Lords of Thunder (CD)

Crank the volume all the way up, because this is a shooter that thunders. Lords of Thunder in its CD version for the PC Engine is not just a game — it is an audiovisual showcase of what the console's CD add-on could pull off, and a soundtrack in the hard rock and heavy metal genre makes it an unmistakable experience from the very first second.

Unlike cosmic shmups, Lords of Thunder bets on a fantasy-flavored world and horizontal progression in which you control a winged warrior. The system of choosing armor according to the element is ingenious — before each level you choose between garments representing fire, water, wind and earth, each of which alters your attack as well as your defensive properties. This tactical layer adds a depth that is not a given in the genre, and forces you to think about how to approach each scenery and boss.

Visually the game astonishes. Detailed backgrounds, massive enemies and flashy animations showed that the PC Engine with the CD add-on was among the best of its time. But the true star is the music — guitar-charged tracks underscore the action with such energy that playing becomes a little concert. It is precisely the soundtrack that is the reason Lords of Thunder is especially revered among shooter fans.

Gameplay, meanwhile, does not remain in the shadow of the presentation. The pace is dynamic, you collect upgrades and crystals from defeated enemies, for which you then buy bonuses, and each level has its own identity. The combination of freedom of choice, pure action and gripping sound makes the game a title that fans return to again and again.

In an era when the CD medium was only just flexing its muscles, Lords of Thunder was a flagship — proof that shooters don't have to be just about reflexes, but also about atmosphere and style. To this day it ranks among the highest-rated shmups of the platform.

Why play: A gripping fantasy shooter with a rock CD soundtrack and a clever system of choosing armor by element — an audiovisual experience that hasn't aged.