Golden Axe II Review

Walking down memory lane is something that we've all done with a sense of glee. Sega appreciates this and has done a fantastic job of converting some true classics to the iOS devices such as Sonic, Streets of Rage and Golden Axe. So it makes sense to see Golden Axe 2 appear as well, and what a fine conversion it is.

The gameplay is the same as ever. Players choose one of three fighters (a barbarian man, Amazonian woman and a dwarf) then hack and slash their way through the seven levels on offer. It'll only take a couple of hours to complete admittedly but they're an enjoyable couple of hours. A virtual d-pad and buttons dictate the action and it's easy to control throughout. One button jumps, another slashes and the third unleashes the special magical attack that can be built up by collecting magic potions. At the end of each stage, you come across a form of boss battle which adds a bit more of a challenge. You can also hop on some mounts in order to have an extra edge in battle.

It's all simple enough and certainly indicative of its early 1990s origins but there's still an addictive quality to it. The original release was most enjoyable when played alongside another player. Fortunately you can still do that here with multiplayer available through bluetooth connectivity.

Golden Axe 2 is showing its age a little now at nearly 20 years but it's still fun. If you've never played the title before then $3 might feel a little steep for only a few hours of fun, but if you've been here before, you'll just be so pleased that your memories weren't just rose tinted, they were the truth. It's a retro classic you'll be pleased to have in your collection.