Golden Axe II: Revisiting Sega's Classic Fantasy Sequel

Long before sprawling open worlds and ray tracing, we had simpler pleasures. Like grabbing a friend, a couple of controllers, and wading into hordes of fantasy baddies. And when it came to fantasy beat 'em ups on the Sega Genesis, Golden Axe II was often high on the list.

Released just a year after the arcade and Genesis hit, Golden Axe II had big shoes to fill. It promised more of the same sword-swinging, magic-casting action, but did it deliver a true evolution, or just a slightly polished retread? Let's grab our axes, daggers, and staves and journey back to the realm of Yuria to find out.

Back to the Realm of Yuria

The story in Golden Axe II isn't exactly War and Peace, but it sets the stage for some classic beat 'em up mayhem. The evil Dark Guild has risen, threatening the land and, you guessed it, planning to seize the legendary Golden Axe itself. It's up to our familiar trio of heroes – the barbarian Ax Battler, the amazon Tyris Flare, and the dwarf Gilius Thunderhead – to put a stop to this new threat.

You'll trek through various fantasy locales, from spooky forests and icy caves to castle rooftops and finally, the Dark Guild's fortress. It feels like a direct continuation of the first game's journey, which is both a comfort and, as some critics noted back then, a bit of a double-edged sword.

Familiar Faces, New Tricks?

Playing Golden Axe II feels instantly familiar if you've spent any time with the original. You still move from left to right, smacking down skeletons, knights, and other mythical creatures. Our heroes retain their core abilities: a standard attack, a jump attack, a dash attack, and the all-important magic.

However, Golden Axe II did introduce a few subtle, but welcome, tweaks:

• Improved Throwing: You can now throw enemies in any direction, not just forward. This adds a nice tactical layer for crowd control.
• Better Combat Timing: The feel of combat is slightly refined, making hits feel a bit more impactful and responsive.
• Riding Bizarrians: Those cool, fire-breathing chicken-leg beasts from the first game? You can still ride them, and they remain awesome.

These aren't revolutionary changes, but they polish the already solid foundation laid by the first game.

The Magic and the Mayhem

Magic remains a crucial part of the Golden Axe experience. Instead of just collecting potions and unleashing one big blast, Golden Axe II lets you manually select the level of your magic attack. Collect more magic pots, and you can choose to unleash a small, medium, or large spell, adding a layer of strategy to when and how you use your power. Tyris Flare's dragon magic is still devastating, Ax Battler's earthquake spells clear the screen, and Gilius's lightning strikes are perfect for focused damage.

The variety of enemies feels similar to the first game, perhaps too similar for some. You'll fight different colored skeletons, armored warriors, and beasts, often in larger groups than before, which can make things tricky. The boss encounters are also reminiscent of the original, sometimes feeling like slightly tougher versions of earlier foes.

More of the Same?

This is where opinions often diverge. Golden Axe II is undeniably a competent beat 'em up. The controls are good, the action is satisfying, and the music is catchy (if a bit less iconic than the first). However, its biggest criticism, both then and now, is its striking similarity to the original.

Locations, enemies, and overall structure feel like they were pulled directly from the first game's design document. While the original Golden Axe was a groundbreaking arcade hit, releasing a sequel on the same console that felt so iterative just a year later left some players wanting more innovation. Games like Streets of Rage were pushing the Genesis beat 'em up genre forward with different settings and mechanics, making Golden Axe II feel a little stagnant by comparison.

It's not a bad game by any stretch, but it perhaps suffered from following too closely in the footsteps of its legendary predecessor instead of forging its own path (like the excellent arcade-only Golden Axe: Revenge of Death Adder did).

Duel Mode: A Hidden Gem?

One neat addition in Golden Axe II was the "Duel Mode." This separate mode lets one or two players face off against waves of enemies in a single arena. It's essentially a survival or horde mode and offers a fun challenge outside the main story, perfect for quick bursts of co-op action, even if the limited enemy variety eventually shows.

Reliving the Adventure Today

Feeling nostalgic? Thankfully, getting your hands on Golden Axe II today is easier than ever.

• SEGA Forever: The Golden Axe series, including GA2, is available as part of the SEGA Forever collection on mobile devices (iOS and Android). It's free-to-play with ads, or you can pay to remove them.
• Modern Collections: Golden Axe II is often included in various Sega Genesis/Mega Drive collections released on modern consoles like PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
• Emulation: For PC players, emulators like Kega Fusion or Genesis Plus GX (often found within frontends like RetroArch) can provide an authentic Genesis experience if you own the original cartridge or ROM. (Remember to check local laws regarding ROM ownership!)

Whether you play it on your phone, a modern console, or through emulation, the core beat 'em up fun of Golden Axe II holds up as a solid retro experience.

Final Thoughts: Golden Axe II's Legacy

So, was Golden Axe II a worthy sequel? It depends on what you expected. If you wanted a direct continuation with refined gameplay, it delivered. If you hoped for a revolutionary leap forward, you might have been disappointed.

It might not reach the legendary status of the original arcade smash, nor is it as critically acclaimed as some of its Genesis beat 'em up contemporaries. But Golden Axe II remains a fun, nostalgic trip back to a simpler time of fantasy combat. It's a solid entry in the series and a game well worth revisiting for any retro gamer who loves a good side-scrolling brawler. Grab a friend, unleash some magic, and show the Dark Guild who's boss!

FAQ

Q: What system was Golden Axe II originally released on? A: Golden Axe II was originally released exclusively for the Sega Genesis (Mega Drive in other regions) in 1991.

Q: Who are the main characters in Golden Axe II? A: The main playable characters are the same trio from the first game: Ax Battler the Barbarian, Tyris Flare the Amazon, and Gilius Thunderhead the Dwarf.

Q: Is Golden Axe II available on modern consoles? A: Yes, Golden Axe II is included in many Sega Genesis/Mega Drive collections available on modern platforms like PS4/PS5, Xbox One/Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC (via Steam). It's also on the SEGA Forever mobile app.

Q: How does the magic system in Golden Axe II differ from the first game? A: In Golden Axe II, instead of automatically using all collected magic pots for one spell, you can manually choose the level of your magic attack (small, medium, or large) depending on how many pots you have collected.