Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Air Raid: This Is Not a Drill throws you straight into the thick of World War II naval combat, placing you behind one of the battleship’s fixed gun turrets. The core loop is simple yet addictive: track incoming enemy aircraft or ships, choose the appropriate weapon—bullets from the main gun, limited but powerful missiles, or depth charges—and fire away. As enemy formations grow more daring and diverse, you’ll need to juggle rapid target acquisition with limited ammunition reserves, making every shot count.

(HEY YOU!! We hope you enjoy! We try not to run ads. So basically, this is a very expensive hobby running this site. Please consider joining us for updates, forums, and more. Network w/ us to make some cash or friends while retro gaming, and you can win some free retro games for posting. Okay, carry on 👍)

The level design ramps up tension effectively. Early missions introduce you to single squadrons of fighters, but before long you’re facing mixed waves of dive-bombers, torpedo boats, and even fast-moving destroyers. Each weapon type plays a distinct role: the main gun excels at strafing runs, missiles take out heavy bombers in one shot, and depth charges deal devastating area damage to surface vessels. This tri-weapon system keeps the gameplay loop fresh, encouraging you to prioritize and switch targets on the fly.

Multiplayer adds another layer of strategy and camaraderie. Up to four players can each man a different turret, coordinating who covers the skies, who handles distant bombers, and who takes on sea threats. Cooperative communication is vital—calling out incoming strikes or requesting a missile reload becomes an integral part of the experience. For solo players, AI teammates step in, though they sometimes lack the precision or intuition of a human partner.

Graphics

Visually, Air Raid strikes a balance between arcade flair and historical authenticity. The ocean shimmers under varied skyboxes—clear dawns, stormy afternoons, and dusky evenings all look impressive. Enemy planes leave contrails and smoke trails that help you track their movement across the sky, while explosions send out realistic shockwaves on both water and metal surfaces.

The battleship itself is rendered with meticulous detail. Rivets, deck plating, and rotating turret barrels feel convincingly weighty, and the HUD is unobtrusive yet informative. Depth charges create impressive underwater ripples when they detonate, offering satisfying feedback for well-placed shots. The minimal recoil animation on the main gun strikes a good balance between realism and responsiveness, so you never feel bogged down by cumbersome reload times.

Particle effects deserve special mention: tracer rounds streak through the air in vivid arcs, flak bursts create puffs of black smoke, and missile launches kick up debris on deck. While the game doesn’t push next-gen ray tracing or 4K textures, its polished art style ensures clarity in the heat of battle, even when dozens of targets fill the screen.

Story

Air Raid doesn’t lean on a heavy narrative—it’s less about a sprawling campaign and more about the immediacy of defending a capital ship under siege. That said, the game weaves in enough context to make each mission feel purposeful. Before each level, you’ll hear radio chatter about convoy positions, intercepted enemy intel, or distress calls from nearby vessels, grounding you in the larger war effort.

As you progress through increasingly perilous theaters—from the North Atlantic to the Pacific—the mission briefs hint at historical operations and shifting fronts. Earning medals for marksmanship or mission completion adds to the sense of a personal war story, rewarding consistency and daring feats. Though character development is minimal, the stakes feel real: watch your allies’ ships burn if you falter, and experience a palpable sense of relief when you successfully repel a massive aerial onslaught.

The modest narrative framework works in tandem with gameplay, providing context without overstaying its welcome. If you’re looking for intricate plot twists or deep-cut characters, you might find the story lean. But if you crave a serviceable backdrop that intensifies each wave of attackers, Air Raid delivers just enough lore and atmosphere to keep you invested.

Overall Experience

Air Raid: This Is Not a Drill excels as both a pick-up-and-play arcade shooter and a cooperative challenge for WWII enthusiasts. Its streamlined mechanics and escalating difficulty curve make each play session feel rewarding, whether you’re grinding for a higher score or coordinating with friends online. The blend of weapon management, target prioritization, and teamwork keeps the tension high without overwhelming newcomers.

Repetition is the game’s only real Achilles’ heel—facing endless waves of jets and boats can grow familiar once you’ve unlocked all levels and medals. However, the developers include adjustable difficulty settings and challenge modes (such as “iron man” with no missile respawns), which help extend the game’s lifespan and cater to hardcore defense aficionados.

In the end, Air Raid offers a crisp, focused experience that nails the thrill of manning a battleship battling the skies and seas. It may not reinvent the first-person shooter genre, but it delivers an engaging twist on turret-based defense, complete with commendable visuals and cooperative play that fosters genuine teamwork. If you’re drawn to WWII action or simply crave an intense, turret-focused shooter, this title is well worth enlisting.

Retro Replay Score

5.5/10