Golden Axe II (MD, 1991)
Graphics-7 Sound-7.5 Control-7 Challenge-7.5
Level Design-6.5 Frustration-7.5 Fun-7/6* Originality-5
Overall Score-7
*1-player
+
Somewhat improved controls
Ominous and dark atmosphere
2-player (co-op and duel modes)
Difficulty options
Monster mounts
Nice magic attacks overall
Three different characters (different magic, speed and strength)
Pits to throw enemies into
+/-
Limited continues
All magic is smart bomb-style
Easy to make the AI walk into pits (it is pretty amusing though)
Can’t use magic while being hit or getting up
"BLEH!" (even skeletons!)
The screen scrolls much slower than you can run
-
Very similar to the prequel
Repetitive (overly resilient enemies with simple patterns, enemies ending up at the edge of the screen so you have to wait for them to move forward, palette swaps)
Short
The blue imps got replaced by lame wizards
Lack of advanced combos
No enemy HP bars
Can't change character after losing a credit
Resting/unmounted mounts will run away after 10 seconds or so (annoying if they're at the edge of the screen where you can't mount them)
No dragon mount
Can’t jump on the z-plane
Tyris’s back attack can be canceled out by some enemies
Level Design-6.5 Frustration-7.5 Fun-7/6* Originality-5
Overall Score-7
*1-player
+
Somewhat improved controls
Ominous and dark atmosphere
2-player (co-op and duel modes)
Difficulty options
Monster mounts
Nice magic attacks overall
Three different characters (different magic, speed and strength)
Pits to throw enemies into
+/-
Limited continues
All magic is smart bomb-style
Easy to make the AI walk into pits (it is pretty amusing though)
Can’t use magic while being hit or getting up
"BLEH!" (even skeletons!)
The screen scrolls much slower than you can run
-
Very similar to the prequel
Repetitive (overly resilient enemies with simple patterns, enemies ending up at the edge of the screen so you have to wait for them to move forward, palette swaps)
Short
The blue imps got replaced by lame wizards
Lack of advanced combos
No enemy HP bars
Can't change character after losing a credit
Resting/unmounted mounts will run away after 10 seconds or so (annoying if they're at the edge of the screen where you can't mount them)
No dragon mount
Can’t jump on the z-plane
Tyris’s back attack can be canceled out by some enemies