Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Komando II picks up the mantle of classic run-and-gun action, tasking you with guiding your lone soldier through eight increasingly treacherous territories. From the very first mission, the game demands a blend of quick reflexes and cautious planning. The ever-rising radioactivity meter ensures you can’t wander aimlessly—every second counts as you push forward, clearing bunkers and watchtowers while dodging enemy fire.

The armament system strikes a fine balance between infinite and limited resources. You start off with an unlimited-ammo “Curevoj” machine gun and a handful of grenades, but the real fun comes from rescuing bound prisoners. Each freed captive gifts you special weapons—bazookas, flamethrowers or extra grenades—forcing you to choose when and where to risk a rescue for additional firepower. This adds strategic depth, as you constantly weigh the safety of sticking to your path against the lure of game-changing ordnance.

Enemy encounters are relentless, with waves of soldiers, grenade tossers and even flamethrower units attempting to stall your progress. Level layouts, filled with tents, foxholes and a lone tank in each territory, reward exploration but always keep you on your toes. Unlike many shooters of its era, your soldier won’t instantly die on contact with foes, which encourages aggressive tactics—but stray too far or pause for too long and that radioactivity gauge will claim you anyway.

Graphics

Visually, Komando II embraces a gritty, pixel-art aesthetic that feels both nostalgic and distinctive. The contaminated zones are rendered in muted earth tones punctuated by the glowing green of radioactive spill zones, making important elements like health pickups and explosive barrels stand out clearly against barren landscapes. Backgrounds are detailed with watchtowers, fences and hangars, creating a sense of a sprawling military complex.

Character sprites move with satisfying fluidity. Your soldier’s animations—running, firing the machine gun, lobbing grenades and ducking into cover—are crisp and responsive. Enemy soldiers exhibit varied behaviors, from slow, methodical advance to rapid grenade tosses, giving each encounter a dynamic feel. Even the lone tank in each territory feels imposing, its turret swiveling smoothly to track your position.

Special weapon effects, like the fiery burst of a flamethrower or the concussive blast of a bazooka, are rendered with eye-catching animations and screen-shaking impacts. The user interface remains unobtrusive, with a clear radioactivity meter and ammo counters tucked neatly into the corners of the screen. In all, Komando II’s graphics succeed in delivering a retro look that’s easy on the eyes while still communicating vital information during intense firefights.

Story

Komando II’s narrative is straightforward but effective: you’re a Slovak commando, dropped into eight contaminated territories to clear enemy strongholds and reach a waiting helicopter at the final zone. The radioactive plague that grips the land adds both urgency and a grim atmosphere to your mission. Each territory feels like an increasingly hostile piece of no-man’s-land, with signs of past battles and makeshift fortifications telling a story of desperation.

Story progression is mostly environmental and implied rather than delivered through lengthy cutscenes. As you push deeper, scattered prison camps and abandoned supply depots hint at the enemy’s dwindling resources. Rescuing prisoners provides brief dialogue snippets, reinforcing the stakes and rewarding you with special weapons—a clever way to tie narrative and gameplay together without breaking the action’s pace.

While there’s no elaborate plot twist, the constant pressure of advancing radioactivity and the stark visuals of desolation create compelling tension. You can almost feel the toxic air closing in, driving your soldier forward. The promise of returning home to Slovakia propels you through wave after wave of foes, turning each level into a race against time that feels deeply immersive despite minimal exposition.

Overall Experience

Komando II offers a tightly focused run-and-gun adventure that excels at delivering fast-paced, high-stakes action. The combination of infinite basic ammo, limited special weapons and the ever-looming radioactivity timer ensures you’re always thinking on your feet. Success hinges on proper use of grenades, timely prisoner rescues and a relentless push toward the finish line.

Replaying levels to master optimal routes and rescue all prisoners for maximum firepower is highly satisfying, giving the game solid replay value. Even veteran run-and-gun fans will find themselves strategizing over whether to sprint through a zone or detour for additional flamethrower fuel. The difficulty curve is well-balanced—it’s challenging without ever feeling unfair.

Although the story is sparse, the setting and environmental storytelling carry enough weight to keep you invested. Visually appealing pixel art and responsive controls round out the package. For anyone seeking a retro-inspired shooter with modern sensibilities and a unique radioactive twist, Komando II delivers an engaging, adrenaline-fuelled journey back to Slovakia.