Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

ActRaiser 2 shifts entirely into the side-scrolling action mold, putting you in direct control of The Master, a god-like spirit tasked with eradicating evil from the land. From the very first level, you’ll be running, jumping and slashing through hordes of monsters, making use of a varied moveset that includes standard sword attacks, aerial combos and a suite of powerful super abilities unlocked as you progress. The pacing is relentless, with tight platforming sections that demand precise timing and quick reflexes, ensuring that each encounter feels fresh and engaging.

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One of the standout features is the Cloud Palace map, which returns from the original ActRaiser but takes on a new role here. Instead of city-building sequences, you use the zoomable map to select your next battleground, charting a course through fourteen distinct levels. This structure gives the game a satisfying sense of progression, as you see the world gradually freed from darkness zone by zone. Hidden RPG-style elements—such as secret rooms, item pickups and experience-boosting jewels—add depth for completionists willing to scour every corner.

The level design is expertly crafted to highlight The Master’s growing repertoire. Early stages ease you into basic platforming and combat, but later levels introduce environmental hazards—lava pits, crumbling platforms and wind tunnels—that keep the challenge high. Boss fights punctuate each stage, demanding pattern recognition and skillful use of your super powers. While there’s no village management this time around, ActRaiser 2’s pure-action focus provides a different kind of reward: uninterrupted, adrenaline-fueled engagement from start to finish.

Graphics

Visually, ActRaiser 2 stands as one of the Super NES’s finest 2D action titles. The sprite work is exceptionally detailed—monster designs range from skeletal warriors to massive, horned demons, each rendered with smooth animations that bring them to life. Backgrounds are richly layered, utilizing parallax scrolling to create a sense of depth and immersion, whether you’re hacking through a haunted castle or navigating a sky-high fortress.

The color palette is vibrant without feeling garish, striking a balance between the bleakness of a land overrun by evil and the divine aura of The Master. Subtle effects—like shimmering water, flickering torches and explosive spell animations—add polish and grandeur to key moments. The boss arenas, in particular, are visually striking, often featuring dynamic backgrounds that change as the battle progresses, reinforcing the epic scale of your divine quest.

While the elimination of the city-building sequences means fewer artistic style changes compared to the original, ActRaiser 2 compensates with varied environmental themes. From the windswept dunes of desert ruins to the frosty peaks of mountain temples, each level offers a distinct visual identity. These graphical shifts not only showcase the engine’s versatility but also keep the experience visually stimulating across all fourteen stages.

Story

The narrative of ActRaiser 2 is lean and purposeful, focusing squarely on The Master’s crusade against the forces of evil. Unlike its predecessor, which alternated between godly guidance and side-scrolling action, this sequel delivers its story through brief pre-level texts and evocative environmental storytelling. You learn of villages laid to waste, shrines defiled and tyrants born of darkness, all driving you onward to the next confrontation.

Despite its brevity, the plot retains the mythic tone fans expect. Voice-of-God narration is absent here, but the script’s poetic language and carefully chosen dialogue snippets maintain an air of divine authority. Each chapter feels like a chapter in a holy chronicle, and by the final showdown, you genuinely feel the weight of the world’s salvation resting on your shoulders.

For players craving deeper lore, hidden secrets tucked away in challenging rooms reward exploration with scraps of backstory—ancient inscriptions, statues depicting prior battles and hints at a greater cosmic struggle. While ActRaiser 2’s storytelling is more minimalist than the original’s village segments, it complements the fast-paced gameplay and leaves enough breadcrumbs for your imagination to fill in the gaps.

Overall Experience

ActRaiser 2 is a masterclass in pure action-platforming. By forgoing the city-building mode, it doubles down on fluid combat, intricate level design and high-stakes boss encounters. The shift to a password-save system may feel like a step back for players accustomed to battery-backed saves, but passwords are well-organized and make revisiting favorite stages straightforward.

The new musical score deserves special mention: composed specifically for the sequel, it blends sweeping orchestral motifs with adrenaline-pumping beats that perfectly underscore each level’s atmosphere. Familiar sound effects from the original act as a nostalgic bridge, but the fresh melodies and dynamic tracks ensure ActRaiser 2 stands on its own auditory merits.

For anyone seeking a challenging, visually stunning action title on the Super NES, ActRaiser 2 delivers. Its combination of tight controls, varied level themes and hidden RPG flourishes creates a rewarding experience that keeps you hooked across all fourteen levels. While it diverges from the hybrid formula of the first ActRaiser, this sequel refines the core action into a divine crusade worthy of The Master himself.

Retro Replay Score

7.2/10