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NEC TG-16/TE/TurboDuo => TG-16/TE/TurboDuo Discussion => Topic started by: Arjak on July 11, 2007, 03:45:20 PM

Title: Another Lords of Thunder version comparison
Post by: Arjak on July 11, 2007, 03:45:20 PM
I found another Lords of Thunder Comparison of the Duo and Sega CD versions.  This one is from a Sega Genesis site. Check it out, you might be surprised. I like how the article (in my opinion at least) is fairly unbiased, and is much more in depth, unlike a similar article on a certain site I could mention... :P

Here's the link:

http://www.sega-16.com/Side%20By%20Side-%20Lords%20of%20Thunder.php (http://www.sega-16.com/Side By Side- Lords of Thunder.php)
Title: Re: Another Lords of Thunder version comparison
Post by: Joe Redifer on July 11, 2007, 03:56:02 PM
The a$$hole who wrote that can go straight to hell!!
Title: Re: Another Lords of Thunder version comparison
Post by: Arjak on July 11, 2007, 03:58:03 PM
*Looks at the last poster's user name, then checks the article again*

Uh... yeah.
Title: Re: Another Lords of Thunder version comparison
Post by: MrFulci on July 11, 2007, 04:00:13 PM
Sega-16... I like their site, I visit there from time to time. It's updated often and the review archive is pretty nice.

That's something I'd like to see on this site, more reviews....
Title: Re: Another Lords of Thunder version comparison
Post by: nodtveidt on July 11, 2007, 04:02:43 PM
The review was pretty on-the-mark. I was surprised, especially with it being on a Sega site. Just too bad the reviewer doesn't know more about the game development process, or he'd understand why it's completely absurd to think it was a "quick and sloppy port", considering the architectures between the two machines are like night and day.
Title: Re: Another Lords of Thunder version comparison
Post by: Joe Redifer on July 11, 2007, 04:09:05 PM
Quick and sloppy compared to how it should of been.  Obviously it was not optimized for the Sega hardware.
Title: Re: Another Lords of Thunder version comparison
Post by: Turbo D on July 11, 2007, 04:18:27 PM
exactly, but I don't think that they would optimize it for sega console and have it outsell their own, right?
Title: Re: Another Lords of Thunder version comparison
Post by: Joe Redifer on July 11, 2007, 04:19:27 PM
Who knows what their logic was even putting it on a Sega system in the first place?  Well, it was $$$ obviously.  I don't think the Sega version was released in Japan.
Title: Re: Another Lords of Thunder version comparison
Post by: Black Tiger on July 11, 2007, 05:13:03 PM
Although they could've improved in some areas(just like most games) I think that they did an extra good job with the actual graphics, considering how they had been tailor made for the PC Engine.

Some scenes look identical and can only be distinguished from the original by examining them. Even though there is sometimes almost half as many colors being used.

In the end I think its a great port of an amazing game.
Title: Re: Another Lords of Thunder version comparison
Post by: Tatsujin on July 11, 2007, 07:09:16 PM
a good friend of mine once made a 1-live-clear on both systems and recorded it. his friend then fitted both vids next to on a screen where you can see the differences synchronous. unfortunatelly the vid is no longer on the net, i believe. will ask him to put it up again.
Title: Re: Another Lords of Thunder version comparison
Post by: spenoza on July 12, 2007, 03:44:14 AM
I would so love to see that vid. If you find it, please post it.
Title: Re: Another Lords of Thunder version comparison
Post by: malducci on July 12, 2007, 12:56:40 PM
Although they could've improved in some areas(just like most games) I think that they did an extra good job with the actual graphics, considering how they had been tailor made for the PC Engine.

Some scenes look identical and can only be distinguished from the original by examining them. Even though there is sometimes almost half as many colors being used.

In the end I think its a great port of an amazing game.

 They did add a few improvements. Mostly some extra scrolls here and there, and the desert level boss moves up and down as it walks. I think they added something to the last level or last boss - can't remember.

 Some of the enemies colors bothered me though, like the yellow & blue enemies of the desert level. Otherwise, on a TV the color reduction isn't really noticeable thanks to Sega's blurry output - plus they did a great job with the overall color reduction.

 
Title: Re: Another Lords of Thunder version comparison
Post by: Black Tiger on July 12, 2007, 01:42:03 PM
They did add a few improvements. Mostly some extra scrolls here and there, and the desert level boss moves up and down as it walks. I think they added something to the last level or last boss - can't remember.

 Some of the enemies colors bothered me though, like the yellow & blue enemies of the desert level. Otherwise, on a TV the color reduction isn't really noticeable thanks to Sega's blurry output - plus they did a great job with the overall color reduction.

The final boss wavy scrolls into oblivion after you beat him. Its cool that they tried something different, but it takes longer to wait for it to finish and the ending to begin than it does to actually beat him. :P

If I remember correctly, aside from the extra layer here or there, the Sega-CD is also missing one or two scrolling sections overall.
Title: Re: Another Lords of Thunder version comparison
Post by: Tatsujin on July 12, 2007, 02:13:34 PM
If I remember correctly, aside from the extra layer here or there, the Sega-CD is also missing one or two scrolling sections overall.

but in contrary, a nice thing of the MCD version is the blue BG at some boss stages where the BG got a linescrolling wobble effect. which doesn't appear in the original.
Title: Re: Another Lords of Thunder version comparison
Post by: spenoza on July 12, 2007, 03:07:47 PM
Graphical limitations aside, the Sega CD does have a lot of extra horsepower that sure wasn't utilized in this port, line-scroll or no.
Title: Re: Another Lords of Thunder version comparison
Post by: Black Tiger on July 12, 2007, 03:11:46 PM
Graphical limitations aside, the Sega CD does have a lot of extra horsepower that sure wasn't utilized in this port, line-scroll or no.

The Sega-CD's extra horsepower is under utilized in all Sega-CD games. :wink:
Title: Re: Another Lords of Thunder version comparison
Post by: sideshow on July 12, 2007, 03:19:08 PM
The main aspect that really made me hate the Sega CD version is just like what the reviews says about the main firepower sound effects.  Lets just say that listening to somebody scratch a chalk board is much more soothing to the ears.
Title: Re: Another Lords of Thunder version comparison
Post by: Black Tiger on July 12, 2007, 03:20:30 PM
The main aspect that really made me hate the Sega CD version is just like what the reviews says about the main firepower sound effects.  Lets just say that listening to somebody scratch a chalk board is much more soothing to the ears.

Thats why you're better off getting a Model-1 Genesis + Sega-CD combo so you can control the volume of the effects. :)
Title: Re: Another Lords of Thunder version comparison
Post by: Tatsujin on July 12, 2007, 03:48:56 PM
Graphical limitations aside, the Sega CD does have a lot of extra horsepower that sure wasn't utilized in this port, line-scroll or no.

agree. i don't defense the MCD for its overall "worse" appearance, but this was one of the only points which i could spot out which really looks better than on the PCE WoT. anyway, in what the MCD version makes me really disappointing is the much worse color palette it uses.
Title: Re: Another Lords of Thunder version comparison
Post by: nodtveidt on July 12, 2007, 04:13:12 PM
agree. i don't defense the MCD for its overall "worse" appearance, but this was one of the only points which i could spot out which really looks better than on the PCE WoT. anyway, in what the MCD version makes me really disappointing is the much worse color palette it uses.
I don't think they changed the palette very much...well, a color reduction was probably necessary (LoT on the Sega CD does have noticeable dithering in many areas). But I think the real problem lies in the fact that the color encoder in the Genesis/Megadrive isn't quite as nice as the one in the PCE. In an emulator, the games look pretty much the same color-wise.
Title: Re: Another Lords of Thunder version comparison
Post by: malducci on July 12, 2007, 04:17:57 PM
The game play is slightly different, too. You might not notice it right off the bat, but after a few rounds you will. I noticed this when I was testing the dual boot CD back to back.

 Anyway, it is cool that they made the port. A GOT port would have been cool to see too.
Title: Re: Another Lords of Thunder version comparison
Post by: Black Tiger on July 12, 2007, 04:34:44 PM
I would've prefered a port of Dungeon Explorer II for Sega-CD over the original version.

Hopefuly with a redone soundtrack to boot. :)
Title: Re: Another Lords of Thunder version comparison
Post by: Joe Redifer on July 12, 2007, 08:18:01 PM
I have Dungeon Explorer for the Sega CD.  It is pretty much nothing like the TurboGrafx-16 original.  The concept is similar, but that's about it.
Title: Re: Another Lords of Thunder version comparison
Post by: nat on July 13, 2007, 03:05:42 PM
I've been tempted to try the SEGA CD version but the original Dungeon Explorer is one of my favorite games of all time and has a special place in my heart. I can't see myself being anything but disappointed with the SEGA version.

I read SEGA-16's comparison of the two a year or two ago (did you do that one too, Joe?) and it all but confirmed my fears. Although I'll never really know until I try it.
Title: Re: Another Lords of Thunder version comparison
Post by: Joe Redifer on July 13, 2007, 03:42:18 PM
No, I don't think that I did that one.  I did an Aero Blasters/Air Busters one, though.  PCE Dungeon Explorer even has better music than the Sega CD version... by leaps and bounds!  Some of the Sega CD music isn't bad, though.  And the voices almost remind me of Fighting Street... they're that awesome!
Title: Re: Another Lords of Thunder version comparison
Post by: GUTS on July 13, 2007, 04:34:10 PM
Dungeon Explorer on Sega CD is a decent game, anybody who says otherwise is a dipshit.  The Duo games are better, but that doesn't mean the Sega CD version isn't a good game that's worth playing.  The SNES Dungeon Explorer though, that game is total shit, ugh.
Title: Re: Another Lords of Thunder version comparison
Post by: nat on July 13, 2007, 06:13:46 PM
What, that Crystal Beans game?

Is that even Dungeon Explorer or a third-party lookalike? I was never sure.
Title: Re: Another Lords of Thunder version comparison
Post by: esteban on July 14, 2007, 02:34:25 AM
What, that Crystal Beans game?

Is that even Dungeon Explorer or a third-party lookalike? I was never sure.
Hudson definitely tried to extend their Dungeon Explorer series, but it never really went anywhere. It would have been awesome if DE Sega CD had been successful enough to spawn a similarly-designed sequel (I'm not the biggest fan of the Sega DE, but as GUTS said, it was by no means a bad game... although the music was pretty darn generic for a DE game). Personally, I always think of the Sega DE as a "spin off" of the series since it has such a different look and feel than the other games in the series.

Crystal Beans -- I got this from someone here at this forum, and I haven't finished it yet, but I would have liked to see another SNES installment. Unfortunately, Crystal Beans is not nearly as fun as the TG-16 titles.
Title: Re: Another Lords of Thunder version comparison
Post by: Black Tiger on July 14, 2007, 03:46:04 AM
I've been tempted to try the SEGA CD version but the original Dungeon Explorer is one of my favorite games of all time and has a special place in my heart. I can't see myself being anything but disappointed with the SEGA version.

I read SEGA-16's comparison of the two a year or two ago (did you do that one too, Joe?) and it all but confirmed my fears. Although I'll never really know until I try it.

I'm pretty sure that that was one of the bad/super-biased Sega vs Turbo comparisons.

Its bad enough that they're comparing one of from the very last Sega-CD games with one of the very first PC Engine HuCard games instead of the CD game Dungeon Explorer II which also predates the Sega game.

But I'm pretty sure that its also one of the comparisons that says the Turbo version sux cuz the Turbo only has composite out, but the Sega version rox cuz a Genesis can be modded for S-Video out. :roll:
Title: Re: Another Lords of Thunder version comparison
Post by: Joe Redifer on July 14, 2007, 01:31:03 PM
Holy crap it does say that! 

**Sells Turbo version, goes out and buys Sega CD version**
Title: Re: Another Lords of Thunder version comparison
Post by: nat on July 14, 2007, 01:51:56 PM
I just revisited that review for the first time in a while.... If you scroll down, at least the reviewer admits the truth about his choice for the SEGA CD version being superior:

Quote
I personally prefer Dungeon Explorer on the Sega CD, but that has more to do with my being a Sega nut than the game actually being better.

I also listened to the sample music track from the SEGA CD version. Unfortunately, it doesn't sound like the Dungeon Explorer (or II) that I'm used to.
Title: Re: Another Lords of Thunder version comparison
Post by: esteban on July 14, 2007, 03:16:32 PM
Quote
I personally prefer Dungeon Explorer on the Sega CD, but that has more to do with my being a Sega nut than the game actually being better.

I also listened to the sample music track from the SEGA CD version. Unfortunately, it doesn't sound like the Dungeon Explorer (or II) that I'm used to.

I can rip the whole soundtrack for you, but, to be honest, it really isn't worth it! It's not bad, it fits the game and sounds very polished / professional, but it isn't charming like DE HuCard or DEII.
Title: Re: Another Lords of Thunder version comparison
Post by: malducci on July 14, 2007, 04:28:48 PM
Why not make a SegaCD version with DE II's tracks?
Title: Re: Another Lords of Thunder version comparison
Post by: Joe Redifer on July 14, 2007, 04:50:16 PM
The track lengths do not match.
Title: Re: Another Lords of Thunder version comparison
Post by: Turbo D on July 14, 2007, 06:07:26 PM
Why not make a SegaCD version with DE II's tracks?

you should make a dual boot like you did with lot.
Title: Re: Another Lords of Thunder version comparison
Post by: ParanoiaDragon on July 14, 2007, 08:08:09 PM
Quote
I personally prefer Dungeon Explorer on the Sega CD, but that has more to do with my being a Sega nut than the game actually being better.


I also listened to the sample music track from the SEGA CD version. Unfortunately, it doesn't sound like the Dungeon Explorer (or II) that I'm used to.

I can rip the whole soundtrack for you, but, to be honest, it really isn't worth it! It's not bad, it fits the game and sounds very polished / professional, but it isn't charming like DE HuCard or DEII.


I already have the soundtrack right here, though, I had no idea where the songs go, so I just ripped them as they are on the cd & left them that way.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=VRTRBAX6

Also, I have Crystal Beans from Dungeon Explorer here http://www.megaupload.com/?d=0T94PMMU
Title: Re: Another Lords of Thunder version comparison
Post by: esteban on July 15, 2007, 04:23:39 AM
Quote
I personally prefer Dungeon Explorer on the Sega CD, but that has more to do with my being a Sega nut than the game actually being better.


I also listened to the sample music track from the SEGA CD version. Unfortunately, it doesn't sound like the Dungeon Explorer (or II) that I'm used to.

I can rip the whole soundtrack for you, but, to be honest, it really isn't worth it! It's not bad, it fits the game and sounds very polished / professional, but it isn't charming like DE HuCard or DEII.


I already have the soundtrack right here, though, I had no idea where the songs go, so I just ripped them as they are on the cd & left them that way.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=VRTRBAX6

Also, I have Crystal Beans from Dungeon Explorer here http://www.megaupload.com/?d=0T94PMMU
Awesome, thanks for that!

Umm, have you done Double Dragon II? If not, I'll rip that for sunteam_paul tonight and send it to you as well.
Title: Re: Another Lords of Thunder version comparison
Post by: Black Tiger on July 15, 2007, 05:08:24 AM
Also, I have Crystal Beans from Dungeon Explorer here http://www.megaupload.com/?d=0T94PMMU


Its pretty cool how Crystal Beans uses tracks from both DE I & II PCE. :)