Golden Axe (Sega Genesis)

Difficulty: ***1/2
Controls: ***1/2
Sound: ***
Graphics: ***1/2
Overall: 13 1/2 stars out of 20

Death Adder has kidnapped the King and Princess of Yuria! You select one of the three heroes; Gillius the Dwarf, Ax Battler the barbarian and Tyris the Amazon. Each one has a motive for wanting to set Death Adder's head on a pike, so get at it!

There are a few tricks that will help you stay alive in Golden Axe. First and foremost never lining yourself up with an enemy that is far away. It will always charge at you. And letting the dinosaur escape instead of riding it (most of the time your just a big target if you get on).

Also using the various pits in the game will be an energy and time saver (chuck those punks in there!) the game sports a few difficulty modes (beginner and arcade), and you even get ranked on how well you played when the game ends (super!). In the later levels the skeletons will be your worst nightmare. They are numerous and hit hard. Having a buddy play along with you will definitely help!

The controls are spot on. The default setting has the 'A' button using magic, the 'B' button uses your weapon and the 'C' button jumps. B+C will have you doing a back attack and double tapping the left or right key will make you run. In the latter levels (the inner sanctum of Death Adder) there are some tricky jumping parts.

Golden Axe has some varied music. The opening tune definitely gets you pumped up to beat the hell out of anyone who gets in your way! The map music is also pleasant to hear. Some sound effects are better than others. Swinging your weapon wildly sounds awful. But when you actually connect it sounds great. The added bonus of death cries as you slay Death Adder's horde is also sweet.

The game keeps its high fantasy feel although some of the backgrounds are muddy looking. However Turtle village looks good. There are various shapes and sizes of the enemy sprites but for the most part they're just colour swaps (skeletons) You also get to ride some awesome looking dinosaurs! Some of the moves you perform (notably the throw) just look awkward. You also get treated to a nice animation whenever you use magic (each character has they're own unique animations!) big thumbs up there.

Overall if you have a Sega Genesis grab this game. Its two player co-op, head bashing fun. You won't be beating this game on your first try that's for sure! The controls while responsive could have used a block button. The sprites are good while most of the enemies are palette swaps. There is some great variety in height and weight though (nice). The sounds and tunes are also top notch. I swear the death cries will never get old. Delve into Death Adder's dark castle. But will you leave with the King of Yuria and his beautiful princess? Or end up utterly destroyed?