Golden Axe II

About Golden Axe II (Genesis)

Golden Axe II is a side-scrolling beat-‘em-up developed and published by Sega for the Sega Genesis. It launched in Japan on December 27, 1991 and in North America in January 1992, as the sequel to the 1989 original Golden Axe. Designer Kazuma Fujii led a team that kept the first game’s fantasy brawling intact while tightening combat and giving players more control over magic.

A few years after the warlord Death Adder was defeated, the tyrant Dark Guld escapes ancient imprisonment, seizes the legendary Golden Axe and lays waste to the land of Yuria. The three heroes who defeated Death Adder return: Ax Battler the barbarian, Tyris Flare the amazon and Gilius Thunderhead the dwarf. Their quest runs through villages, fortresses and burning battlefields toward a final duel with Dark Guld himself.

Detailed Gameplay

Golden Axe II is a stage-by-stage brawler: you walk right, defeat waves of enemies and fight a boss at the end of each stage.

Three heroes, three styles

• Ax Battler is the balanced fighter, with a long sword, solid reach and wind magic.
• Tyris Flare is the fastest hero, with fire magic and the largest magic meter for the biggest spells.
• Gilius Thunderhead is the toughest in close combat, with a wide axe swing and rock-based magic.

Melee combat and throws

• Standard attacks chain into combos, while jumping attacks strike enemies from above.
• Dash attacks close distance fast and knock lighter enemies off their feet.
• Grabbed enemies can be thrown into other foes, turning a crowd into a weapon.

Magic you control

• Magic is collected as scrolls from defeated magic users, building your spell meter.
• Unlike the first game, you can choose how much magic to unleash, saving a full blast for a boss.
• At full power, Tyris summons a huge dragon, Ax Battler calls a devastating storm and Gilius drops a rock slide.

Game Highlights

• The original trio returns: Ax Battler, Tyris Flare and Gilius Thunderhead each play distinctly, not just as palette swaps.
• Magic on your terms: Choosing spell strength adds real tactics to a genre built on button mashing.
• Beast riding chaos: Stealing a dragon mid-battle and turning it on its owner never gets old.
• A tighter sequel: Faster combat, new special moves and sharper stages refine the 1989 original.

Controls

On the Sega Genesis controller, the D-Pad moves your hero and three buttons handle attacks, jumps and magic. - D-Pad: Move your hero, climb and position for attacks in all directions. - A Button: Use magic, unleashing the spell level you have selected. - B Button: Attack with your weapon, and attack in the air for a jumping strike. - C Button: Jump, and combine with an attack for a diving or dashing strike. - Start Button: Pause the game and open options, including magic strength settings.

Tips and Strategies to Win

Golden Axe II punishes careless charges, so fight in small groups and save your power. - Isolate one enemy at a time at the screen edge instead of walking into the middle of a crowd. - Throw enemies into each other whenever possible, since thrown foes damage everyone they hit. - Save full magic for bosses and large waves, and use only small spells on single tough enemies. - Steal beasts quickly after knocking riders off, because a mounted enemy is far more dangerous than one on foot.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Do I need to play the first Golden Axe before Golden Axe II? A: No, Golden Axe II explains its story on its own: Dark Guld has seized the Golden Axe, and the three heroes return to stop him. Playing the original only adds background on Death Adder.

Q: How does magic work in Golden Axe II? A: You collect magic scrolls to fill your meter, then choose how much to spend when you cast. Small casts handle single enemies, while a full meter unleashes each hero’s most devastating spell.

Q: Can I play Golden Axe II online for free? A: Yes, you can play Golden Axe II online for free in your browser here, with no download or installation needed.