Golden Axe II: Stage 1 (Ax Battler, Normal)
8After the first Golden Axe, the series kinda split into two branches of sequels. Consider this the Sega Genesis sequel to the first game.
I feel like the sound has taken a bit of a hit in this game compared to the first (BLEH!), but in turn, it has a catchier soundtrack from one of Sonic CD's Japanese composers.
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So a few years after Death Adder, and subsequently Death Bringer were slain, a new arch-villain known as Dark Guld rose up from imprisonment to bring the world back into the brink of death. It is once again up to Ax Battler, Tyris Flare, and Gillius Thunderhead to bare their weapons and march against this tyrant and his endless army of evil to take back the Golden Axe he has stolen.
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Like in the first game, I'm playing as Ax, here. He's traded in his Earth magic for Wind magic. His weaker magic will involve tornadoes, but at full power, he can unleash a hurricane.
Speaking of magic, you have slightly better control of which level of magic you want to use. Just hold down the A button until you reach the level you want. You can get more magic by hitting around the wizards that try to fight you.
Besides that, this game mainly feels a lot like the first one.
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The first stage has you travel out of a pillaged village, fighting a bunch of crooks on the way. You can also still find mount beasts to use, if you want.
The boss of this stage is a Dogbeast. Watch out for his mace. That has an unfair amount of range above him if you're trying to jump attack him.
After words, you set up a campfire to rest. You can then knock around more wizards for more magic until they run away.