Let's start with the conclusion: this game isn't the kind that dazzles you at first glance like a AAA blockbuster, but within the niche category of 'robot cars/animal transformations,' it really has some merit. I compared it with several popular similar games on the market, including the comic-style Metal Beasts, the lightly controlled Transforming Tanks, and the heavily monetized Mecha Rampage, and found that its positioning is quite subtle. First, let's talk graphics. Honestly, at first glance, the modeling detail is about half a notch below Metal Beasts, especially the transition animations when robots transform, which noticeably drop frames. But it makes up for it with wild mecha designs—tiger-shaped fangs and mechanical joints are visually striking, and the tail swings with physical feedback when running. Compared to the childish, chibi style of Transforming Tanks, this one goes for a hardcore realistic route, full of masculinity. If you can accept PS2-era texture quality, this can barely be considered slightly above average.
In terms of gameplay, it's more of a 'hybrid.' Combat is typical top-down shooting, but it adds melee charge skills, allowing you to literally block enemy bullets like a beast. This is much more fun than Metal Beasts' pure stand-still-and-gun style. The driving mode even lets you drift; although the handling feels sticky, compared with Transforming Tanks' bumper car controls, it's already on another level. The biggest highlight is the invincibility frames during transformation switching—used well, you can dodge a boss's ultimate attack. This is a relatively hardcore mechanic in this genre, not just mindlessly tapping the screen.
Now, the most crucial part—the combat experience. Because there's no stamina limit, I played for three uninterrupted hours without hitting any walls designed to restrict progress. Compared to Mecha Rampage, which makes you either pay or watch ads after three rounds, Super Thunder feels like a breath of fresh air. Also, the parts and coins dropped in levels are quite generous, allowing you to assemble weapon modules on your own later. The freedom here is far higher than those pseudo-sandbox games that only let you upgrade numbers.
But don't be fooled by the 'Thunder Edition' label—this game is basically still single-player level-driven, and the so-called 'online' is just logging in to claim rewards. If you're looking for multiplayer competition or the thrill of PvP fights on a map, you should go straight to Mecha Rampage.But if you are a lone wolf player who likes quietly upgrading parts and studying optimal builds, this game can make you lose track of time. As for microtransactions, it is currently free to download, and the in-game store only sells skins and paint, not attribute items. I compared it with 'Metal Beasts' released around the same time, which breaks down greatswords and armor into fragments for you to draw, and without paying, you'd have to grind daily for three months. In contrast, in 'Super Raiden,' all core parts drop from levels and can be collected through the dismantling system, so theoretically you can collect everything without spending money—it's just a matter of time. This deserves praise.
The social system is almost non-existent, with only an inconsequential world chat box, but no one talks—all messages are bots spamming. Honestly, for a game focused on modifying mechs and completing stages, social interaction doesn't really matter. On the other hand, designs like 'Transforming Tanks,' which force you to join a team to do raids, are actually exhausting.
Finally, some gripes. Its save logic is confusing; if you switch away from the game for a long time and come back, you might lose your current stage progress. Also, ads pop up occasionally, there's no mute icon, and you have to exit and return to turn them off, which is barely tolerable. The voice acting is probably the most standard AI dubbing I've ever heard—lines like ‘Police car transform!' sound like a plastic horn being choked—so I recommend muting it and listening to the BGM instead.
In summary, I'd give 'Super Raiden (Thunder Edition)' a score of 7.5 out of 10. Graphics take points off, controls add points, it's free-to-play friendly, but lacks genuine multiplayer interaction. Compared horizontally to others, it wins in 'generosity in gameplay' and 'no forced spending,' but loses in technical execution and some rough details. If you are a fan of mech beast themes and can accept slightly outdated modeling, it's definitely much better than those idle auto-battle ‘pseudo-transformer' games. No exaggeration, not bashing—it's thirty yuan well spent—or rather, free to play—it's worth it.