Sky Force Reloaded is a paid action game from Infinite Dreams. Reminiscent of retro arcade shoot-em-ups, this lets you pilot an aircraft of your choice as you fly through different terrain and dodge projectiles at every turn. Filled with pixel-perfect bullet hell gameplay, top-tier visual quality, and a range of unlockables, this is a game that will cater to casual and serious gamers alike.

While it features intuitive gameplay familiar to a lot of people, Sky Force Reloaded is a bit more difficult compared to other entries in the franchise, particularly Sky Force 2014. This scaling makes it challenging.

Classic dogfights for modern engines

Sky Force Reloaded represents the next generation of arcade shooters that have been a staple of video games, going as far back as Strikers 1945 in the early 90s. This game, like its predecessors in the Sky Force franchise, is a vertically scrolling shooter game where your aircraft moves upward as enemies come in all directions. It tasks you with destroying enemies while dodging projectiles.

What it features in this incarnation is obviously its improved graphics. While it features everything from a small, zoomed-out perspective, the textures and level of detail are noticeably better. This higher resolution works very well with the new aircraft models, the large-scale bosses, and the changing environment that sets the mood. Also, this time, expect a new set of soundtracks that increase the excitement.

As mentioned, the main challenge in Reloaded is its difficulty. It has different levels, from Normal to Nightmare, and a run lasts for 15 immersive stages. For serious players, it’s a great and challenging experience. However, casual players might find it a chore instead, especially when they find out that the normal difficulty can already get overwhelming. For example, bullets fill the screen, making it feel impossible to dodge.

A challenge in the sky

Overall, Sky Force Reloaded is an enjoyable aerial battle experience. By updating the tried-and-tested Sky Force game engine with better graphics and a new soundtrack, it gives players something to look forward to. There’s an all-new set of aircraft to be taken across over a dozen levels. The price, however, is a steeper difficulty curve that may not be welcoming to new players. Still, it’s a definite must-try.