Air Fortress

Air Fortress presents a two-stage mission structure against a fleet of massive enemy spacecraft. The player controls Hal Bailman, a pilot equipped with a unique Lightship, tasked with neutralizing eight of these threats. The initial phase involves navigating the fortress exterior in a side-scrolling shooter segment, confronting waves of airborne foes to reach a docking point.

Upon entering the interior, gameplay shifts to an exploration-focused mode where Hal proceeds on foot. Movement and weapon use are governed by an energy system that depletes with action and recharges when stationary. His arsenal includes a standard blaster and limited, more powerful bombs. The objective inside is to locate and destroy the central core, then find an escape vessel before the entire structure detonates.

Resource management is a consistent element, with items to replenish energy or bomb stocks available in both gameplay segments. During the external shooter sequences, temporary power-ups can also be acquired, including ones that grant brief invulnerability or eliminate all on-screen enemies.