Crossed Swords II is a fantasy hack-and-slash action role-playing game developed and published by ADK for the Neo Geo CD. It was released in Japan on 2 May 1995 and serves as the direct sequel to Crossed Swords, the 1991 arcade game developed by Alpha Denshi and published by SNK. Unlike the first game, Crossed Swords II was made specifically for the Neo Geo CD and did not receive an official Neo Geo MVS arcade or AES cartridge release at the time. That gives it a slightly different place in the series, as it was not simply a home conversion but a purpose-built follow-up that expanded the original’s unusual approach to first-person-style sword combat.

The story takes place after the events of the first Crossed Swords. The kingdom of Belkana is once again threatened when the demon warlord Nausizz returns from the underworld, with his castle rising again and his monstrous forces spreading chaos across the land. Rather than following a single unnamed knight, the sequel allows players to choose from three adventurers, each with different strengths and weaknesses. This gives the journey a stronger sense of identity, while still keeping the narrative simple and direct. The focus remains on the heroic quest to defeat Nausizz and restore peace, but the broader setup helps make the sequel feel more developed than the original.

Gameplay builds on the distinctive structure of the first game, placing the player behind a visible weapon and shield while enemies advance from the distance. Combat revolves around sword strikes, blocking, magic and careful timing, with players needing to watch enemy movements before deciding when to defend or counterattack. Crossed Swords II adds more variety through its three selectable characters, experience points, levelling, shops and new movement options such as jumping and dashing. These additions make the game feel more flexible than its predecessor, as players can build strength over time, buy recovery items or magic, and make better use of movement to avoid attacks. Two-player cooperative play also returns, allowing both players to fight through the adventure together.

Presentation remains one of the game’s most distinctive qualities. The first-person-style perspective creates a strong sense of depth, while enemies loom larger as they approach the front of the screen. The fantasy setting allows for a wide range of monsters, warriors and boss designs, and the sequel benefits from a more polished look than the original. The soundtrack was composed by Hideki Yamamoto, Hiroaki Shimizu and Yuka Watanabe, giving the game a dramatic audio backdrop suited to its medieval fantasy tone. The Neo Geo CD format also allows the music to have a fuller presence, with sword clashes, shield blocks, magic effects and boss encounters helping to build atmosphere throughout the adventure.

Reception to Crossed Swords II has generally been positive among those who have played it, although its limited release meant it did not achieve the wider recognition of many arcade-derived Neo Geo titles. Later coverage has often treated it as one of the more interesting Neo Geo CD exclusives, with praise for how it expands the first game’s formula through selectable characters, levelling and improved movement. It is still a fairly unusual experience, and its deliberate combat rhythm can feel stiff to players expecting faster action, but that same structure gives it a clear identity. Looking back, Crossed Swords II is often seen as a stronger and more complete version of the original concept, remembered as a distinctive fantasy action RPG with cult appeal.

*Images courtesy of MobyGames

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