1945 Air Force — Free retro-style shoot ’em up
Developer: Onesoft Studio
Price: Free
A nostalgic arcade shooter inspired by 1990s vertical shooters. You take command of an elite air squadron and pilot famous World War II aircraft across classic battlefields. The visuals retain a pixel-art charm while controls and progression have been modernized for touch devices.
What the game is like
1945 Air Force places you in the role of a squadron leader guiding a fighter through waves of enemies. Your plane fires automatically; you steer by dragging across the screen. Enemies drop coins and spare parts when destroyed — those resources are used to unlock or upgrade aircraft. The title aims to blend old-school arcade feel with more accessible mechanics and multiple play modes.
Planes, theaters, and progression
- Pilot more than 30 historically themed aircraft from the United States, United Kingdom, Soviet Union, Germany, and Japan.
- Fight across over 30 recognizable World War II battle locations.
- Upgrade aircraft performance using collected coins and spare parts; better planes become available as you progress.
Controls and difficulty
- Automatic firing reduces input complexity; movement is handled by dragging your finger across the play area.
- Three difficulty tiers are provided. Completing a lower difficulty unlocks the next, offering a gradual challenge curve.
- Play solo in offline mode or team up with others online for cooperative matches.
Issues to be aware of
- Some users report that progress and upgrade purchases are not always saved reliably, forcing repetition of completed stages.
- Upgrade and purchase costs can feel steep, especially in later stages of play.
- Recent updates have made daily tasks significantly harder to finish for casual players.
Quick highlights and drawbacks
Key features (selected)
- A wide roster of historical fighters from multiple nations.
- Pixel-art retro presentation with updated playability.
- Multiple battle maps inspired by WWII engagements.
Pros and cons
- Con: Occasional failures to persist saved progress.
- Pro: Simple, approachable controls suitable for newcomers and veterans alike.
- Con: High upgrade costs and tougher daily missions after updates.
- Pro: Both offline solo and online cooperative modes are available.
Final recommendation
If you enjoy classic vertical shooters and retro aesthetics, 1945 Air Force is worth trying — especially since it’s free. The game delivers satisfying arcade action and a large selection of vintage aircraft. However, be prepared for occasional save issues and a grindy upgrade curve; daily missions may also demand more time and skill than expected.
Technical
- Android
- English
- Spanish
- German
- Russian
- Italian
- French
- Chinese (Simplified)
- Turkish
- Czech
- Korean
- Chinese (Simplified)
- Norwegian
- Finnish
- Swedish
- Greek
- Polish
- Danish
- Japanese
- Dutch
- Portuguese
- Free