Difference between revisions of "Golden Axe"

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'''''Golden Axe''''' is a fantasy beat-em-up by [[Sega]], originally released for the arcade in 1989, but then ported to many other platforms. This was the first title in the series which has spawned several more games.
 
'''''Golden Axe''''' is a fantasy beat-em-up by [[Sega]], originally released for the arcade in 1989, but then ported to many other platforms. This was the first title in the series which has spawned several more games.
  
I was in awe of the game when I first saw it because I loved high fantasy movies, but as I quickly learned how unfair the game is, I became disenchanted.
+
I was in awe of the game when I first saw it in the arcades in the late 1980s because I loved high fantasy movies. Tyris' fantastic fire spirit magic in the attract was amazing. However, after playing the game, I learned how unfair it is, and I became disenchanted.
  
 
==Status==
 
==Status==
I have beaten the game on the Genesis arcade mode at hard difficulty with a strength of 62.9.
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I have beaten the game on the [[Genesis]] arcade mode at hard difficulty with a strength of 62.9.
  
 
==Review==
 
==Review==
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===Bad===
 
===Bad===
 
* Player control isn't too great. Players are left with only a few means of attack (weapon, charge, jump-attack, and roll) and evasion (walk, run, jump), some of which are difficult to pull off.
 
* Player control isn't too great. Players are left with only a few means of attack (weapon, charge, jump-attack, and roll) and evasion (walk, run, jump), some of which are difficult to pull off.
* Becoming good at the game requires you to play it non-thematically. Using the simple weapon-swinging attack will get you surrounded and killed pretty quickly, so you have to rely heavily on the roll, charge, and jump attacks. it look silly more of a "press the right buttons at the right time" type of game than a heroic adventure.
+
* Becoming good at the game requires you to play it non-thematically. Using the simple weapon-swinging attack will get you surrounded and killed pretty quickly, so you have to rely heavily on the roll, charge, and jump attacks. This makes the game look silly and seem like more of a "press the right buttons at the right time" type of game than a heroic adventure.
 
* The Genesis version takes a hit on the graphics and sound, but it mercifully allows you to add more health. The ending is a bit worse too, lacking the funny run through the arcade, but it's nice to see the cast and credits.
 
* The Genesis version takes a hit on the graphics and sound, but it mercifully allows you to add more health. The ending is a bit worse too, lacking the funny run through the arcade, but it's nice to see the cast and credits.
 
* The final boss fight in the Genesis port is a pain in the ass. Two invincible skeletons and Death Bringer, who can cast unlimited spells. It basically requires you to hop around like mad trying to whack everyone to the ground before another spell goes off.
 
* The final boss fight in the Genesis port is a pain in the ass. Two invincible skeletons and Death Bringer, who can cast unlimited spells. It basically requires you to hop around like mad trying to whack everyone to the ground before another spell goes off.
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Golden Axe - ARC - USA.jpg|Arcade cabinet, North America. Just looks like clip art.
 
Golden Axe - ARC - USA.jpg|Arcade cabinet, North America. Just looks like clip art.
 
Golden Axe - GEN - USA.jpg|Genesis, Japan & North America. The layout is great, but the characters are all a little odd looking, and none of them match the game.
 
Golden Axe - GEN - USA.jpg|Genesis, Japan & North America. The layout is great, but the characters are all a little odd looking, and none of them match the game.
Golden Axe - GEN - EU.jpg|Mega Drive, Europe. Looks more like a warning posted for steroid abuse. One body builder has a little boy's head, the other has a wizened old man's head. At least they got the colors and weapons right.
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Golden Axe - GEN - EU.jpg|Mega Drive, Europe. Looks more like a warning posted for steroid abuse. One body builder has a little boy's head, the other has a wizened old man's head. At least they got the colors and weapons right. But damn, those blue bikini bottoms!
 
Golden Axe - AMI - EU.jpg|PCs, Europe. This one also has a good layout, but the people look messed up. The giant and the woman's axe is accurate, but Ax Battler has the face of a hard-boiled detective.
 
Golden Axe - AMI - EU.jpg|PCs, Europe. This one also has a good layout, but the people look messed up. The giant and the woman's axe is accurate, but Ax Battler has the face of a hard-boiled detective.
Golden Axe - DOS - USA.jpg|PCs, America. First of all, that's a halberd, not an axe, second, the barbarian doesn't use it, third, why does he have a kid's drawings on his pecks?
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Golden Axe - DOS - USA.jpg|PCs, America. First of all, that's not an axe, it's a halberd, second, the barbarian wields a sword, third, why did he let his kid draw bear claws on his pecks?
Golden Axe - SMS - EU.jpg|Master System, Europe. Seriously, what's up with his face?
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Golden Axe - SMS - EU.jpg|Master System, Europe. Seriously, what's up with his face? And of all the things to copy off the European Mega Drive cover, they went with the blue bikini bottom?
 
Golden Axe - PCCD - Japan.jpg|PC Engine CD, Japan. Probably the best cover because it doesn't have a horribly painted barbarian on it.
 
Golden Axe - PCCD - Japan.jpg|PC Engine CD, Japan. Probably the best cover because it doesn't have a horribly painted barbarian on it.
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
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==Gallery==
 
==Gallery==
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
 +
Golden Axe - ARC - Manual.pdf|Arcade manual.
 
Golden Axe - GEN - Manual.pdf|Genesis manual.
 
Golden Axe - GEN - Manual.pdf|Genesis manual.
 
Golden Axe - Fan Art.jpg|Fan art.
 
Golden Axe - Fan Art.jpg|Fan art.
 +
Golden Axe - Deimos-Remus - Fan Art.jpg|Fan art by Deimos-Remus.
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
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[[Category: Video Games]]
 
[[Category: Video Games]]
 
[[Category: Action]]
 
[[Category: Action]]
 +
[[Category: Beat-Em-Up]]
 +
[[Category: Fantasy]]
 
[[Category: Beat-Em-Up]]
 
[[Category: Beat-Em-Up]]
 
[[Category: Games I've Beaten]]
 
[[Category: Games I've Beaten]]

Revision as of 16:28, 11 September 2017

North American Genesis box.

Golden Axe is a fantasy beat-em-up by Sega, originally released for the arcade in 1989, but then ported to many other platforms. This was the first title in the series which has spawned several more games.

I was in awe of the game when I first saw it in the arcades in the late 1980s because I loved high fantasy movies. Tyris' fantastic fire spirit magic in the attract was amazing. However, after playing the game, I learned how unfair it is, and I became disenchanted.

Status

I have beaten the game on the Genesis arcade mode at hard difficulty with a strength of 62.9.

Review

  • Overall: 3/10
  • Best Version: Arcade

Good

  • For the time, the backgrounds are very detailed and attractive, the sprites are well-drawn and animated, the music is memorable, and the sound effects are great, especially the screams.
  • The added graphics for beating up enemies (cracking them over the head, kicking them, tossing them, etc.) is a nice addition.
  • The magic animations are amazing!
  • Letting the player knock enemies off their dragons and steal them was a great addition.
  • I find joy in kicking the gnomes to steal their magic and food.
  • The game's ending is hilariously cheesy.
  • The Genesis port adds an additional final level after you defeat Death Adder.

Bad

  • Player control isn't too great. Players are left with only a few means of attack (weapon, charge, jump-attack, and roll) and evasion (walk, run, jump), some of which are difficult to pull off.
  • Becoming good at the game requires you to play it non-thematically. Using the simple weapon-swinging attack will get you surrounded and killed pretty quickly, so you have to rely heavily on the roll, charge, and jump attacks. This makes the game look silly and seem like more of a "press the right buttons at the right time" type of game than a heroic adventure.
  • The Genesis version takes a hit on the graphics and sound, but it mercifully allows you to add more health. The ending is a bit worse too, lacking the funny run through the arcade, but it's nice to see the cast and credits.
  • The final boss fight in the Genesis port is a pain in the ass. Two invincible skeletons and Death Bringer, who can cast unlimited spells. It basically requires you to hop around like mad trying to whack everyone to the ground before another spell goes off.
  • None of the releases have decent box art.
  • Ax Battler has a stupid name.

Ugly

  • Enemies unfairly have an attack advantage over the player when they first stand up, or when the player is knocked down. This was no doubt added to make the game harder to require more quarters to win, but it results in a great deal of frustration for the player who wants to beat the game fairly.

Box Art

Gallery

Links