Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

After Burner: Black Falcon stays true to the series’ arcade roots with its trademark high-speed aerial combat and reflex-driven controls. From the third-person perspective, you guide your jet through 24 increasingly challenging levels, dispatching waves of enemy fighters and ground installations with a lethal combination of hit-scan guns and lock-on missiles. The emphasis on evasion—through barrel rolls and sharp turns—keeps every encounter tense, as you juggle offense and defense in a blur of tracer fire and explosions.

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One of the game’s standout features is its pilot and plane selection system. You choose among three playable pilots—Billy Blaze, Harrison Duke, and Tomiko Rossellini—each of whom unlocks different narrative threads and mission parameters. Beyond personalities, there are 19 distinct aircraft to master, ranging from nimble interceptors to heavy strike jets. You can customize loadouts with various weapons and items, apply paint jobs for style, and upgrade performance between missions, adding a welcome strategic layer to the otherwise breakneck action.

Levels are packed with main objectives as well as optional side missions that reward extra cash for further upgrades. Environmental hazards—like anti-aircraft turrets, deadly towers, and crumbling bridges—require split-second decision-making, while massive boss encounters armed with EMP blasts and heavy ordnance punctuate each stage. For those seeking multiplayer thrills, competitive modes and two-player co-op for up to eight participants extend replayability and fuel bragging rights on the leaderboard.

Graphics

Graphically, Black Falcon makes a solid leap from its predecessors, rendering sprawling global locales with improved texture fidelity and dynamic lighting. You’ll fly over sun-baked deserts, through monsoon-soaked jungles, and across snow-capped mountain passes, each environment punctuated by detailed enemy models and destructible scenery. Explosions kick up debris and smoke, adding grit to every missile strike and ensuring the battlefield feels alive.

Aircraft models are crisp, with distinct silhouettes and panel lines that catch the light realistically. When you lock on to an enemy, tracer rounds streak across the sky in satisfying bursts, and your plane’s HUD overlays vital information without cluttering the screen. Pop-in occasionally disrupts long vistas, but at the typical After Burner speed, you barely notice it—your attention is always on the next incoming missile or swirling dogfight.

Cutscenes between missions feature stylized pilot portraits and simplistic voiceovers. While not as cinematic as modern flight sims, they inject character into Black Falcon’s global chase. Animations for barrel rolls, sharp snaps, and G-force grunts are smooth and responsive, reinforcing the game’s arcade flair. Overall, the graphics strike a fine balance between performance and spectacle, keeping frame rates stable even in the most chaotic dogfights.

Story

The narrative thrust of After Burner: Black Falcon centers on the eponymous terrorist cell that has stolen thirteen prototype jet fighters for an unknown, sinister purpose. Selecting one of three protagonists—each with their own motivations and background—you embark on a globe-spanning quest to intercept these stolen assets before they can wreak havoc. The straightforward “stop the bad guys” plot is familiar, yet it provides enough structure to justify each adrenaline-pumped sortie.

As you progress, dialogue snippets appear between missions, shedding light on the pilots’ personal stakes. Billy Blaze injects cocky humor, Harrison Duke brings a stoic military professionalism, and Tomiko Rossellini offers a blend of nerves and determination. These brief character beats add personality, even if they never delve into deep drama. You’ll find yourself momentarily invested when a teammate’s jet is crippled or when a boss reveals a hidden agenda.

While the story doesn’t break new ground in gaming narratives, it functions as an effective backdrop to the action. The tension ramps up nicely as you close in on Black Falcon’s leaders, and each mission’s stakes feel incrementally higher. If you’re looking for a rich, branching storyline, you might come away wanting more—but for an arcade-style shooter, the plot does just enough to drive you forward.

Overall Experience

After Burner: Black Falcon delivers a fast-paced airborne thrill ride that will appeal to fans of classic arcade shooters and newcomers seeking pick-up-and-play intensity. The blend of reflex-driven dogfights, extensive plane customization, and optional side missions creates a satisfying loop of challenge and reward. Despite its age, the skill-based gameplay remains fresh, with every level demanding precision and quick thinking.

Multiplayer support for up to eight players—both competitive and cooperative—adds significant longevity and introduces a social element often missing in single-player shooters. Whether you’re gunning for high scores or coordinating with a friend to tackle bosses, the multiplayer component elevates Black Falcon beyond a simple nostalgia trip. Occasional difficulty spikes and repetitive mission structures can hamper pacing, but the sheer exhilaration of blasting through enemy formations largely offsets these minor drawbacks.

In summary, After Burner: Black Falcon stands as a worthy successor to its predecessors, modernizing the series’ formula without sacrificing its core appeal. Eye-catching graphics, three distinct pilots, a global scandal, and pulse-pounding combat combine to create an experience that both honors arcade heritage and delivers contemporary thrills. If airborne mayhem and high-octane dogfights are your passion, Black Falcon is a solid choice for your game library.

Retro Replay Score

6.8/10