is to block weak incoming bullets, and to provide extra firepower by firing single, normal shots. The player may acquire up to two CRAWs at a time, but will lose them upon ship destruction. Exclusive to this game is an item which temporally increases their orbit speed, making them more likely to block bullets. Plot Taking place soon after Thunder Force, the ORN Empire creates a powerful new battleship, the Plealos (a.k.a. Preareos). Using this battleship, ORN once again attacks the Galaxy Federation. The outcome of the attacks result in the destruction of the Galaxy Federation affiliated planet of Reda, and heavy destruction on the planet Nepura (a.k.a. Nebula), which ORN eventually captures from the Galaxy Federation. Eventually, the Galaxy Federation learns that ORN houses Plealos deep below Nebula's surface when not in use and takes the opportunity to plan an operation to take it down. They send the next iteration of their Fire Leo series of fighter craft, the FIRE LEO-02 Exceliza, to destroy ORN bases on Nepura and eventually find and destroy Plealos. The player controls the Exceliza and travels through a variety of stages to accomplish this goal. The cover image for the Thunder Force II Sega/MD/G package by Illustrator Marc Ericksen describes the attack of the advanced FIRE LEO-02s on Nepura utilizing its forward and rear firing ordinance (above right). Reception The Mega Drive version received generally favorable positive upon release. ACE magazine listed it in 1989 as one of the top three games available for the Mega Drive at the time, along with Altered Beast and Space Harrier II. Japanese magazine Famitsu gave the game a score of 28 out of 40. UK magazine Mean Machines gave it a positive review. MegaTech magazine reviewed the Sega Genesis version, praising the game as a "robust shoot-em up with plenty of thrills ‘n’ spills" and noting that the levels are "packed to the gills with enemy ships and huge end-of-level guardians" and recommending Thunder Force 2 to fans of that game genre. Notes References External links Thunder Force 2 – screenshots and comments 1988 video games Cancelled TurboGrafx-16 games Nintendo Switch Online games Sega Genesis games Sega video games X68000 games Single-player video games Technosoft games Thunder Force Video game sequels Video games developed in Japan