The Syrinx (シュリンクス Shurinkusu?) is one of the three playable ships in Thunder Force VI. It is considered as a fighter with an unknown power due to the combination of technologies involved on its creation.
Design
The Syrinx's design was retaken from the proposed design from the cancelled Dreamcast version of Thunder Force VI. It has a fuselage very similar to the RVR-01 "Gauntlet", with a large Photon Rifle and two smaller CRAW Control Units like the RVR-02 "Vambrace". Unlike the RVRs, the Syrinx features variable geometry on its wings, which can be deployed (Attack Mode) and folded (Speed Mode) according to its speed during gameplay. The Speed Mode is the default mode and only changes to its Attack Mode when the player uses an Over Weapon.
Its colors were also changed. Unlike the initial RVR-like colors, the Syrinx bears a more Fire LEO-accurate red and white color scheme on its wings and main CRAW Control Unit and a blue cockpit. To match the cockpit, the smaller CRAW Control Units are painted blue.
Origin and Current Status
At the end of its battle with ORN Faust / Vasteel Nocht, the RVR-00 "Phoenix" comes into contact with ORN Faust's core, becoming subject to a major transformation where Earth-made Refined Vasteel Technology, ORN Empire technology, ORN Faust's power and the stolen and assimilated data of the Styx, Rynex and Gauntlet ships merge into one "supertechnology", resulting in the creation of a hybrid starfighter.
Although it also absorbed ORN Faust's influence during its transformation, the ship is unaffected due to the Guardian's Heart installed on the RVR-00 and the Galaxy Federation's databanks, which worked as countermeasures, giving the human pilot full control of the ship. Being such an extensive hybrid, the Syrinx is the most powerful ship available in the game.
After destroying the ORN Emperor, the Syrinx docks on one of the Galactic Federation ships, after passing data about the Earth to the Federation forces.
Weapons
Due to its origins as the RVR-00 "Phoenix", the Syrinx is equipped with the same weapons of the Phoenix, with changes in some of its Over Weapons.
- Twin Shot / Sword: While the normal shot remains the same as it was on its former Phoenix form, the Syrinx version of the Twin Shot is more powerful. The Sword Over Weapon was changed from a energy beam into a super-heated flamethrower, which is more suited for close-ranged combat and not for longer-ranged engagements, as its attack power is low compared to the Phoenix´s or Rynex-R´s.
- Back Shot / Chain Blast: The normal shot and its Over Weapon mode remains the same as it was featured in the RVR-00. The Chain Blast fires a 5-way spreading laser in all directions, two behind, two to the sides and one at the front. Suitable for combat against surrounding enemies.
- Wave Shot / Ultimate Burst: The Wave shot was changed from its Thunder Force III-like shots into a large red energy beam that passes though all objects and damages all enemies in its line of fire like it was in Thunder Force V. Its Ultimate Burst Over Weapon becomes a much larger and more powerful stream than normal, causing massive damage. In Thunder Force V, it was a weak weapon, but in Thunder Force VI, it becomes one of the strongest weapons in the Syrinx's arsenal. When its used in Level MAX, its attack power rises to a unbelievable level, capable of destroying even enemies or bosses with high defense.
- Free Range / Aiming Shock: The Free Range remains the same, but the Aiming Shock Over Weapon becomes a lightning-like laser that can target every kind of enemy on its range depending on the player's movement and can be locked by pressing the normal shot button.
- Hunter / Spread Needle: The normal shot of the Hunter was changed in appearance but the function remains the same; the ship fires glowing spheres of purple light in a three-way spreading pattern that home in on nearby enemies that appear on-screen. It is not very powerful, but it is effective at hitting weaker-skinned targets. Its Spread Needle Over Weapon remains the same, but its homing capabilities becomes lowered if the screen is full of enemies, making the player vulnerable to frontal attacks.
Gallery
Trivia
- To unlock the Syrinx, the player has to complete the game on Normal difficulty using the RVR-00 "Phoenix".
- The new colors for the Syrinx were changed from the original unreleased Dreamcast version of the game at SEGA's request.
- With the new colors used on the design, it gives the Syrinx a more Fire LEO-accurate look rather than the RVR-esque colors from its proposed design.
- Syrinx's version of the Sword Over Weapon being a flamethrower rather than an energy beam is a possible reference to Gargoyle's fire breath.
- That being said, Gargoyle (and its counterpart Gargoyle Perfect in its second phase) was created by the ORN Empire, whose technology, in the form of ORN Faust's core, was combined with that of the RVR-00 "Phoenix" and the assimilated data of Styx, Rynex, and the RVR-01 "Gauntlet" to create the Syrinx.
| Thunder Force VI | ||
| Characters | C=CTNs=C • Shin S. Mercury | |
| Ships | RVR-00 "Phoenix" • Fire LEO-04 "Rynex" • Syrinx | |
| Stages | Jungle Front • Scorching Front • Ocean Front • Federation Planet • Huge Battleship • Final Fortress | |
| Bosses | Gargoyle Perfect • Flame Maiden • Cherub Purple • B3 • Vasteel Nocht • ORN Emperor | |