Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Action Force II: International Heroes delivers a unique two-man operation that sets it apart from many run-and-gun titles of its era. You control Quick Kick as he ascends each building façade, leaping between ledges and avoiding traps, while your secondary role as Airtight in the helicopter adds a layer of strategic gunplay. The dual-focus gameplay is refreshing: Quick Kick’s agility and Airtight’s spot-on targeting must be synchronized to clear each screen of threats, from barrel-throwing goons to hidden fighters crouched in urban debris.

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As Airtight, you manage a reticle that must intercept projectiles and eliminate enemies before they can harm Quick Kick. This creates a constant tug-of-war between offense and defense. Quick Kick’s energy bar is on a knife-edge, and missing a collapsing beam or an unwary grenade can spell instant failure. Fortunately, the occasional US flag targets scattered across the skyline restore health, encouraging precision shooting even under pressure.

The screen-by-screen progression keeps each level bite-sized but challenging. After Quick Kick secures one section, the camera pans to reveal fresh high-rise segments teeming with new hazards. While the core loop can feel repetitive over time, the addition of escalating enemy patterns and environmental obstacles—such as moving platforms and electrified panels—helps maintain a steady difficulty curve that will satisfy players seeking a tight, skill-based challenge.

Graphics

Visually, Action Force II strikes a balance between colorful cartoonish sprites and gritty urban backdrops. Quick Kick and Airtight are rendered with enough detail to convey their personalities: Quick Kick’s martial-arts uniform pops against the muted concrete facades, and Airtight’s helicopter stands out in bold military green. The varied skyline backdrops—from dawn-lit cityscapes to dimly lit night missions—add atmosphere to what could otherwise be just another side-scroller.

Animation is fluid for the lead characters, though some enemy sprites share repetitive frames that become noticeable during prolonged firefights. Explosions and barrel physics are well-executed, giving a satisfying punch when hazards are neutralized. The visual cues for incoming threats—like flashing barrels or muzzle flashes—are clear, helping you react quickly as Quick Kick scales higher.

Despite the limitations of its hardware, the game maintains a stable frame rate even when multiple hazards and bullets populate the screen. Background elements scroll smoothly, and the occasional parallax effect on distant buildings lends a subtle sense of depth. While it may not rival the more lavish productions of its generation, International Heroes boasts a clean, approachable aesthetic that supports its breakneck gameplay without visual clutter.

Story

The narrative premise of Action Force II: International Heroes is straightforward: COBRA has taken citizens hostage in skyscrapers around the globe, and it’s up to two elite commandos to bring them home safely. There’s little in the way of plot twists or deep character arcs, but the setup provides just enough motivation to propel you from one mission to the next. Each level’s brief text introduction hints at a fresh city under siege, giving a sense of global stakes.

Quick Kick and Airtight are established members of the Action Force team, and though their back-and-forth banter is minimal, their contrasting roles—martial artist versus explosives expert—give the team dynamic a touch of personality. The lack of in-game cinematics or dialogue is a missed opportunity, but the text-based mission briefs help fill in the gaps between levels and reinforce the rescue objectives.

Rather than relying on an elaborate storyline, the title leans into its arcade-style roots, focusing on fast-paced action over narrative depth. If you’re looking for a sprawling tale of espionage and betrayal, you might find the game’s story lean. However, the straightforward rescue premise is serviceable, and the global “hostage-extraction” theme keeps each level’s stakes feeling immediate and urgent.

Overall Experience

Action Force II: International Heroes offers an inventive twist on the classic platform shooter by dividing duties between Quick Kick’s rooftop ascent and Airtight’s aerial defense. This two-tiered approach creates a tense, engaging loop that rewards coordination and precision. While the difficulty can spike unexpectedly—especially in later levels with denser enemy fire—the built-in health pickups and clear threat indicators help mitigate frustration.

Graphically, the game leans into its strengths with clear character sprites and varied urban backdrops, while occasional performance slowdowns are minimal. The sound design—thumping action music, crisp gunfire, and helicopter rotors—complements the visuals, heightening the sense of urgency as Quick Kick races toward each hostage. A more robust narrative would have been welcome, but the simple rescue plot does the job of keeping players invested across multiple stages.

For fans of skill-based, arcade-style action games, International Heroes stands out for its cooperative concept within a single-player experience. Its blend of platforming and cursor-driven shooting demands both quick reflexes and strategic foresight, making for a satisfying challenge from start to finish. If you’re in the market for a tight, high-stakes rescue mission with an unconventional gameplay duo, Action Force II: International Heroes is well worth exploring.

Retro Replay Score

null/10