The goal of Airstrike II is to clear all five zones using a fighter ship armed with a laser gun and bombs.

The player's ship must navigate tight caverns and watch for enemy fighters and heat-sensitive missiles.

"[3] while a second reviewer was more forgiving: "Excellent use has been made of the Atari 800's considerable graphics [...] As it stands, probably English Software's best title".

[4] Bob Chappell writing for Personal Computer News also liked it: "The caverns are filled with defence systems, making the game possibly the toughest and most varied version of this classic to date.

"[5] Home Computing Weekly covered Airstrike II in issue #054, concluding: "The graphics are nicely detailed and well complemented by colour.