Golden Axe II

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Golden Axe II
Image:Golden Axe II Coverart.png
Developer(s) Sega
Publisher(s) Sega
Series Golden Axe
Platform(s) Mega Drive/Genesis, MegaPlay, Virtual Console
Release date USA December 26, 1991
JPN December 27, 1991
PAL 1992
Genre(s) Hack 'n' Slash, Arcade Action, Medieval / Fantasy
Mode(s) Single Player
2 Players Cooperative
Duel
Rating(s) Pre-Rating
Media 16 Bit Cartridge
Input methods 1-2 Players

Golden Axe II is a side-scrolling fighting game (or side-scrolling beat'em up) released for the Sega Mega Drive. It was released on December 26, 1991.[1] It is the home console sequel to the popular game Golden Axe, marking the second game in the series, though the arcade did see a sequel of its own called Golden_Axe:_The_Revenge_of_Death_Adder a few years later. Golden Axe II was only released on the Mega Drive, whilst the original was released on many other platforms.

The three playable characters from the first Golden Axe, Ax Battler, Tyris Flare, and Gillius Thunderhead, return in Golden Axe II to fight the new evil forces lead by Dark Guild. The game features a total of seven levels: six scrolling levels and a final end of game boss battle against Dark Guild.

Contents

[edit] Gameplay

Golden Axe II is a side-scrolling arcade hack 'n' slash game, very similar to the previous Golden Axe. The player is given a choice of three fighters: a battle axe-wielding dwarf, Gilius Thunderhead; a barbarian, Ax Battler, wielding a two handed broadsword; and long-sword wielding Tyris Flare, an amazon. Each of the fighters has a unique magic which can be used at any time in the game to inflict damage upon enemies. Each player is given a set of life bars which are lost one by one if the player is hit.

There are two types of game modes, one is "The Duel" where players are pitted against enemies in one arena, battling one after the other and gradually getting more difficult. The other is normal mode, where players must navigate through different areas battling various enemies.

An example showing a players skill rating.
An example showing a players skill rating.

A rating system is implemented which gives the player a skill-rating between each area of the game, they are also given a final rating shown on a skill meter when they lose or complete the game.

Between each level a rating is awarded to the player(s) based on their performance, with a final rating awarded at the end of the game. A small exposition of the main story is also given.

[edit] Normal mode

Normal mode puts the player into the story of the game, where they must recover the golden axe from Dark Guild. The player must navigate through multiple areas until eventually they reach Dark Guild's castle. Each area ends with a boss where the player must battle a large group of enemies at once. Magic books are also gathered along the way allowing the player to increase their magic meter.

[edit] Duel mode

The duel mode consists of multiple rounds where the player must stand of an enemy, or a group. Every round is set in the same scenery.

[edit] Plot summary

Not long after the malign reign of the Death Adder has ended, another evil rises. The peace of the land has again been threatened, this time by 'Dark Guld', who was supposed to be imprisoned but apparently is not. He has instead now gotten his hands on the Golden Axe, and is using it for his own nasty purposes, and with his minions is causing much chaos.

So once more, Ax-Battler, the fierce barbarian; Tyris-Flare, the fearless Amazon; Gilius Thunderhead, the ferocious dwarf, rise up to deal with the oppression, with their might and magic, and recover the Golden Axe.

[edit] Reception

Upon release, opinion was split over whether the game was superior to the original. Many critics felt the game was a rehash of the original, citing very similar hack and slash gameplay and little improvement over the first game. Another criticism was that it was easier to beat than the original (setting the game to hard mode restores the challenge). Others felt that the game's small changes made it a more refined and enjoyable experience.

Recently, the game has been made available on the compilation for Playstation 2 and PlayStation Portable known in the U.S. as Sega Genesis Collection and in Europe as Sega Megadrive Collection, along with many other Genesis/Mega Drive titles (including both Mega Drive/Genesis prequel and sequel). On June 11, 2007 the title was added to the Wii Virtual Console. Its also available on GameTap.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Golden Axe II for GEN - Golden Axe II Genesis - Golden Axe II GEN Game. Gamespot.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-01.
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