I liked the first game because it actually had something to do with an AXE. The second game, while it was fun, and for the record, DID allow you to get an axe, wasn't centered around it. Besides, the first game had a nice colorful jungle atmosphere with awesome tribal music and the axe power meter was a nice touch. The second game did have a power meter but seemed too shortcoming since you could max it with a few powerups rather than powering up your weapon a little bit each more by the level. Finally, the final level in Legendary Axe II was a total bitch to complete. The tractor beams pissed me off to no end.
I'd take the temple maze anyday in LEI than the f*cking spaceship(?) in LEII.