Re-re-reviewing this now that I've really sunk my teeth into III and IV, knowing what both games aim to achieve as shmups.
Compared to IV and other shooters, Thunder Force III is a pretty barebones game with some amateurishly-implemented enemy and stage patterns, as well as a general lack of difficulty that feels worth engaging with. The few moments of genuine challenge here are products of cheap shots rather than clever design.
B U T
TF III is still really fun to play because it's just a good, comfortable, aesthetic spectacle. Even if the weapon system here isn't as well-integrated as IV, they still feel great to use as standard tools of destruction. The soundtrack isn't as good as IV, but still rocks and has a few standout tracks, like stage 6 and the boss themes. Every stage throws setpieces at you at a strong, consistent pace that keeps the game engaging from start to finish, even if they aren't very mechanically compelling.
You don't really play TF III to play a shmup in the way most people are accustomed to: You play TFIII to effortlessly take down a lot of cool enemies in a half-hour while listening to cool tunes on cool planets. And that's okay.
Compared to IV and other shooters, Thunder Force III is a pretty barebones game with some amateurishly-implemented enemy and stage patterns, as well as a general lack of difficulty that feels worth engaging with. The few moments of genuine challenge here are products of cheap shots rather than clever design.
B U T
TF III is still really fun to play because it's just a good, comfortable, aesthetic spectacle. Even if the weapon system here isn't as well-integrated as IV, they still feel great to use as standard tools of destruction. The soundtrack isn't as good as IV, but still rocks and has a few standout tracks, like stage 6 and the boss themes. Every stage throws setpieces at you at a strong, consistent pace that keeps the game engaging from start to finish, even if they aren't very mechanically compelling.
You don't really play TF III to play a shmup in the way most people are accustomed to: You play TFIII to effortlessly take down a lot of cool enemies in a half-hour while listening to cool tunes on cool planets. And that's okay.