Golden Axe II is a great game for multiplayer fun. It is improved from the original in several ways including being able to attack both behind and in front of the player with one move. The graphics are a lot better and the attack range has improved. The there is a more variety of enemies with varying difficulties and better stage layout. It's not as easy to fall to your death accidentally in this game. The life bar takes more damage to go down than in the orignal as well. The powers can be used at different levels depending on how the player wants it. In the original, when you use the magic, it was all used up.