Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Golden Axe II retains the signature hack-and-slash mechanics that made its predecessor a cult favorite, but it refines and expands them in several meaningful ways. Players choose from three distinct heroes—Ax-Battler the barbarian, Tyris-Flare the Amazon, and Gilius Thunderhead the dwarf—each with their own melee strengths and magic affinities. Combat centers on close-quarters slashes, jumping strikes, and timed blocks, with scrolls scattered throughout levels to fuel increasingly powerful spells. This balance of physical brawling and magical bombardment keeps encounters varied and satisfying.

One of the most welcome additions is the ability to commandeer beasts, from armored dragons to towering lizards. Mounts amplify your attack range and offer temporary invulnerability to certain hits, turning tense skirmishes into opportunities for cinematic crowd-control. Using these creatures strategically—luring enemies beneath the beast or baiting them into terrain hazards—adds a layer of tactical decision-making that elevates the pace beyond button-mashing.

Difficulty curves are well-tuned, catering equally to newcomers and genre veterans. Early stages serve as a gentle tutorial, reinforcing combos and magic usage, while later levels throw swarms of armored soldiers, flying wyverns, and colossal bosses at you. Controls remain tight and responsive, ensuring that charges, spin attacks, and jump-kicks feel precise. The inclusion of two-player local co-op doubles the fun as you and a friend coordinate magic strikes and share rideable mounts to clear hordes of foes together.

Graphics

On Sega Genesis hardware, Golden Axe II achieves an artful balance between detailed sprites and colorful backdrops. Character animations are fluid, with each hero’s swing, dodge, and spell-cast accompanied by smooth frame transitions. Enemy designs range from skeletal warriors to ogre-like brutes, each sporting distinctive color palettes that stand out against the varied stage environments.

Backgrounds demonstrate a medieval fantasy richness—from snow-covered peaks to fiery lava pits—infused with subtle parallax scrolling that lends a sense of depth. Decorative elements, such as flickering torches, crumbling stone arches, or distant castles, create an immersive atmosphere without overwhelming the action. Boss arenas go further, using larger set pieces and dynamic lighting to underscore the threat level and scale of each showdown.

Magical effects pop off the screen, especially when unleashing high-tier spells. Lightning arcs, fireballs, and whirlwinds come with satisfying impact flashes and screen-shakes that heighten the drama. While hardware limitations mean occasional sprite flicker in the busiest scenes, these moments are rare and do little to detract from the overall visual spectacle. In short, Golden Axe II remains one of the most appealing beat ’em ups on 16-bit consoles.

Story

Golden Axe II picks up not long after the defeat of the tyrannical Death Adder. Peace is shattered when Dark Guld, once sealed away, reemerges and seizes the titular artifact for his malevolent ends. The Golden Axe—legendary for its power to protect the realm—now threatens to plunge the world into chaos under Dark Guld’s command.

Our three heroes heed the call to arms: Ax-Battler, the mountain of muscle; Tyris-Flare, whose swordgplay is matched only by her fiery magic; and Gilius Thunderhead, the stout dwarf whose hammers and thunder spells level foes in an instant. Though the narrative framework remains straightforward—a classic “rescue the land by retrieving the Golden Axe” quest—it provides a clear motivation for the relentless action and connects each stage with a sense of urgency.

Cutscenes bookending each level are simple yet effective, using pixel art illustrations to depict the heroes’ progress and Dark Guld’s growing menace. While the plot doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it sets the stage for dramatic boss encounters and boss reveals, making each new stronghold feel like a meaningful step toward restoring peace. For fans of arcade-style adventure, the story’s lean structure is perfect fuel for nonstop action.

Overall Experience

Golden Axe II delivers a polished, action-packed journey that stands the test of time. The blend of tight combat, cooperative play, and beast-riding sequences ensures every playthrough feels fresh. Progression feels rewarding: earning magic scrolls and unlocking more potent spells creates a nice risk-reward loop in the heat of battle, as you decide when to unleash your limited but devastating arcane power.

Replay value is high thanks to character-specific paths and hidden secrets tucked into each stage. Experimenting with different hero and mount combinations uncovers alternate strategies for defeating tougher foes. Two-player mode provides memorable couch co-op sessions, where coordinated attacks and shared magic build an electrifying synergy.

While Golden Axe II may not radically reinvent the formula, its refinements—enhanced visuals, nuanced beast mechanics, and a polished difficulty curve—make it one of the standout beat ’em ups of its era. For anyone seeking a satisfying mix of swordplay, sorcery, and high-fantasy thrills, this sequel remains an essential addition to any retro gaming collection.

Retro Replay Score

7.4/10