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The
'missing link' between Thunderforce 4 and 5..?!
Hyper Duel was an arcade
shooter released by Technosoft in 1994 a couple
of years after their Thunderforce AC arcade game
(basically a remixed version of Megadrive/Genesis
classic Thunderforce 3). The Saturn version is,
to say the least, something of a rarity nowadays
(it took me a good two and a half years to track
down my copy) but in my opinion it was definitely
worth it! Borrowing elements from Darius Gaiden
(huge anime style bosses), Macross (transforming
spaceship-robots) and Technosoft's own
Thunderforce series (fast paced side-scrolling
shmupping laced with hordes of fast moving
enemies and fast-moving bullets from all
directions!) Hyper Duel is a quality blaster and
no mistake! OK.. we are clearly in 'old school'
2D shooter territory here.. the 'feel' and
graphic style of the game certainly reminds me a
lot of the Thunderforce games as well as Red
company's classic shooters Gate of Thunder and
Lords of Thunder on the PC Engine Duo which is
definitely no bad thing. The Saturn version
contains both the original arcade version as well
as a graphically souped-up Saturn remix (a very
welcome feature - other developers take note!).
Players can choose from one of three different
ships all with alternative and original weaponry,
and players can transform their fighter from
spaceship to mech-style robot on the fly at any
time in a manner similar, but far superior to
that seen in Macross.
Another notable feature is the ability to pick up
'intelligent' multiples - little fighters and
robots that fight alongside you locking onto
enemies with their guns and even taking hits and
sacrificing themselves for you! Eight long levels
and some very tough stages and end of level
bosses should provide a decent challenge as long
as you play on normal difficulty setting and
don't opt for the soft 'easy mode'. And among
Saturn collectors this game is highly prized so
if you ever see it at a decent price I'd
recommend picking it up!

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(Below) Choose your craft - red, blue or
gold.. (right) a nice robot
render.. the presentation, like that of Thunderforce 5,
is great.


The game starts off in space
above a huge space fleet (this is the
graphically-enhanced 'Saturn'
mode) before descending to earth and finally back into
orbit for the final showdown (below right)

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