Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Commodore Force Reel Action #27 delivers a two-for-one blast of 8-bit fun, bundling Impossible Mission 2 and Beach Head II onto a single cassette. Each title brings its own flavor: Impossible Mission 2 refines the classic platform-puzzle blend of the original, while Beach Head II keeps the trigger finger busy with its relentless artillery duels. The games load quickly from tape, and each title demonstrates tight controls that feel right at home on the C64’s joystick port.

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In Impossible Mission 2, players infiltrate a futuristic complex filled with sinister robots and hidden puzzles. Jumping between platforms, decoding terminals, and racing against the clock creates a satisfying ebb and flow. The level layouts are well balanced, gradually introducing new traps and robot types to keep you on your toes. The cassette’s fast-loading engine also means you spend less time waiting and more time exploring.

Beach Head II: The Dictator Strikes Back shifts gears entirely, pitting you against an evil warlord’s coastal defenses. This sequel amps up the action with multiple shooting segments—gun turret defense, jeep chase, and even a bombing run. Each stage requires quick reflexes and precise timing, and the risk-reward tension of conserving ammo versus taking wild shots gives the game a thrilling edge. It’s a perfect arcade-style antidote to the methodical pacing of Impossible Mission 2.

The inclusion of the Easy Lives cheat collection rounds out the gameplay package beautifully. Whether you’ve hit a particularly brutal section of Impossible Mission 2 or just want to practice your aim in Beach Head II, these cheat routines let you experiment freely without the fear of game-overs. It’s a considerate touch that extends replay value and lowers the entry barrier for newcomers.

Graphics

On the visual front, Impossible Mission 2 impresses with crisp, detailed sprites and bold color contrasts. The game’s warehouse and laboratory backdrops are rendered in muted tones, cleverly highlighting hazards and interactive elements. Animations feel fluid—robots spin, platforms slide, and protagonist movements remain snappy even when the screen is busy with enemies.

Beach Head II takes a different approach, leaning into vibrant, high-contrast palettes to simulate explosions, muzzle flashes, and distant vehicles. The coastal battlegrounds pop with bright blues and sandy tans, while enemy installations stand out in stark reds and greens. Despite the C64’s limited color bank, the developers manage to convey a solid sense of depth and urgency in each firing sequence.

The Easy Lives cheat screens, while simple in presentation, maintain the overall aesthetic of the package. Menus are straightforward and legible, ensuring that you can quickly toggle infinite lives or ammo without breaking immersion. The consistent font and color choices across both games and the cheat module tie everything together into a unified visual experience.

Story

Impossible Mission 2 picks up the narrative thread from its predecessor: the nefarious Elvin Atombender has constructed an even more lethal fortress. Your undercover agent protagonist must thwart his plans by recovering puzzle pieces and data disks. While the storyline is economical, it provides just enough context to motivate your exploration and lend weight to every timed mission.

Beach Head II’s plot is delightfully pulpy. When a ruthless dictator seizes control of strategic islands, you’re dispatched as the lone operative capable of dismantling his war machine. The story unfolds between action stages via short text interludes, each one beefing up the stakes and setting the scene for the next firefight. It’s a classic ’80s arcade narrative—simple, direct, and wholly serviceable for the on-rails combat.

Neither title attempts to be a sprawling epic, yet both stories enhance the gameplay loop without overstaying their welcome. They provide sufficient motivation, break up repetitive action, and reward completion of each level with narrative snippets that keep players curious about what comes next.

Overall Experience

As a cover-mounted cassette for Commodore Force magazine, Reel Action #27 punches well above its weight. The dual-game lineup offers two distinct genres—puzzle-platforming and light gun action—ensuring that players never tire of repetitive gameplay. Loading times remain reasonable, and the Easy Lives cheat collection softens the steep difficulty curves typical of C64 titles.

Nostalgia aside, this compilation stands on its own merits. Impossible Mission 2 feels like the definitive Commodore update to a beloved franchise, while Beach Head II delivers pulse-pounding variety in its multi-stage confrontations. The polish in control responsiveness, level design, and visual clarity makes each game a pleasure to revisit, even decades after their initial releases.

For collectors and newcomers alike, Commodore Force Reel Action #27 presents enormous value. You get two substantial games plus a handy cheat suite, all in one tidy package. Whether you’re chasing pixel-perfect jumps or unloading volleys of cannon fire, this cassette ensures hours of classic gaming enjoyment.

Retro Replay Score

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