Least likebut good
On the whole, Zelda II has a lot to offer. Fans will quickly note this is the only game in the series using a RPG-style level up system. Our hero is able to gain experience in 3 areas: magic, life, and attack, with the benefit of leveling up each area is pretty self explanatory. Through this system, Zelda II forces players to attack opponent in order to proceed further in the game. Much of the original game was spent avoiding opponents when confrontation was not needed, however this time around leveling up is necessary in order to gain new spells and tackle more powerful enemies later in the game.
While this system adds a level of skill to the game, it lacks in one rather annoying area. Each character attribute in the game is preprogrammed to level up at a certain amount of experience, as a player you have no choice in the matter. This is particularly frustrating earlier in the game when your stats are forcefully limited, as well as later in the game when it takes a great deal of experience to level up.
Another major gripe I had with this game is how easy it is to die. While you are provided with a shield spell at the beginning of the game, cutting the damage you take by half, there are several areas of the game where it is near impossible to avoid being hit. Couple this with several automatic kill environmental areas, like lava and water (or just blue lava? I've never been too sure), and you'll quickly find you've wasted your stockpile of lives on one screen in a matter of minutes. Fans of the series will note this is also the only Zelda game to feature "lives," giving you several tries at the same screen before presenting you with a Game Over. In the event you do get a Game Over, you will be sent all the way back to Zelda's palace at the beginning of the game. This is easily the most aggravating part of the game, since you now have to cross the entire world to get back to the Temple/Palace where you were killed, not to mention get all the way back to the area of the level in question where you a likely to die again several times.
Weaknesses aside, Zelda II is a great game. The combat system offered in this game provides players with some unique fighting techniques like the upward slash, and my personal favorite, the downward stab. Watching Link bounce of multiple enemies in succession while stabbing them in the head is always fun, no matter what anyone says. Sparing with the many shielded enemies in the game is quite challenging, I lost many lives to the orange knights in the first Palace, but the thrill of destroying them is well worth the trouble.
The varying spells supplied in this game are interesting at very least, even if you'll only use some of them once (for example the "Spell" spell). The Shield spell and the Jump spell were used often during my quest, while others like the Fire spell were used a bit more sparingly.
The music in this game is also well suited. While there isn't a lot of variety (probably only 4 or 5 tracks in the entire game) each score is perfectly matched to the feeling intended for the space. Sounds effects are solid as well; I've always loved the sound each enemy makes after succumbing to death. Very satisfying.
The graphics in this game are fairly good by NES standards, although level textures are pretty bland. That being said, you don't play NES games to be wowed by visuals. Each town, cave, or level is well designed, and enemies are animated very well (especially bosses).
Overall this game was a lot of fun to play. Of course, you have to keep in mind that a lot of "refinements" in gaming had not yet been perfected when this game was released. As such, you may need to check with a guide or FAQ a few times when you get stuck since there is often no indication where to find certain quest items or how to complete certain tasks; Zelda fans will clearly remember stabbing under a random table to find the lost mirror early in the game.
Bottom line; this game has its frustrations, but is well worth your time to play.