Rolling Thunder 3

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Rolling Thunder 3

Developer(s)	Namco
Publisher(s)	Namco
Release date(s)	May 19, 1993
Genre(s)	Action
Mode(s)	Single player
Platform(s)	Sega Genesis
Media	16-megabit cartridge

Rolling Thunder 3 is the third installment of the Rolling Thunder video game series. Developed and published by Namco in 1993 exclusively for the Genesis, it's marked as the first game in the series to skip both a prior arcade release and a release outside of the US.

1 Storyline
2 Gameplay
- 2.1 Changes and New Features to the Series
3 Characters
4 Passwords
5 References

[edit] Storyline

Taking place after the events of Rolling Thunder 2, the W.P.C.O. (World Crime Police Organization) receives new reports of heightened terrorist activity in Las Vegas. Intelligence link the activities to the terrorist organization known as Geldra, who had been shooting down satellites around the globe in an effort to create mass communication disruption and chaos. Reports of a sighting of a creature in the Southern California's oil refinery following the events lead the agency into believing Dread, Gimbdo's second-in-command, is responsible for the terrorist events.

With W.C.P.O. agents Albatross and Leila deeply embedded in their assignment to take down Gimbdo, successor to Mabu and Geldra's new leader who had fled from capture in Rolling Thunder 2, the W.C.P.O. assigns agent Jay the task of stopping the new Geldra terrorist threat.

[edit] Gameplay

The game maintains the "shoot-and-take cover" formula of the previous installments. In Rolling Thunder 3, the player progresses through 10 levels and secret areas mostly by shooting hostile enemies, replenishing ammo by entering specially marked doors, and dodging or crouching under enemy fire by hiding behind objects such as crates. However, Rolling Thunder 3 builds upon the formula by adding additional elements to the series.

[edit] Changes and New Features to the Series

Jay dispatching enemies with his weapon of choice.

Changes

Unlike its prequel, Rolling Thunder 2, the game features only a single-player mode and lacks the appearance of both agents Albatross and Leila. Instead, players now assume the role of a completely new character codenamed, Jay.

The game does not require the player to complete the stages within a time limit and thus eliminates the time bonus doors. However, taking too long summons a Masker Sniper who begins shooting at Jay. Fortunately, the player's health bar consists of three health units instead on one, giving Jay the ability to endure more hits before dying. In addition, when Jay dies, the game allows the player to restart from the exact position he died at rather than forcing him or her to continue from a check point or the beginning of the stage as the prequels had done.

New Features

Despite the changes, which some fans of the prequels may find welcoming or distasteful, Rolling Thunder 3 offers it's fair share of new features to the series. The most notable new features in the game revolve around gameplay. Players now have the option to select one weapon from a total nine before beginning each level as well as the ability to shoot at angles and slash enemies with a knife during close quarters combat. As they progress through the game, players will also be introduced to fast-paced vehicle stages, controlling Jay as he rides either a motorcycle on slick highways or jet-skis across rapid waters.

[edit] Characters

Jay

Cutscene of Jay in Rolling Thunder 3

Codename: Jay
Clearance: JC-KAL
Real Name: --Classified--
Sex: Male
Height: 6.2 ft (184 cm)
Weight: 183 lbs (83 kg)
Age: 35
Blood Type: A
Affiliation: WCPO, Rolling Thunder division

As the WCPO's only available operative able to take on the current terrorist threat by the Geldra organization, Jay receives orders from his superior to neutralize Gimbdo's second-in-command, Dread.

Ellen

Codename: Ellen
Real Name: --Classified--
Sex: Female
Age: ??
Affiliation: W.C.P.O., Rolling Thunder division

A beautiful and intelligent communications officer in the Rolling Thunder division paired up with Jay in the Dread investigation. From the WCPO's secret headquarters, she guides Jay throughout his mission by updating him with informant reports and serves as his only link to headquarters.

[edit] Passwords

As fans of the series have come to expect, by entering certain passwords on the password screen, the player can unlock several features or modes. The "Level Select" passwords, featured in almost every Rolling Thunder game allow players to skip stages and proceed to the one of their choice.

RISKY - Play Hard Mode
ANNOY - Get 5 lives
GREED - Play as Ellen
REIGN - Level Select

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