Lords of Thunder - Sega CD

[burgerkingdiamond]

I just played LOT this for the first time today on my computer using GENS. I shut it off during the first level because the SFX from my weapon were so obnoxious that I couldn't stand it. For a game with such awesome music I was really annoyed by it. I was using the fire armor and some kind of flame thrower weapon (maybe other elements don't have such loud weapons. IDK)...

Is this an issue with original hardware, or is it just an emulation thing? I realize this is probably nitpicking, but seriously, these SFX are super loud and really drowning out the music.

[Drum]

Never bothered me in the TG-16 version, never played the Sega CD version so cannot advise sorry. Great game anyway.

[Sizone]

My guess is that it's an emulation issue. Despite the commonality and fairly simple design of the Genesis sound chip, it's always been really poorly emulated (the sfx in Ecco are a pretty striking example). You may want to give it a try with Kega, there should be some CD/soundchip mix options in there if nothing else. And, yeah, there is always the PCE CD version which will have nicer colors.

[Kiken]

And, yeah, there is always the PCE CD version which will have nicer colors.

It's also more difficult than the the Sega CD version, although the SCD rev features additional layers of parallax in the backgrounds. It should also be noted that the two versions have different soundtracks.

[Mortificator]

I would say the sound effects can be a little louder than I'd like even on the PCE version of Lords of Thunder, though it's not as bad as Gate of Thunder. Fortunately, Mednafen has separate volume settings for the PSG and CD-DA audio.

[Obiwanshinobi]

I thought the sound effects in Gate of Thunder were superb (at least via my very "soft" headphones, played on Ootake). Most cracking explosions on any console back then, without a doubt.

[GrantWindsor]

It's actually a problem with the port to the Sega CD, as this is present when running a legitimate disk on actual hardware. This is not my least favorite "enhancement" over the PC Engine original, though; that honor goes to the momentary stutter of your character after being hit. Other than a more manageable difficulty for some, there is no advantage this port holds over the original.

[burgerkingdiamond]

Thanks people. I would rather play the PC ENGINE version, but I don't feel like burning a CD. The reason I went for the SEGA CD version is that you can just load the iso like a rom without needing to read anything from the disk drive.

[Drum]

Thanks people. I would rather play the PC ENGINE version, but I don't feel like burning a CD. The reason I went for the SEGA CD version is that you can just load the iso like a rom without needing to read anything from the disk drive.

It's also on vc if you own a wii.

[Mortificator]

And you don't need to burn anything with PC-based PCE emulation either, though it's slightly more complex. Here's what my Mednafen .bat file looks like right now...

@ echo off
mednafen -dfmd5 0 -snapname 1 -ffspeed 4 -ffnosound 1 -fs 1 -pce.xres 1280 -pce.yres 800 -pce.xscalefs 3.46 -pce.yscalefs 3.46 -pce.special 0 -pce.videoip 0 -pce.pixshader none -pce.cdpsgvolume 100 -pce.cddavolume 170 -ngp.xres 1280 -ngp.yres 800 -ngp.xscalefs 5.2 -ngp.yscalefs 5.2 -ngp.special hq2x -wswan.xres 1280 -wswan.yres 800 -wswan.xscalefs 5.5 -wswan.yscalefs 5.5 -wswan.special scale3x -lynx.xres 1280 -lynx.yres 800 -lynx.xscalefs 7.8 -lynx.yscalefs 7.8 -pce.cdbios "C:\Emulators\mednafen-0.8.D\cdbios.exe" -loadcd pce "C:\Emulators\mednafen-0.8.D\Lords of Thunder\Lords of Thunder (U).cue"

I just double-click that and get Lords of Thunder. Of course, the paths would be different on you machine, and you'd want different settings depending on your monitor's native resolution and your filtering preferences. You should also give game images a once-over with TocFixer before using them.

[NZA]

I've played both and never had a problem with the sounds, but I definitely suggest getting the Wii virtual console version. I like the graphics of the PCe a little more than sega's.

[Obiwanshinobi]

Thanks people. I would rather play the PC ENGINE version, but I don't feel like burning a CD. The reason I went for the SEGA CD version is that you can just load the iso like a rom without needing to read anything from the disk drive.

Golly! You don't need to burn anything. Just mount the disc image in a virtual drive (DAEMON Tools) and choose that drive in the Ootake settings.
Virtual drive is a must if you are into piracy (or just computer gaming).

[ELabit]

it's annoying because you should be using water armor all the way!

[The Coop]

It should also be noted that the two versions have different soundtracks.

They're not so much different as they are different styles of rock/metal. One has a polished, mid-late '80s hair metal feel with some added synths in the background, while the other has more early '90s, grungier vibe. Same compositions though.

[null1024]

Please stop using Gens, go get Kega Fusion this instant for your Genesis/SegaCD/32X needs [I'd list the other systems it emulates, but there are better Master System and whatnot emulators IIRC].

Also, if you are using an emu that doesn't support CD images [to play the PCE version], I've used VirtualCloneDrive.

[louisg]

I'd recommend Mednafen for playing PCE CD images without burning them too.. it's a very good emulator.

[Herr Schatten]

it's annoying because you should be using earth armor all the way!

Corrected.

[NZA]

I second Earth armor. Don't let all the box art and cutscenes fool you.

[Fudoh]

really guys ? I've been playing this game since it's release and I always used water throughout the game and earth just for final enemy.

[NZA]

Well, water has better defensive properties, but I always seem to kill faster with Earth.

[CIT]

I use Earth for everything except Cieldom, I think the ability to shoot backwards with Wind comes in very handy in that stage.

I think the PCE version is much better, however the Mega CD version has a much less annoying jewel-collection sound!

[ptoing]

I only ever played the PCE version and have to say it is the easiest 1cc I ever had.
Cleared it on normal on my first proper go where I put my mind to it (my 3rd actual play) and got to the last level on very hard on my first try after that.

Still good fun and very cool music.

[burgerkingdiamond]

thanks for all the emu tips. I just started taking a class for my grad degree so I have no idea when I'll have time to try them out

[Austin]

I only ever played the PCE version and have to say it is the easiest 1cc I ever had.
Cleared it on normal on my first proper go where I put my mind to it (my 3rd actual play) and got to the last level.

You won't be saying that if you play it on the hardest mode. Suicide bullets galore.

The Sega CD one is much easier overall even on the hardest mode (no suicide bullets).

[ptoing]

Is there a harder mode than "very hard"? Because I am sure I played it on that and got to last level.
I found the whole powerup thing quite abusable, because you can power yourself up quite a lot and bombspam bosses.

[Herr Schatten]

bombspam bosses.

I'm pretty sure that's what you are supposed to do.

[ptoing]

Probably

[Austin]

Is there a harder mode than "very hard"? Because I am sure I played it on that and got to last level.
I found the whole powerup thing quite abusable, because you can power yourself up quite a lot and bombspam bosses.

"Super" is the hardest mode, if I remember right, after Hard or Very Hard. And if you didn't encounter loads of suicide bullets, you weren't playing on the hardest mode (again, PCE version only, Sega CD one doesn't have them).

[ptoing]

I might have been playing the SCD version then, because I do not recall suicide bullets.

[Edmond Dantes]

I should probably check out the Sega CD version. Sounds like a good shmup for weenies like me who can't beat shmups.