Space Elite Force II

Well it's more of the same. This time with more levels, some of which contain sections where you need to navigate your ship inside a death star/space carrier. The variation helps and the game is slightly more difficult this time around. No real complaints, it's a fine little shmup.
As well as your regular shot you can fire bombs that are on a short 1.5 second or so cooldown. You develop a kind of internal metronome to hit the button every time it refreshes.
The game is very short, but most SHMUPs are.
It's far from the greatest SHMUP out there but it's very competent and fun enough that I'll keep picking these up if the developer keeps evolving it and pricing them cheaply like this.

Space Elite Force II is a fast-paced side-scrolling space shooter developed and published by Rising Moon Games that embraces the spirit of classic arcade shoot-’em-ups while layering in modern conveniences such as weapon customization, multiple game modes, and cooperative play. It positions itself squarely within the retro-inspired shmup tradition, prioritizing responsiveness, screen awareness, and reflex-driven combat over narrative complexity or experimental mechanics. From the first moments of play, the game establishes a relentless tempo, making it clear that survival depends on constant movement, precise firing, and quick decision-making.
The core experience revolves around piloting a starfighter through horizontally scrolling stages filled with dense enemy formations, environmental hazards, and an ever-escalating barrage of projectiles. Enemies arrive in patterned waves that demand memorization and adaptability, encouraging players to learn movement routes and firing angles rather than relying on brute force alone. Combat feels immediate and snappy, with responsive controls that allow for tight dodging and aggressive positioning. The screen frequently fills with action, but the game generally maintains clarity, ensuring that threats remain readable even during intense encounters.
A defining feature of Space Elite Force II is its weapon and upgrade system. As players progress, they gain access to a variety of weapons that can be enhanced to better suit different playstyles. Whether focusing on raw damage output, wider shot coverage, or faster firing rates, these upgrades meaningfully affect how encounters play out. This progression adds a layer of strategy beneath the arcade chaos, as choosing when and how to invest in upgrades can significantly influence survivability in later stages.
Boss encounters serve as major highlights throughout the game. These battles are built around recognizable attack patterns, screen-filling projectiles, and shifting phases that test both memorization and composure under pressure. Bosses feel appropriately threatening, often requiring multiple attempts to master their rhythms. While challenging, these encounters are generally fair, reinforcing the satisfaction that comes from improvement through repetition rather than random chance.
One of the game’s strongest aspects is its local cooperative mode. Supporting two players on the same screen, co-op transforms the experience into a shared test of coordination and communication. Managing space, dividing responsibilities, and navigating overlapping projectile patterns together adds a new layer of intensity and enjoyment. While the single-player experience is solid on its own, co-op play amplifies the fun and chaos, making it especially appealing for fans of classic couch multiplayer arcade games.
Visually, Space Elite Force II adopts a colorful pixel art style that pays homage to 90s arcade shooters. Starfields, alien environments, and mechanical enemies are rendered with clean sprites and vibrant effects that keep the action visually engaging. Explosions and weapon effects provide satisfying feedback without overwhelming the screen, helping maintain visual clarity during high-density moments. The overall presentation is polished and consistent, even if it does not push stylistic boundaries.
Audio design complements the action-focused presentation. The soundtrack delivers energetic, driving tracks that reinforce the game’s relentless pace, while sound effects provide clear feedback for shots, hits, and explosions. Though the music may not be particularly memorable on its own, it does its job effectively, maintaining momentum and heightening tension during both standard stages and boss fights.
In terms of structure, Space Elite Force II offers multiple modes to extend replay value. A story-driven mode provides light narrative context for the action, while Arcade Mode focuses on pure survival and score chasing. Boss Rush Mode strips the experience down further, challenging players to face consecutive boss encounters without respite. These modes cater to different play preferences, whether the goal is progression, mastery, or competitive high-score runs.
The game’s main limitations stem from its scope rather than its execution. The campaign is relatively short, and players looking for extensive content or narrative depth may find the experience brief. Additionally, the game largely adheres to genre conventions without introducing major innovations, which may make it feel familiar to seasoned shmup players. Control customization options are also somewhat limited, which can be a drawback for players who prefer tailored input setups.
Overall, Space Elite Force II succeeds by delivering a focused, high-energy shooter that understands its audience. It does not attempt to reinvent the genre, but instead refines familiar mechanics into a tight, enjoyable package built around skill, repetition, and escalation. For fans of arcade-style space shooters, especially those who enjoy cooperative play and weapon progression, it offers a satisfying blend of challenge and accessibility. While its ambitions are modest, its execution is confident, making Space Elite Force II a solid and engaging entry in the modern indie shmup landscape.
Rating: 7/10

This game is... nice. It's a basic alien shooter with 'beat up some little ones and then the boss' type of campain. Everything in the game is generally good. It's well optimalized, goodlooking and working. Though, it is very short and repetetive, I don't see any reason for replaying the game after finishing it unless you really like the genre. Also I expected something more from the weaponary system as it only lets you choose 2 guns and one bonus ablity each with only 3 upgrades. One another thing I'd suggest is changing the controls system. It'd be really nice if you could customize them. Also I noticed that when you enter the game ENTER no longer works as a 'select' button in the pause menu and instead you need to use space, which is told not even in the controls menu.
To sum up, if you like short bullet hells and alien shooters, I'd reccomend it.

ok