Play Twin Eagle II - The Rescue Mission Online

Twin Eagle II: The Rescue Mission came out in arcades in 1988, developed by Seta Corporation. It was part of that wave of late 80s shooters where developers were experimenting with perspective and control schemes, trying to stand out in a crowded genre. You don't hear about it as much as some of the bigger names from that year, but it had its own distinct flavor.

You pilot a helicopter through a series of military bases and enemy territories, tasked with rescuing POWs and destroying everything in your path. The defining mechanic is the 360 degree free-aiming; you can spin your turret independently from your movement, letting you fire in any direction while navigating. The screen scrolls automatically, forcing you to keep up a brisk pace, and the difficulty ramps up quickly with swarms of tanks, jets, and ground troops. It feels chaotic and demanding, a constant test of your ability to aim and dodge at the same time.