I terraced mine because a single wall would have been to tall, and it does give it more of an architectural look.
Plus dealing with building such a tall wall would have probably required machinery. We built it with Ibuprofen and beer. Lots of both.
We inquired about pulling it down should it get real bad, but the cost just for block material is to much to think about. And personally I think to much block looks to sterile. The right amount is a very classy looking.
But I agree, a two foot wall can be about anything. Just make it blend with the surroundings. The far end of my pool is a two foot high, two brick thick reatainer with a wood fence on top. The rest is only about one foot. This brick matches the foundation of the house and garage. The tie wall was just the best, (I won't say easiest) to retain such a long and tall hill.