Yeah, Violent Soldier was dumbed down quite a bit as Sinistron. You can see the differences from the very first level (the sub-bosses in level 1 are the first good example of changes...in Sinistron, they simply circle, but in Violent Soldier, they have a more complex pattern of attack). Level 4 and level 6 are the most obvious changes though...level 4 is very challenging (especially the part where the purple rocks come from all directions! that never happens in Sinistron) and level 6 is just plain impossible through the first half (too bad it can't be skipped...!!). I've beaten both games and I must say that Violent Soldier is much more worth finishing, much more satisfying...if not only for the heightened difficulty but also for the ending itself.
Oh, for anyone in doubt about Lords Of Thunder...yes, the Earth Armor is definately the one to use throughout most of the game! You'd think you should use the Fire Armor in the ice areas and etc. but the Earth Armor is always the strongest. I personally use the Fire Armor for Dezant and then the Earth Armor for just about everything else (although to make it interesting, I do use the Fire Armor for Helado and sometimes, to give myself a challenge, the Water Armor for the volcano and the Air Armor for the water level).
And what about Gate Of Thunder? Man, talk about little strategy once you learn the levels.
Once you get the third weapon (what is this called? it sounds like the voice says "Heat" or something), it's a cakewalk, especially when you upgrade to "Earthquake". The only time I evet use any other weapon is in the diagonal descent into the water in Crown (switch to the Sonic Boom and fire backwards to get the guys coming from behind you) and in the laser area of Crown Core (switch to Lightning and fire backwards, for the same reason as above).
OK I've blabbered enough, hehehe.
