Impossible Mission II (USA) (Unl)

Impossible Mission II elevates the spy-thriller platforming concept to new heights, building upon the foundation of its revolutionary predecessor with expanded gameplay and enhanced challenges. Released in 1988 across multiple computer platforms and later ported to various consoles, Impossible Mission II continues the desperate race against time as players once again infiltrate the lair of the evil Professor Elvin Atombender, who threatens global security with his diabolical schemes. The sequel expands the gameplay environment from a single fortress to eight interconnected towers, each with unique themes and security systems. What makes Impossible Mission II particularly compelling is its blend of action platforming with puzzle-solving elements—searching furniture for password fragments, manipulating object sequences, and hacking security terminals, all while dodging deadly robots and security systems. The game maintains the signature tension of its predecessor through a relentless countdown timer that adds urgency to every move. Impossible Mission II's distinctive feature is the password assembly puzzle that requires players to collect fragments scattered throughout the towers and arrange them correctly to access Atombender's central control room. With its digitized speech (remarkable for its era), challenging gameplay, and sophisticated puzzle design, Impossible Mission II stands as a defining espionage adventure that demands both quick reflexes and strategic thinking.

Impossible Mission II was developed by Epyx and released in 1988, following the significant critical success of the original Impossible Mission from 1984. The sequel was first launched on popular home computers of the era including the Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum, and Amstrad CPC, before receiving ports to consoles like the Nintendo Entertainment System. Designer Dennis Caswell returned to expand upon his original concept, addressing player feedback while maintaining the core tension that made the first game so compelling. The game's digitized speech—including the iconic villain's greeting and the agent's death scream—was technically impressive for the time and became one of the signature elements that players remember decades later. While not achieving the same revolutionary status as its predecessor (which is often cited among the most influential computer games of the 1980s), Impossible Mission II is nonetheless regarded as a worthy sequel that successfully expanded upon the original's formula. Today, Impossible Mission II is appreciated by collectors and enthusiasts of retro games for its challenging gameplay, atmospheric presentation, and significant contribution to the puzzle-platformer genre, representing an era when game design focused on creating tension through limited resources and constant pressure.