Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Cosmo Police Galivan II: Arrow of Justice wastes little time making its case. Earth is in danger, the invaders are here, and you are expected to start fighting rather than spend time scavenging for items or building weapons. That stripped-back approach gives the game an immediate arcade charge. If you want a brawler that gets to the hits quickly, its first impression is strong.

Each of the three selectable characters works from the same core move list: a straight punch or kick, a sweeping kick, an uppercut, and a ranged attack that needs charging. Their differing stats matter more than radically different fighting styles, so do not expect three entirely separate games. Instead, the choice is about finding the fighter whose baseline strengths suit you, then getting comfortable with a familiar toolkit.

What gives that toolkit more staying power is the stat-point system. At the beginning and after every level, you can invest in HP, defense, jump height, normal-attack strength, or special-attack strength. That creates a satisfying small decision after a round of straightforward combat: shore up survival, improve mobility, or lean harder into damage. It is a modest layer, but it helps your character feel less fixed than a typical arcade bruiser.

The two-player versus mode is also more than a token add-on. You can fight with the three main characters, while the second player can select from four standard enemy types as well. That makes it a worthwhile side attraction when you have someone nearby and want a quick match rather than another run through the main action.

Graphics

This is a 2D, side-view scrolling action game, so the action stays focused on the lane in front of your fighter as you move through its futuristic invasion setting. The character roster and enemy selections matter visually in versus mode, where letting the second player take control of regular enemy types adds some extra variety to the matchups.

Story

The setup is clean and unapologetically pulpy: invaders from beyond have put Earth in danger again, and Galivan and company are the ones sent to answer. It is the sort of sci-fi premise that understands its job is to get you into the next fight.

That urgency fits the game’s refusal to pause for item collecting or a long weapon-progression loop. The threat is immediate, and the structure keeps the focus on responding with fists, kicks, uppercuts, and charged shots.

Galivan is joined by two other playable characters, giving the conflict a small team dimension even though the central mission remains simple: push back the invasion. Come for a lean action premise rather than an elaborate narrative journey.

Overall Experience

Arrow of Justice is at its best when you treat it as a compact, no-nonsense sci-fi brawler with a welcome progression hook. The shared movesets keep the basics easy to grasp, while the stat spending gives you enough agency to make each run feel a little more personal.

Its limitations are tied to that same simplicity. Since the three heroes largely use the same attacks, switching characters will not completely transform how you play. The meaningful differences come from their stats and from the upgrades you choose, which may frustrate you if your favorite beat-’em-ups live or die on wildly distinct fighters.

Still, the payoff is there for anyone who enjoys old-school action with a clear objective and a little build shaping between levels. Pick it up for the brisk main-game slugfest; keep the versus mode in mind as a solid bonus when a second player is around. It is a focused game, and its best moments come from embracing that focus rather than asking it to be a larger, more elaborate adventure.

Retro Replay Score

6.8/10