Rolling Thunder 2, an exhilarating action platformer, offers players an immersive gaming experience filled with intense gameplay, special weapons, valuable items, and challenging rounds. In this thrilling sequel, players have the option to control either Leila or Albatross, two characters who possess identical controls.
Let’s delve into the gameplay mechanics and features that make Rolling Thunder 2 a standout title in the action platforming genre.
Rolling Thunder 2 Gameplay
The core gameplay of Rolling Thunder 2 revolves around navigating through intricately designed levels, defeating enemies, and completing objectives.
- Players control their chosen character using the Left and Right buttons for movement.
- To evade enemy attacks, players can crouch by pressing the Down button.
- Jumping is crucial in this game and can be executed using the C button. For higher jumps, players can combine the Up and C buttons.
- When approaching a balcony or ledge, characters automatically pull themselves over the railing if they perform a high jump in front of it. They can descend by pressing Down+C. Additionally, players can enter doors and hide by holding Up when standing in front of a doorway, and they will emerge once Up is released.
The game incorporates various objects that can be used as cover by both the player and enemies, adding an extra layer of strategic gameplay. Some rounds even feature hidden doors, enhancing the sense of exploration and discovery.
Special Weapons
Combat in Rolling Thunder 2 relies heavily on the effective utilization of weapons. Initially armed with pistols, players can acquire more advanced weapons as they progress through the game. By opening doors, players may find special items that include different weapons and ammunition.
To engage in ranged combat, players use the B button to shoot. However, it’s important to note that shots cannot be aimed, restricting the player to a fixed firing direction. Characters cannot shoot while in mid-air, but they can fire while crouching by pressing Down+B.
Each weapon has limited ammunition, adding an element of resource management and strategic decision-making. When ammunition is depleted, characters resort to shooting slow “chaser” shots, allowing only one projectile on the screen at a time.
Submachine Gun
The Submachine Gun is a rapid-fire machine gun that unleashes a continuous stream of bullets. By holding the B button, players can maintain a constant barrage of firepower, rapidly neutralizing enemies that stand in their path. This weapon is particularly effective when faced with hordes of adversaries or when swift and sustained firepower is required to overcome challenging situations.
Flame Gun
The Flame Gun is a devastating weapon that launches large fireballs, capable of engulfing multiple targets within a specific area. When fired, the Flame Gun propels a scorching fireball, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. This weapon is ideal for clearing groups of enemies or for dealing with foes positioned in close proximity. Its area-of-effect damage makes it a formidable tool for controlling the battlefield and incinerating adversaries with fiery precision.
Shot Cluster
The Shot Cluster is a versatile weapon that projects a cluster of six pulse lasers. As the lasers travel, they penetrate through multiple enemies, ensuring maximum impact. What sets the Shot Cluster apart is its unique property of spreading out into a wider area as it travels farther. This allows players to cover a broader range and target multiple foes simultaneously. The Shot Cluster is an excellent choice for players seeking to eliminate enemies across both narrow corridors and spacious areas.
Items
To enhance gameplay and offer additional advantages, Rolling Thunder 2 incorporates various items scattered throughout the game. Some doorways conceal extra hit points or additional time, providing players with a valuable lifeline and an opportunity to extend their gameplay. Furthermore, hidden extra lives can be discovered by shooting specific areas within the rounds.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the notable items that can be found behind these marked doors:
 | Bullet | The Bullet item provides the character with additional ammunition for the standard pistol. Ammunition is a valuable resource in Rolling Thunder 2, and finding Bullets behind marked doors ensures that players can maintain a steady supply of firepower. By acquiring Bullets, players can reload their pistols and continue to engage enemies with sustained attacks, increasing their chances of success in combat encounters. |
 | Arms | Discovering the Arms item behind a marked door grants players access to the powerful Submachine Gun special weapon. Equipping the Submachine Gun drastically enhances players’ offensive capabilities, allowing for rapid and continuous fire. With the Submachine Gun in their arsenal, players can unleash a torrent of bullets upon their foes, swiftly eliminating threats with its rapid-fire capabilities. This item proves invaluable in situations that require sustained firepower or when faced with waves of adversaries. |
 | Fire | The Fire item found behind a marked door bestows upon players the formidable Flame Gun special weapon. This weapon unleashes large fireballs that have the potential to engulf multiple targets within a specific area. By acquiring the Flame Gun, players gain the ability to unleash devastating flames upon their enemies, incinerating multiple foes in one fell swoop. The Fire item proves particularly effective when dealing with groups of enemies or when confronted with adversaries positioned in close proximity. |
 | Shot | Behind certain marked doors, players can discover the Shot item, which grants them the powerful Shot Cluster special weapon. This weapon releases a cluster of six pulse lasers that penetrate through multiple enemies. As the lasers travel, they spread out into a wider area, ensuring maximum coverage. By acquiring the Shot Cluster, players gain a versatile tool to dispatch enemies across both narrow corridors and open spaces. This item is ideal for players seeking to eliminate multiple foes simultaneously, making it a valuable asset in their arsenal. |
These hidden bonuses serve as incentives for players to explore their surroundings, rewarding their curiosity and sharpshooting skills.
Rounds
Each round in Rolling Thunder 2 presents its own unique challenges, encouraging players to adapt and strategize accordingly. Timing plays a crucial role in the game, as rounds are timed, and players risk losing a life if they fail to complete the objectives within the allotted time. Players start with two hit points, and taking hits from bullets or projectiles deducts two hit points.
 | Round 1 | Password: A ROLLING PROGRAM SMASHED THE GENIUS (hard) |
 | Round 2 | Password: A MAGICAL THUNDER LEARNED THE SECRET |
 | Round 3 | Password: A NATURAL FIGHTER CREATED THE GENIUS |
 | Round 4 | Password: A ROLLING NUCLEUS SMASHED THE NEURON |
 | Round 5 | Password: A CURIOUS PROGRAM PUNCHED THE POWDER |
 | Round 6 | Password: A LOGICAL LEOPARD BLASTED THE SECRET |
 | Round 7 | Password: A PRIVATE ISOTOPE DESIRED THE TARGET The player can move between the background layer with the nets with Up and Down. |
 | Round 8 | Password: A NATURAL RAINBOW ELECTED THE FUTURE |
 | Round 9 | Password: A MAGICAL MACHINE MUFFLED THE KILLER |
 | Round 10 | Password: A DIGITAL NUCLEUS PUNCHED THE DEVICE |
 | Last Round | Password: A PRIVATE THUNDER CREATED THE POWDER |
However, simply colliding with an enemy without being attacked only results in a knockback, without depleting hit points. Losing all hit points results in the loss of a life, prompting the player to restart the round from the beginning or from a predetermined continue point.
Successfully clearing each round rewards players with an extra life, helping them tackle subsequent challenges. It’s worth noting that hit points and weapons do not carry over to the next round, emphasizing the importance of resource management and careful planning.
two-player cooperative play mode
Moreover, the game incorporates a two-player cooperative play mode, allowing friends to team up and tackle the game’s challenges together. Each player controls a different agent, providing a cooperative dynamic and fostering teamwork. If one player loses a life, they remain inactive until the other player reaches a continue point, encouraging collaboration and mutual support.
To facilitate progress and allow players to continue their adventure, Rolling Thunder 2 utilizes a password system. After completing the game, players are given a password, typically a phrase consisting of four words, to start the game again on a higher difficulty level. This feature adds replayability and encourages players to conquer more challenging stages.
In conclusion
Rolling Thunder 2 offers an action-packed gameplay experience with its special weapons, items, and rounds. The availability of diverse weapons, the strategic use of items, and the race against time in each round create an immersive and challenging atmosphere. Whether playing solo or with a friend, the game’s cooperative mode and password system provide opportunities for teamwork and progression.
Get ready to embark on an intense adventure and conquer Rolling Thunder 2!