Lords of Thunder Comparison (originally posted 12.1.2000)

[PCEngineFX]

IMPORTANT NOTE: All screen captures were done via a video capture card with each systems composite video connection plugged directly into the card. No altering has been done to any of the photos, which includes adjusting brightness, contrast, hue, color, or sharpness. In other words, the following photos have been untouched and very closely represent each systems graphic ability.

If you are a gamer, you should know this game. If not..well... I feel sorry for you Anyway, this is it - the big cheese - the comparison of all comparisons - the classic shooter Lords of Thunder compared on 3 platforms - the PC Engine, TurboDuo and SegaCD! We got it all here - high quality screen shots of each game, detailed differences between each version, and more...so let's get started!

THE INTROS & TITLES
NOTE: All versions of the game have the same exact intro with little differences.

PC Engine: Same intro as all other ports. Intro has narration during the first intro segment. Loading time only a few seconds.
TurboDuo: Same intro as all other ports. Intro has no narration (only music). Loading time only a few seconds.
SegaCD: Same intro as all other ports except animation seems a bit slower. Color in some scenes have a washed out look compared to the PCE/TurboDuo versions. Intro has narration all though intro. Loading time only a few seconds.

Screenshot #1 - PCE, Screenshot #2 - TurboDuo, Screenshot #3 - Sega CD


Screenshot #1 - TurboDuo, Screenshot #2 - Sega CD


Screenshot #1 - TurboDuo, Screenshot #2 - Sega CD


Screenshot #1 - TurboDuo, Screenshot #2 - Sega CD


PRE-GAME MENUS
PC Engine: Level select and armor select screens same as other versions. In the weapon/power-up store, the girl speaks in Japanese "How may I help you" and "Thank you very much" (with mouth movement).
TurboDuo: Level select and armor select screens same as other versions. In the weapon/power-up store the girl says nothing, with minimal animation.
SegaCD: Level select and armor select screens same as other versions. In the weapon/power-up store the girl says "How may I help you?" and "Thank you" in English (with mouth movement).

Screenshot #1 - TurboDuo, Screenshot #2 - Sega CD


Screenshot #1 - TurboDuo, Screenshot #2 - Sega CD


GAMEPLAY & GRAPHICS
PC Engine/TurboDuo: Gameplay, graphics, and levels identical.
SegaCD: Levels same as PC Engine/TurboDuo versions. When character gets hit, he cringes, hindering your ability to shoot for a second. Graphics in majority of game looked washed out, having less vibrent colors than the PC Engine/TurboDuo versions. When you hit an enemy, it doesn't flash like the PCE/TurboDuo version.

Screenshot #1 - TurboDuo, Screenshot #2 - Sega CD


Screenshot #1 - TurboDuo, Screenshot #2 - Sega CD


Screenshot #1 - TurboDuo, Screenshot #2 - Sega CD


Screenshot #1 - TurboDuo, Screenshot #2 - Sega CD


CONCLUSION: As you can plainly see, the SegaCD version suffers from less colors and sharpness than the PCE/TurboDuo version. However, the SegaCD version is closer port to the original PC Engine version than the TurboDuo version is (shop girl for example). Also the BG music is re-mixed for the SegaCD version, with a less hard-edged sound to it (but retains the same melody as the original PCE/TurboDuo versions). So which version is better? They are both basicly the same game, but since we are biased at pcengine-fx.com we would take the PCE/TurboDuo version over the SegaCD anyday