A Capcom action-RPG where you play a gargoyle in a dark and crafted universe. Satisfying progression, original flight mechanics. Well above average. A game to discover.
Your verdict
Category
Adventure1 player12+
Description
Action-adventure featuring Firebrand the red demon exploring demonic lands to defeat Lord Arthur. Published by Capcom, released in the USA in 1992. Firebrand in side-scrolling view flying and clinging to walls, varied Ghost'n Goblins saga levels and imposing bosses. Sequel to the Game Boy Gargoyle's Quest on NES.
Gargoyle's Quest II review
4/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Striking"
4/5
Music
★★★★★
"Excellent"
3/5
Story
★★★★★
"Solid"
Capcom makes the winged demon a hero in his own right, drawn with horns, a tail and wings that spread out at every hover. The demon world alternates an overhead exploration map, villages peopled with creatures and side-scrolling platform phases, each with its own graphic treatment and dark palette.
The accompaniment takes a dark, solemn tone, far removed from the usual energy of the studio's action games: melodies in a minor key, sustained bass, moderate tempos. The village themes bring a melancholy breathing space between crossings, and the battle pieces build tension without ever frankly accelerating.
North American edition of the Capcom sequel, valued well below the PAL release thanks to a far wider NTSC distribution. Interest shifts here toward the content itself: polished side-scrolling action, a playable Firebrand, a console extension of the Ghosts'n Goblins cast. Sought mainly by Capcom completists and fans of the Firebrand spin-off, the American copy offers an accessible entry point into this well-regarded sequel.
An underrated gem
A prequel to the adventures of Firebrand, the red demon from Ghosts'n Goblins, this Capcom title blends platforming, RPG-style exploration, and hovering flight in a polished gothic world. Confined to the NES while the genre shone elsewhere, it left little mark. A bold mix worth rediscovering for fans of offbeat action-adventure.
Is Gargoyle's Quest II still worth playing in 2026?
A Capcom action-adventure, Gargoyle's Quest II has you play the red demon Firebrand exploring demonic lands, blending demanding platforming, limited flight, combat and RPG phases with villages and progression. The genre blend, the careful gothic mood and the controlled difficulty make it a memorable title, a prequel to the Ghosts'n Goblins world. The stiff handling takes some adjustment. A gem to rediscover for fans of demanding NES action-platforming and retro gothic adventure.
