Skyfox II: The Cygnus Conflict is a 2D sci-fi combat game developed by Dynamix and published by Electronic Arts. You can download it for free from GamesNostalgia.
The game was created by Damon Slye, Kevin Ryan, and Jeff Tunnell, founders of Dynamix. It was initially developed for the Commodore 64, then ported to Amiga in 1988, MS-DOS, and Atari ST in 1988. It is the sequel to Skyfox, which was released one year before.
As the pilot, you're tasked with completing various missions set in a sci-fi universe filled with different types of enemy spacecraft and installations. Compared to the original Skyfox, Skyfox II significantly improves graphics and gameplay. The game's graphics are more detailed and colorful, and the cockpit view is more immersive. Considering that we are talking about 1987 (or 1988), the graphics are really impressive. The game also features more varied missions, with a greater variety of enemy spacecraft and installations to battle.
Unlike Arcticfox, which was created for the Amiga, with 3D technology, Skyfox and Skyfox II are initially 8-bit games developed with 2D graphics. Despite this, the first-person view creates a very good sense of realism. The "cockpit view" creates an immersive experience, and the vast universe feels expansive, with different missions taking you to various locations.
Skyfox 2's gameplay is challenging, with several weapons and upgrades to acquire and multiple enemy types to battle. The authors tried to add a lot of realism, even too much, which makes things a bit difficult for the players. In total, you will need to use up to 28 command keys, not counting the joystick, to control everything. A bit too much. Plus, some missions can be frustratingly difficult, requiring multiple attempts to complete. However, if you are a fan of the first Skyfox or the iconic Arcticfox, I'm pretty sure you will like Skyfox II. Just remember to use a real joystick!
Below you can find some of the commands:
Review by: GN Team
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