Thunder Force V: Should I get it for Saturn or Playstation?

[GaiaSeed]

I'm very interested in this shmup. Of course there are other great shmups, but I'm talking about Thunder force V.

Which would you say is better graphically? The PS1 version or Saturn?

Which had better performance?

Lastly, which one is more valuable in your opinion?

[Austin]

Saturn version is better graphically but has an inconsistent framerate. PS1 version is inferior graphically but has a consistent/rock solid framerate. It should also cost you a good bit less. Take your pick.

[Pretas]

Note that Working Designs' US PS1 release of TFV has an utterly borked scoring system, thanks to Vic Ireland's characteristic meddling. Game mechanics are intact otherwise though, so it at least doesn't feel different like most of WD's butcher jobs.

[mamboFoxtrot]

Christ, they felt the need to meddle with this one, too? Working Designs has got to have one of the most ironic names in video game history...
Good thing I don't care too much about scoring.

[Captain]

Watch videos and/or try out roms, and decide for yourself.

I prefer PS.

[Despatche]

wait, so the original japanese playstation version uses the original scoring? that changes things immensely

Christ, they felt the need to meddle with this one, too? Working Designs has got to have one of the most ironic names in video game history...
Good thing I don't care too much about scoring.

tf5's is the only one that's actually broken. anyone who's not crazy understands that all of their game changes are strict improvements; popful mail and silhouette mirage in particular are already really easy as is

[EmperorIng]

Also, to be fair, scoring in a game that has counterstop boss milking is not exactly going to win any awards in that department.

I vote PS, though if you have the chance, you can probably skip TF5 and just go straight to TF3 and Lightening Force/TF4.

Saturn version is more "valuable" but for ultimately insignificant reasons.

tf5's is the only one that's actually broken. anyone who's not crazy understands that all of their game changes are strict improvements

While I mostly agree, playing through Elemental Gearbolt with its "50% more difficulty!" [proudly] inserted makes me wish for what could have been.

[Xyga]

Saturn version: just for the astounding stage 3 backgrounds and superior sound quality.

[Kollision]

Weren't these people the same that made Raystorm even more impossible than it already was by locking the default difficulty at level 5 if you wanted to complete the game in the NA port?
Holy shit, now I have to track down JPN TF5 as well?

[Despatche]

isn't raystorm notoriously easy? from everything i've heard about that game, it may as well need full difficulty 8

(my total failure at playing the game at all notwithstanding)

[EmperorIng]

isn't raystorm notoriously easy?

Its difficulty comes more from its awkward perspective and polygons than any of the bullet patterns it spits out at you. And lack of extends, which is bullshit.

[Kollision]

isn't raystorm notoriously easy?

says who?
if it's that easy, why has the HS thread in this forum been almost totally abandoned for years?

[louisg]

I'd go for Saturn. The PS1 is missing a lot of effects, even if it does run better. Most of the framedrop weirdness in the Saturn one is in stage 1; I don't remember it being an issue elsewhere, including the really busy awesome looking final stage.

[Mortificator]

isn't raystorm notoriously easy?

says who?
if it's that easy, why has the HS thread in this forum been almost totally abandoned for years?

Yeah, RayStorm's as easy as a brick wall is soft.

Did Working Designs mess with RayCrisis' mechanics? The only changes I know of are removing the PocketStation minigame and changing Sem-Slut to Sem-Strut.

[MintyTheCat]

Saturn version is the better version I felt. Not sure which is the most expensive these days.

[Despatche]

says who?

I definitely recall jokes and complaints about RayStorm's supposed low difficulty being a common sight a few years ago and before.

if it's that easy, why has the HS thread in this forum been almost totally abandoned for years?

I think you understand as well as I do that this has nothing to do with difficulty.

[Kollision]

I definitely recall jokes and complaints about RayStorm's supposed low difficulty being a common sight a few years ago and before.

I'd love to read these jokes. Where are they?

I think you understand as well as I do that this has nothing to do with difficulty.

you have a point there, I agree

however, in my experience Raystorm is probably one of the hardest shmups I have ever played
Rayforce is baby talk compared to it

[EmperorIng]

I don't know if that added difficulty is to RayStorm's credit, though (still give you mad props on the clear though).

And like most taito shmups, RayStorm is pretty much on autopilot until ~st4.

Compare this to TF5, which is on autopilot until the final boss!

[louisg]

Compare this to TF5, which is on autopilot until the final boss!

Heheh yeah, once you learn to work the game it's mostly a cruise 'em up. I think that final level is challenging though.

[mehguy]

it's a tough one for me. I'd say just the console you'd have the most access to.

[Obiwanshinobi]

The US PSX TFV has got analogue controls that, if memory serves, actually work pretty well. I think you need to enable analogue by pressing the button.
I don't think either version is much of a looker, even by the first-gen "2.5D" shmup standards. Nicer than R-Type Delta perhaps, but it's not saying much.

[Limbrooke]

Saturn. PS1 is ok but Saturn is where its at.

[tizerist]

PS1 version.
I haven't seen much of the saturn version but you can improve the visuals of the ps1 version by playing it on a ps2 or an emulator. And you can choose analogue controls.

[Limbrooke]

however, in my experience Raystorm is probably one of the hardest shmups I have ever played

RayStorm is pretty challenging game and given the variety/difficulty of multiplying up enemies pretty early on (Stage 3 begins rather tough) may explain why the high score topic sees little action.

All the same, Saturn Thunder Force 5 is a good game and unaltered which is really my only argument against PS1. It's preferable on those grounds alone. It has good length in 24 minutes for a clear and offers an interesting challenge to max the score out which is not a walk in park.