Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Elevator Action II drops you into a fast-paced espionage thrill ride, blending strategic elevator maze navigation with classic run-and-gun action. At the start, you choose from three distinct operatives—Kart Bradfield, Edie Burrett, or Jad the Taff—each offering a unique mix of speed, firepower, and gadgetry. Deciding which agent fits your playstyle adds a welcome layer of depth, since primary and secondary weapons vary in rate of fire, damage output, and reload speed.

(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 core objective remains the same as the 1983 original: infiltrate six increasingly complex high-rise buildings, hack into specially marked red doors, and retrieve vital computer data before time runs out. Along the way, blue doors activate a randomized “wheel of fortune” that can grant everything from health packs and bonus points to devastating rocket launchers and machine guns. This roulette mechanic keeps each run unpredictable and encourages risk-reward decisions—do you pause to spin for that rocket launcher, or keep racing to locate the next red door?

Combat flows smoothly with responsive controls that let you duck into elevators, blast through barrels and crates, and take on a colorful rogue’s gallery of foes—zombie soldiers, trench-coat goons, guard dogs, and more. Cameras scattered on each floor sound alarms if you linger too long, adding a stealth-action vibe: disable them quickly, or prepare for reinforcements and a ticking clock. Fail to clear a building before the timer expires, and the entire structure self-destructs, costing you a life and forcing you to adapt on subsequent attempts.

The game’s pacing strikes a satisfying balance between frantic scrambles up and down shafts, methodical clearing of rooms, and opportunistic item grabs. Elevator Action II rewards both memorization of level layouts and improvisation when surprise enemy placements or weapon drops shake up the action. Whether you’re a returning fan or a newcomer to this vintage sequel, the gameplay loop hooks you with its blend of arcade immediacy and tactical choices.

Graphics

Elevator Action II retains the charming pixel art style of its predecessor while upgrading environments with richer color palettes and more detailed sprite animations. Each building’s interior boasts distinct visual themes—from sleek corporate lobbies to dimly lit server rooms—making it easy to tell locations apart as you navigate the maze of elevators and doorways.

Character sprites are crisp and expressive, conveying the weight of each weapon fire and the urgency of rapid elevator door hops. Minor touches, like sparks flying when barrels explode or alarm lights flashing on camera shots, add polish and make each encounter feel dynamic. Though the game hails from the late ’90s arcade era, its art direction holds up well on modern screens, offering a clear, retro aesthetic that still feels vibrant.

On-screen UI elements such as timers, life bars, and item indicators are cleanly integrated at the top of the display, ensuring essential information stays visible without obstructing the action. Background animations—like rotating ceiling fans or flickering monitors—lend environments a lived-in quality, while smooth scrolling keeps elevator transitions fluid. Overall, the visual presentation enhances gameplay clarity and reinforces the spy-thriller atmosphere.

Story

While Elevator Action II isn’t a narrative powerhouse, it furnishes just enough spy-themed context to frame the gameplay. You assume the role of an elite secret agent dispatched to infiltrate corporate strongholds and retrieve stolen computer data. The plot unfolds implicitly through selectable character bios and arcade-style mission intros rather than lengthy cutscenes.

Each playable agent carries a hint of backstory—Kart’s reputation as a straight-shooting veteran, Edie’s reputation for agility and gadget mastery, and Jad’s brute-force approach. These brief character sketches inform your strategic choices and enrich the otherwise minimalist storyline. Dialogues are kept to terse mission briefs and victory taunts, preserving the arcade spirit of action-first gameplay.

The game’s structure—six buildings of rising complexity—serves as a loose story arc in itself: from initial reconnaissance to the climactic showdown. You feel a tangible sense of progression as environments become more elaborate and enemy types more aggressive, even without a traditional narrative. For many players, this streamlined storytelling perfectly complements the arcade-style focus on replayability and high scores.

Overall Experience

Elevator Action II delivers a compelling blend of time-sensitive missions, varied enemy encounters, and character-driven weapon loadouts. Its arcade DNA shines through in the addictive push for faster runs, higher point tallies, and flawless clears. Each playthrough feels fresh thanks to randomized item spawns and the roulette wheel mechanic, driving you to refine routes and experiment with different strategies.

The combination of responsive controls, clear visuals, and memorable sound effects makes every elevator ride—whether ascending under fire or diving to evade pursuers—a pulse-pounding moment. Cooperative two-player mode (in arcade versions) further enhances the fun, letting you team up and coordinate attacks as you race against time together.

For fans of classic action-arcade games and spy-themed shooters, Elevator Action II is a must-try relic that remains entertaining on modern platforms. Its simple yet deep gameplay loop rewards both quick reflexes and thoughtful planning. While it may lack the narrative depth of contemporary titles, its engaging mechanics and timeless presentation ensure that each outing through those elevator shafts feels like a well-earned adventure.

Retro Replay Score

7.4/10