Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Keio Flying Squadron 2 shifts gears from its shoot ’em up roots into a vibrant 2D platformer, putting you in control of fourteen-year-old treasure keeper Rami Nana-Hikari. Rather than piloting a ship, you guide Rami through side-scrolling stages filled with quirky enemies, hidden paths, and environmental hazards. Each level blends traditional platforming with occasional vertical scrolls and even brief segments that nod back to the series’ shooter heritage, keeping the action fresh and varied.

Rami is equipped with three distinct tools that completely reshape how you tackle each stage. Her trusty mallet serves as a close-quarters weapon, allowing for satisfying melee combos against ground foes. The umbrella doubles as a glider—perfect for spanning wide gaps and deflecting projectiles—while the bow offers long-range support, letting you pick off airborne or distant targets. Juggling these tools on the fly adds a layer of strategy: deciding when to trade reach for raw power or defensive capability becomes part of the fun.

Beyond weapon choice, players collect shimmering spheres scattered throughout levels. These not only boost your score but occasionally reveal hidden tips, power-up locations, or backstory snippets, rewarding explorers who stray from the beaten path. The game’s pacing veers from lighthearted romp to brief tension as certain stages ramp up platforming precision or introduce mid-boss encounters. Overall, the gameplay loop balances accessibility for newcomers with enough challenge to satisfy seasoned retro-platformer enthusiasts.

Graphics

Visually, Keio Flying Squadron 2 dazzles with its playful, anime-inspired aesthetic. Character sprites are richly detailed, bursting with personality—from Rami’s expressive animations to the comical antics of side characters and adversaries. Backgrounds showcase a colorful palette that captures everything from bustling cityscapes to mystical ruins, punctuated by subtle parallax layers that lend depth without overwhelming the screen.

Animation quality remains consistently smooth, even when multiple effects collide—like raining projectiles or swirling umbrella gusts. Special effects, such as sparkle trails on collected spheres or explosive mallet impacts, pop against the backdrops without sacrificing clarity. The occasional vertical-scroll or shoot-’em-up segment maintains crisp visuals, preserving the series’ legacy while adapting seamlessly to the new platformer style.

Running on mid-’90s hardware, the game delivers a stable frame rate that keeps the action fluid. Load times are minimal, ensuring you stay immersed during stage transitions. Although it can’t rival modern HD remasters, its charm lies in the vibrancy of its pixel art and the thoughtful design consistency—from menu screens to end-stage vignettes, every element feels polished and lovingly crafted.

Story

At the heart of Keio Flying Squadron 2 is a whimsical tale about Rami Nana-Hikari, the spirited granddaughter of a treasure-obsessed grandfather who entrusts her with a secret artifact capable of unlocking unimaginable riches. When Dr. Pon teams up with the enigmatic new villain Himiko Yamatai, Rami must traverse exotic locales to keep the treasure out of nefarious hands. The narrative unfolds through charming cutscenes that blend slapstick humor with lighthearted adventure.

Dialogue snippets sprinkled between levels are delivered in a playful tone, often breaking the fourth wall or poking fun at platformer conventions. Rami’s youthful confidence contrasts delightfully with Dr. Pon’s bumbling schemes and Himiko’s regal, mysterious aura. Supporting characters, including anthropomorphic animal allies, add further comic relief, ensuring the story never takes itself too seriously even as stakes (and giant boss encounters) escalate.

Pacing is handled adeptly: story beats emerge organically as you conquer each stage, and exposition is concise enough to keep momentum rather than bogging down the gameplay. Fans of light-hearted narratives will appreciate how cutscenes punctuate the action without overstaying their welcome, making the plot a fun incentive to press on rather than an obstacle between levels.

Overall Experience

Keio Flying Squadron 2 offers a delightful blend of platforming variety, witty presentation, and vibrant visuals. Its departure from pure shoot ’em up action into exploration-driven stages gives the series a fresh identity, while the occasional return to vertical scrolling pays homage to its roots. The three-tool mechanic ensures each level feels dynamic, encouraging players to experiment and adapt to new challenges.

While most stages shine, a few sections can feel slightly repetitive—especially if you rely too heavily on one weapon type or backtrack in search of spheres. The difficulty curve is generally fair, but precision platforming segments may frustrate newcomers without careful timing. However, generous checkpoint placement and the umbrella’s forgiving glide help mitigate potential roadblocks, making the experience accessible to a broad audience.

Ultimately, Keio Flying Squadron 2 stands out as a charming, well-crafted platformer that caters to fans of colorful anime aesthetics and lighthearted adventure. Retro enthusiasts seeking a nostalgic trip with modern design sensibilities will find hours of enjoyment here, while newcomers can appreciate its approachable mechanics and engaging world. For anyone hunting a playful, visually striking platformer with a dose of quirky storytelling, this title remains a worthy pick.

Retro Replay Score

7.4/10