and points encouraging mastery of the stages.

Overall, Gate of Thunder is a well-crafted shoot ’em up that exemplifies the strengths of the PC Engine CD platform. It delivers exhilarating gameplay, memorable music, and solid visual design, making it a favorite among fans of the system and the genre. While it may lack some originality due to its clear inspiration from Thunder Force III, it succeeds in executing its design with precision, ensuring that the experience remains enjoyable and memorable even decades after its release.