Format: Cartridge
Genre: Brawler
Developer: Sega
Publisher: Sega

Golden Axe II looks virtually identical to its predecessor; the stages are a bit dull, what with lots of muted browns and greens. These stages are populated by detailed and well animated character and baddie sprites however, some of which are quite memorable.

Audio in this title is significantly more crisp and sharp sounding-- sound effects especially-- and there is no doubt that the soundtrack is not just richer sounding, but also more melodic and catchy.

Golden Axe II's stages aren't quite as inventive as those in the original, but they are well paced and deliberately structured. Combat plays out exactly as in the original, except that throw direction can be controlled, and there is less potential to get frustratingly chain-attacked by multiple enemies at once.

For all intents and purposes, Golden Axe II is identical to its predecessor, with only minor improvements to the formula. While it's a solid brawler without doubt, it doesn't do enough to take the series forward, and was completely eclipsed by the revolutionary Streets of Rage 2 only a year after its release.