Strategy Guide - Guide for Thunder Force V Perfect System

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|                 Thunder Force V Perfect System                  |
|                    General FAQ Version 0.3                      |
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General FAQ Information
   Last changed  : 27/6/99
   Platform      : Playstation
   Author        : 'Jacel' Joseph Ong
   Email         : [email protected]


Game Details
   Players       : 1 Player
   Version       : NTSC J
   Media         : 1 CD-ROM
   Memory Card   : 1 Block only
   Compatibles   : Dual Shock (Both Vibration and Analog)


This FAQ should not be used for commercial purposes (i.e.,
magazines). This FAQ may be redistributed electronically, provided
it stays unaltered in text format. Please give credit where it's
due.

Thunder Force is a trademark of Tecnosoft.
FAQ copyrighted work of Jacel Ong 1998-99.

Note!!!! Some of these information may not apply to the Saturn nor
Working Design's version of Thunder Force V.


===================================================================
 CONTENTS
===================================================================

A. INTRODUCTION
   1 - Thunder Force Episode V
   2 - Basic Controls and Introduction to Weapons

B. IN DEPTH
   1 - Digital Viewer
   2 - Time Attack
   3 - Hidden Crafts
   4 - Tips and Tricks

C. ENDING
   1 - Credits and Thanks
   2 - Version History



===================================================================
 A - INTRODUCTION
===================================================================

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    A.1 - Thunder Force Episode V
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In 2106 a weapon made by an alien intelligence was discovered
orbiting the solar system beyond Pluto. It was named "Vastian
Steel", or "Vasteel".

In 2139, a large, unmanned artificial island called "Babel",
controlled by an artificial intelligence known as the "Guardian"
was constructed in the south Pacific Ocean as a facility for
research into "Vasteel Technology".

Then, in 2150, the Guardian, which had gained independent
self-consciousness, suddenly declared war on the entire human
race for reasons unknowned.

In the first battle against he Guardian's weapons, created with
"Vasteel Technology", humanity suffered a crushing defeat. Then
the special flight squadron Thunder Force, formed for the sole
purpose of destroying Babel and the Guardian, commenced operations,
in the last desperate struggle for the survival of the human
race...


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    A.2 - Basic Controls and Introduction to Weapons
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In this game, you start off with RVR-01 "Gauntlet" equipped with
2 weapons. Whichever aircraft you're using, the basic two weapons
are permanent. Additional weapons which fill up the other 3 slots
will be lost if your ship gets destroyed.

RVR-02 "Vambrace", another aircraft which you'll get later in the
game, has the two basic weapons modified.

Over Weapons are much more powerful versions than the few above.
They can be activated by simply hitting the Over Weapon button.
However, they require a power-up called CRAW, Constituted Ray Art
Weapon Unit. These little power ups are vital to this game, for
three purposes: 1, increasing firepower; 2, shield to projectiles
from enemies; 3, Usage of Over Weapon.

The final power up is the shield. This allows you take 3 extra
hits without dying.

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1 - Twin Shot / Blade    -- The basic weapons of RVR-01 and
                            RVR-02, both are front attack weapons.
    Over Weapon: Sword   -- A powerful front weapon, but covers a
                            small area of attack.

2 - Back Shot / Railgun  -- The second basic weapons of RVR-01 and
                            RVR-02, both are rear attack weapons.
    Over Weapon: Chain   -- A powerful weapon that fires streaks
                            of lightning to the rear, excellent
                            range.

3 - Wave                 -- The weakest weapon that penetrates any
                            surface or enemy, a front attack
                            weapon.
    Over Weapon: Spell   -- A powerful version of Wave and covers
                            a larger area.

4 - Free Range           -- A strong weapon that shoots within a
                            limited range in a direction at one
                            time.
    Over Weapon: Whip    -- A powerful version of Free range that
                            fires within a larger range.

5 - Hunter               -- A generally weak weapon that seeks out
                            most enemies.
    Over Weapon: Needle  -- A powerful version of Hunter, useful
                            for clearing up the screen. ^_^
-------------------------------------------------------------------


That's not all. In the 5th Stage, you'll get to control the most
powerful craft in the game, RVR-02B "Brigandine". However, it
lasts only in that stage.

It has two weapons, while other weapons available are disabled.

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1 - Sword                -- Same as the one above, but usage is
                            unlimited.

2 - Railgun (enhanced)   -- Fires six rays to the rear and sides,
                            however movement of the Brigandine
                            affects the directions of attacks.
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===================================================================
 B - IN DEPTH
===================================================================

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    B.1 - Digital Viewer
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In this option, there are three viewers:

Stage Boss Data
----------------
If you've have previously reached the boss, the information will
be available here. You can use direction buttons and L1/R1 buttons
to rotate the display of the boss. Press Circle to view different
forms (applies to 1st, 3rd, 5th bosses).

Graphics Viewer
----------------
Eight Pictures are viewable, complete the game more times to
enable more pictures to be viewed. However, they can be viewed
directly off your CD-ROM drive. They are in 640 x 480 Bitmaps
(*.bmp).

Text Viewer
------------
You have to complete the game in order to view the report.
However, it is in Japanese. ^_^


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    B.2 - Time Attack
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This option can be accessed when you complete the game in any
difficulty. This option allows you to play a game only with bosses.
When in Time Attack mode, you do not have a limited number of
lives. But, you're to defeat the bosses within an amount of time.
Your time will be extended each time you defeat a boss; 15 seconds
deducted each time you lose a life.

In this mode, you can choose whichever order you want to fight
the bosses, and a choice of all aircrafts, fully equipped with
weapons and CRAW. However, you'll have to complete the normal game
in normal difficulty before you can use Brigandine.


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    B.3 - Hidden Aircrafts
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In TFV, there are 3 more RVR-01's. These aircrafts are only used
for stages 1-4, and will end up as the normal blue RVR-02 in stage
5 and above. They are selected by holding a particular button on
the second control pad, while choosing the stage on the first.
Color of aircraft follows color of button (Hint).

Codes and stats are as follows:
Aircraft              RVR-01   RVR-01E     RVR-01Hi   RVR-01Ex
Button                N/A      Triangle    Circle     Square
Color                 Blue     Green       Red        Purple
Attack                100%     37.5%       112.5%     175%
Speed                 100%     100%        218.75%    37.5%
Scoring               1x       2x          1x         1x
Craw                  3        3           3          2
Craw Recovery Speed   100%     100%        75%        150%


Aircrafts are fully usable in Time Attack mode. My favourite is
the red one. It's the only one I will rank above RVR-01. Looks
nice and you can escape attacks REALLY fast. The aircraft's
attack is also slightly better.


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    B.4 - Tips and Tricks
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Additional continues
---------------------
For every 3 hours, an additional continue will be added in the
Options.

Free Play
----------
Complete the game with good ending. Select Free Play in Options.

Endings
--------
There are 2 endings to this game. To get the good ending, you must
defeat the last boss before it flies away. Well, uh.., you will
get a bad ending if you fail to do so. Use the rings in the
background as time markers. The rings will change color from blue
to red.

Master Mode
------------
Appears after you complete Hard.

Other Tips
-----------
Try mastering the use of Free Range. If you can handle this
weapon, you can complete the game easily. Free Range is more
powerful withing Range 1. Especially against bosses.

Using CRAWs to block off projectiles is also quite useful. This
is a reason why you should try not to drain your CRAWs energy
too much on Over Weapon.


===================================================================
 C - ENDING
===================================================================

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    C.1 - Credits and Thanks
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 Tecnosoft 
    -- for creating such a great shooting game. ^_^


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    C.2 - Version History
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 Version 0.1 - 28/10/98
      -- Started this FAQ

 Version 0.2 - 31/1/99
      -- Updated more information

 Version 0.3 - 27/6/99
      -- Made some corrections


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