The leap to Golden Axe III is bigger than that of the first game to the second and it shows a lot of improvement in the gameplay category. The visuals are a different story.
Golden Axe II is a classic albeit stiff beat ’em up that more or less feels like a rehash of the first game. The refinements make it more enjoyable.
Golden Axe is a product of its time but it’s a classic and an inspiration for others of its kind.