Alpha Mission II is hardly a must-have or a must-play, but a decent enough spin for the few bucks it’s selling for. If you enjoy classic shoot-em-ups, you’ll get a few thrills out of this. More importantly, it fits the mobile platform a lot more comfortably than its peers in the Arcade Archives line-up so far. The game plays quite well with the virtual controls, so even if you don’t have access to an external controller you can still have a really good time. If you want to see what these Arcade Archives releases are all about in the best possible light, this is the one to get.

Alpha Mission II has solid core gameplay but the fun factor is heavily weighed down by a counterintuitive power-up system and some undeniably frustrating moments. That being said, if you're dying for another retro shmup then you may find some enjoyment here.

Alpha Mission II is an interesting look back at gaming in the early 90s. It introduced some unique and interesting ideas while leaving other areas unpolished, resulting in a middling game. It’s hard to ignore how awesome the Armor system is, but it’s a shame that uninspired level design and some weird design decisions ultimately hold it back from being great. If you’re a fan of shoot-em-up games, you’ll likely be able to find enjoyment in here, but if you're a casual fan just looking to jump in and play, it might be best to think twice.