I. Game Background
1.1 World Setting
In the ancient land of Yuria, the eternal struggle between light and darkness rages on. Legend tells of a powerful artifact known as the "Golden Axe", sealed deep within the continent, waiting for a true hero to awaken its power. This axe, imbued with the essence of an ancient dragon god, is the only weapon capable of vanquishing ultimate evil.
The original Golden Axe told the story of three heroes—the barbarian Ax Battler, the Amazon Tyris Flare, and the dwarf Gilius Thunderhead—who united to defeat the tyrant Death Adder, reclaimed the Golden Axe, and brought peace to Yuria. However, evil is never truly eradicated.
In Golden Axe II, the forces of darkness return. Though Death Adder was defeated, his bloodline lives on. His more powerful brother, Dark Guld, has inherited his wicked will and led a new dark legion across the land. Dark Guld possesses power far beyond that of Death Adder and has mastered forbidden dark magic. He has seized fragments of the Golden Axe, attempting to use its power to open a gateway to a dark dimension and summon an ancient god of chaos to the mortal realm.
Once again, the three heroes are forced to embark on a perilous journey. But this time, they must face not only stronger enemies but also the shadows within themselves—the power of the Golden Axe is beginning to corrupt the souls of those who wield it. The heroes must find a way to defeat Dark Guld without being consumed by the very power they seek to protect.
1.2 Development History
Golden Axe II was developed and published by Sega in 1991. It was an exclusive title for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis and was not a port of an arcade game—marking the first time the series was developed without an arcade original as its foundation. This decision was controversial at the time: while the Mega Drive's massive install base made an exclusive sequel a strong system-seller, hardcore fans accustomed to the arcade originals feared a "watered-down" experience.
The development team was led by series creator Makoto Uchida. Although Uchida did not serve as the direct director for the sequel, his design philosophy deeply influenced the project. Compared to the original, Golden Axe II achieved significant technical progress: more enemies on screen, more elaborate magic effects, and doubled character animation frames—all thanks to the team's deep optimization of the Mega Drive hardware. Sega's own Yamaha YM2612 audio chip also contributed a stellar FM-synthesized soundtrack.
Golden Axe II was released in Japan in December 1991, followed by North American and European releases. While it never officially hit arcades (versions running on modern emulators like fbneo are typically achieved via Mega Drive emulation), the game's quality and feel rival any arcade beat 'em up. At the time, Golden Axe II and the Streets of Rage series were considered the finest beat 'em ups on the Mega Drive, and it remains a must-play for retro gaming enthusiasts today.
II. Character Profiles
Ax Battler
Barbarian Warrior, Wielder of the Golden Axe
| Attribute | Rating | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | ★★★★★ | Highest physical attack power |
| Speed | ★★ | Slower movement and attack startup |
| Magic | ★★ | Earth-based; consumes many pots |
| Range | ★★★ | Above average; wide sword sweep |
| Difficulty | ★★★ | Beginner-friendly, but requires rhythm |
Pros:
- Highest attack power; defeats standard grunts in 2-3 hits
- Wide sword sweep is excellent for crowd control
- High-damage throws; can chain attacks after grabbing enemies
- Dash jump-slash is a classic beat 'em up move
Cons:
- Slow movement speed; struggles to chase agile enemies
- Long attack recovery; vulnerable to counter-attacks if a combo misses
- High-level magic requires a large number of pots
Verdict: The series protagonist, a balanced warrior. His sword speed is faster than in the original, with better combo flow. Ideal for players who enjoy close-quarters combat; the most "authentic" way to experience the Golden Axe series.
Tyris Flare
Amazon Queen of Fire
| Attribute | Rating | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | ★★★ | Moderate physical attack |
| Speed | ★★★★ | Agile movement and fast attacks |
| Magic | ★★★★★ | Most powerful fire magic in the game |
| Range | ★★★ | Short-to-mid range, but rich combos |
| Difficulty | ★★ | Easiest character to pick up |
Pros:
- Most powerful magic—unrivaled screen-clearing fire damage
- Fast and agile movement
- Smoothest combos with excellent feel and rhythm
- High magic pot efficiency (deals more damage per pot)
Cons:
- Lower physical attack damage
- Less efficient than Ax when dueling high-HP bosses
- Slightly lower durability (though the difference is minor)
Verdict: The strongest magic user in the series. Her screen-clearing fire magic—summoning a massive fire dragon—is one of the most iconic visuals in the Golden Axe series. The best choice for beginners; her magic can compensate for any lack of manual dexterity.
Gilius Thunderhead
Dwarf Warrior, Wielder of Thunder
| Attribute | Rating | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | ★★★★ | High axe attack power |
| Speed | ★★ | Slowest movement |
| Magic | ★★★★ | Lightning-based; high single-target damage |
| Range | ★★★ | Short range due to dwarf stature |
| Difficulty | ★★★★ | Requires precise positioning to offset speed |
Pros:
- Physical attack second only to Ax; high single-hit axe damage
- Lightning magic deals bonus damage to large bosses
- Coolest throw animation (riding on the enemy's head and hammering them)
- Small stature allows him to duck under certain high-altitude attacks (rarely)
Cons:
- Slowest movement speed; difficult to reposition quickly
- Short attack range; easily interrupted in crowd fights
- Magic pot management is more demanding
Verdict: Suited for skilled players seeking a challenge. In the right hands, Gilius can output the highest single-target DPS in the game—his lightning magic combined with axe strikes can melt boss health bars. However, his lack of speed requires precise positioning.
III. Controls
3.1 Basic Controls
| Action | Key | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Move | ↑↓←→ (WASD) | 8-way movement (with depth) |
| Attack | A (J) | Normal attack; press repeatedly for combos |
| Jump | B (K) | Jump; can attack in mid-air |
| Magic | A+B | Consume magic pots to cast magic |
| Throw | Auto | Automatically grab enemies to attack or throw |
| Dash | Double-tap direction | Dash, followed by jump-slash or tackle |
| Coin | Shift | Start game or continue |
| Start | Enter | Confirm selection or start game |
3.2 Universal Moves
| Command | Effect |
|---|---|
| Combo (AAAA) | 4-hit for Ax/Tyris, 3-hit for Gilius |
| Jump Attack (B then A) | Mid-air attack; knocks down standing enemies |
| Dash Jump-Slash (→→B then A) | High-damage dash attack with wide range |
| Crouch Attack (↓+A) | Attacks downed or low-profile enemies |
| Turn-around Slash (Back+A) | Attacks enemies approaching from behind |
| Throw Combo | Press A to strike after grab, B to throw |
| Magic (A+B) | Magic level depends on pot count |
3.3 Magic System Explained
The magic system in Golden Axe II is based on the number of Magic Pots collected:
| Magic Level | Pots Required | Ax Battler | Tyris Flare | Gilius Thunderhead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 1-2 | Small Earth | Small Fireball | Small Lightning |
| Level 2 | 3-4 | Earth Quake | Fire Storm | Lightning Shock |
| Level 3 | 5-7 | Volcano | Fire Dragon | Thunder Strike |
| Level 4 | 8-10 | Wrath of God | Inferno | Divine Judgment |
Magic pots are carried by "Magic Thieves" (little blue gnomes) who appear in night scenes. They steal your pots and scurry between camps. Defeating them in camp drops a large number of pots, which is key to accumulating high-level magic. Strategy: Save your pots for higher levels; the effect is far superior to spamming low-level magic.
IV. Stages and Boss Guide
Stage 1: Ravaged Village
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Setting | A village swept by Dark Guld's army; burning houses, scattered bodies, and broken fences create a desperate scene |
| Boss | Dark Gora—A dark barbarian wielding a giant mace; the vanguard general of Dark Guld |
| Strategy | As an introductory boss, Dark Gora's patterns are simple but heavy. His mace swing has a clear wind-up (raise→rotate→smash); retreat when you see him raise it. Use jump attacks to avoid his low sweep, then punish him during his recovery. Tyris's Level 2 fire magic makes short work of him |
Stage 2: Dark Forest
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Setting | A cursed dense forest where eerie purple light seeps through the trees; mutated beasts and skeleton warriors lurk in the brush |
| Boss | Bonespawn—An undead knight riding a skeletal horse, wielding a cursed spear |
| Strategy | The main threat is his charge—he accelerates suddenly, covering most of the screen. The best strategy is to stay on the same horizontal plane and face him, using a jump attack to interrupt his charge. Once the horse is defeated, he fights on foot with reduced range but the same speed |
Stage 3: Ancient Temple
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Setting | An ancient temple of Yuria with walls carved with dragons and heroes. A giant Golden Axe statue stands in the center |
| Boss | Zak & Rak—Temple guardians; two gargoyles attacking simultaneously |
| Strategy | A dual-boss fight! Zak (red) focuses on melee, Rak (blue) on ranged projectiles. They alternate—when one attacks, the other usually charges. Prioritize the blue ranged one as it will constantly harass you. Use dash attacks to switch positions between them. If you have Level 3 magic (5-7 pots), one screen-clear can severely damage both |
Stage 4: Dragon Spine Mountains
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Setting | Towering stone mountains with bottomless abysses on both sides. Fossilized dragon bones embedded in the rock walls serve as a grim reminder |
| Boss | Dragon Caller—Dark Guld's dark mage, capable of summoning dragon souls |
| Strategy | This boss rides a floating platform. He summons three dragon souls to harass you while firing tracking dark projectiles. Clear the souls first (they respawn, but it takes time), then focus on the mage. Gilius's lightning magic deals bonus damage to floating targets |
Stage 5: Dark Guld's Castle
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Setting | Dark Guld's lair—a terrifying castle made of obsidian and bone. Magma seeps from cracks, and imprisoned souls wail in iron cages |
| Boss | Dark Guld—The final boss, brother of Death Adder and agent of the dark dimension |
| Strategy | Two phases. Phase 1: Humanoid warrior with a dark Golden Axe; fast 3-hit combos and dark shockwaves. At 50% HP, he enters Phase 2: Absorbs dark energy, grows giant, and gains screen-wide earthquakes and shadow clones. The key to Phase 2 is to punish his recovery after the earthquake. Tyris's Level 4 fire dragon magic is the best weapon here |
V. Tips and Advanced Strategy
5.1 Survival Tips
- Use Depth: Golden Axe II uses a pseudo-3D system—moving up and down changes your position on the battlefield. Use this to dodge linear attacks.
- Always Face the Enemy: Characters auto-face the nearest enemy, but manual adjustment prevents backstabs.
- End Combos with Jump Attacks: Finish your 4-hit combo with a jump attack to knock enemies down and create space.
- Don't Stand Still: Even if your damage is high, don't stay in one spot for more than 2 seconds—enemies will flank you.
- Prioritize Magic for Magic Users: In co-op, let Tyris collect the pots—her magic efficiency is the highest.
- Blue Thieves are Targets: The blue magic thieves are resources, not threats. Chase them down to get pots.
5.2 Co-op Tactics
- Pincer Attack: One player distracts the boss while the other attacks from behind.
- Chain Throws: One player grabs an enemy, the other waits to catch the thrown enemy in mid-air for a second throw.
- Shared Magic Pool: Magic pots are shared. Communicate before using magic.
- Rescue First: Don't be greedy for damage when a teammate is surrounded. A dash jump-slash can clear 3-4 enemies at once.
5.3 Boss Rules
- Read Wind-ups: Every boss has a tell (raising weapons, glowing, crouching). Learn them.
- Slow Turn Speed: Most bosses turn slowly. Get behind them for 1-2 full combos.
- Don't Spam Magic: Magic is limited. Use it during the boss's recovery period after a big attack for maximum impact.
- Jump Attacks Break Lows: Many boss low-attacks (sweeps, tackles) can be interrupted by mid-air attacks.
5.4 Advanced Trivia
- No Mounts: Unlike the original, you cannot ride beasts (dragons, mantises). This was a design choice to emphasize character differences.
- Hidden Items: Break barrels and crates for food (HP) or gold (score).
- Difficulty Affects Ending: Higher difficulties show extra ending scenes. Using "Continues" trims the ending.
- Magic Glow: When you have 10 pots, your character glows—a purely visual easter egg.
- Stereo Sound: Mega Drive stereo helps you hear which side enemies are approaching from.
