Golden Axe II
Three warriors seek to recover the Golden Axe.
Golden Axe II, a 1991 beat 'em up for the Sega Genesis, is the second game in the series and a direct follow-up to the 1989 original. Players choose one of three heroes to retrieve the Golden Axe by defeating Dark Guld and his forces. It improves on the first game by letting players pick their magic strength and use a new spinning attack that hits all nearby foes.
Quick Facts
- Developer
- Sega
- Designer
- Kazuma Fujii
- Composer
- Naofumi Hataya; Masafumi Ogata
- Series
- Golden Axe
- Platforms
- Sega Genesis
- Released
- December 27, 1991 (JP)
- January 1992 (NA)
- 1992 (EU)
- Genre
- Beat 'em up
- Modes
- Single-player, multiplayer
Facts from the source article.
Gameplay
Golden Axe II is a side-scrolling hack and slash game with gameplay identical to its predecessor. The player chooses from three fighters: Gilius Thunderhead, an axe-handling dwarf; Ax Battler, a barbarian wielding a two-handed sword; and Tyris Flare, an amazon with a longsword. Each fighter has a unique elemental magic that can be used to damage enemies. The player has a set of life bars that deplete upon being hit. Improvements over the first game include a back attack that hits enemies on all sides, performed by pressing Jump and Attack simultaneously. Enemies can be thrown in either direction by pressing left or right on the D-pad after picking them up. The magic system was overhauled: instead of using all magic pots at once, the player can hold the magic button and release it at a desired level. Ax Battler's magic changed from exploding to wind, Gilius Thunderhead's from lightning to rock, and Tyris Flare retained fire magic with new animations. Ax Battler now has longer reach with his weapon than Tyris and can throw enemies higher and further. Cosmetic changes include a shoulder guard for Ax Battler and black gauntlets for Gilius Thunderhead. Between levels, a rating is awarded based on performance, with a final rating at the end.
Plot
A few years after the defeat of Death Adder, the tyrant Dark Guld is released from ancient imprisonment. Joined by his loyal clan, Guld lays waste to countries across Yuria and gains possession of the Golden Axe. Ax Battler, Tyris Flare, and Gilius Thunderhead, who previously defeated Death Adder, journey to defeat Guld. After traveling and dispatching followers, they arrive at Guld's castle and storm its gates. In the throne room, they duel Dark Guld, who uses the Golden Axe to enhance his strength. The trio defeats him, ushering in a new era of peace.
Release
Golden Axe II first appeared on the Sega Mega-Tech arcade system, a cabinet that runs a selection of Genesis games. It later joined the first and third entries in the series on the compilation Sega Genesis Collection for PlayStation 2 and PSP, known in Europe as Sega Mega Drive Collection. The Wii Virtual Console added the title on June 11, 2007, and it also became playable through GameTap and iTunes. On June 1, 2010, the entire Golden Axe trilogy arrived on Steam as part of Sega Mega Drive and Genesis Classics. The Sega Genesis Classics collection, which launched on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC on June 29, 2018, included the game, with a Nintendo Switch version following in December of that year. Finally, on December 15, 2022, it was re-released through the Nintendo Classics service.
Reception
Golden Axe II was generally well received by critics. In March 1992, Micom BASIC Magazine ranked it second in popularity. A Mega Drive Fan poll gave it a 20.95 out of 30, and a 1995 readers' poll in Japanese Sega Saturn Magazine awarded it a 7.2315 out of 10, placing it 253rd among Mega Drive games. Console XS noted the game was easier than the first. Mega Action called it bigger and better but said it didn't offer much new, concluding it was for those wanting more of the same. Scott Alan Marriott of AllGames observed that the graphics, sound, and options were nearly identical to the original, yet the game remained enjoyable. Mega ranked it 14th on its list of top Mega Drive games of all time. In 2017, GamesRadar placed it 34th on its best Sega Genesis/Mega Drive games list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who designed Golden Axe II?
Golden Axe II was designed by Kazuma Fujii.
Who composed the music for Golden Axe II?
The music for Golden Axe II was composed by Naofumi Hataya and Masafumi Ogata.
More in Beat 'em Ups of the 1990s
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