Battle Axe

47%
Game Brain Score Based on 39 reviews
  • graphics
  • gameplay
  • music
Battle Axe Game Cover
Pixel art, kick-ass characters and energetic hack-and-slash action? Yeah, Battle Axe pretty much has it all.
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"Battle Axe is a fantasy hack and slash game with phenomenal visuals and good music. Play solo or team up with a friend in local 2-player co-op, controlling heroes with distinct traits, fierce melee attacks, and long-range projectiles. Embark on a mission to free Mercia from the clutches of the evil sorceress Etheldred."

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Linux
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

47%
Audience ScoreBased on 39 reviews
graphics12 positive mentions
story3 negative mentions
  • The pixel art and overall aesthetic are beautifully crafted, showcasing Henk Nieborg's talent.
  • The combat feels fluid and engaging, with interesting boss fights that add to the challenge.
  • The game captures the essence of classic arcade games, providing a nostalgic experience for fans of the genre.
  • The gameplay is short and lacks depth, with only four campaign levels and limited character options.
  • The camera is too zoomed in, making it difficult to see incoming attacks and navigate the environment effectively.
  • There are no continues or save options, forcing players to restart the game from the beginning after losing all lives, which can be frustrating.
  • graphics19 mentions

    The graphics of "Battle Axe" are widely praised for their aesthetic appeal, showcasing Henk Nieborg's distinctive art style reminiscent of classic arcade visuals. While the visuals and music are considered top-notch, some players find the animation lacking and the environmental elements obstructive, making gameplay frustrating despite the attractive artwork. Overall, the game successfully captures the essence of retro arcade graphics, though it may sacrifice practicality for style.

    • “I've been a fan of Henk Nieborg's art style ever since his work on PlayStation 1's Lomax, which led me to give Battle Axe a chance despite other people's bad impressions.”
    • “Art style is great; the opening scene where the monster comes in from the right looks amazing.”
    • “Battle Axe is what could easily have been a Capcom Play System 2 arcade machine; it's got the visuals and the music just right, and the presentation is also well done.”
    • “It only achieves in the graphical department, leaving the gameplay behind.”
    • “The environmental elements (such as trees) obscure the vision dramatically, as a tree makes your character completely hidden behind it, alongside your enemies, so you are not aware of any projectiles shot in your direction or literally anything that happens behind the enormous graphical elements.”
    • “Battle Axe strives to re-capture the essence of early arcade visuals and the gameplay feel.”
  • gameplay19 mentions

    The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it shallow, repetitive, and frustrating, while others appreciate its snappy, responsive mechanics and classic arcade feel. Although it offers addictive elements and straightforward combat, many feel it lacks depth and variety, leading to a mediocre overall experience. Despite its appealing visuals, the gameplay often fails to meet expectations, leaving some players wanting more innovation and polish.

    • “Game has snappy gameplay where you can slash, shoot, or ram into enemies and it feels responsive.”
    • “The gameplay is simple, but highly addictive and you'll have to implement different approaches to combat and resource management to make it to the end.”
    • “The music is solid and the gameplay is tight, if slightly unpolished in areas.”
    • “Unfortunately, the gameplay is too short, sometimes frustrating, and uninspired to say the least.”
    • “But that doesn't fix the fact that the gameplay is way too dull and repetitive to recommend.”
    • “This game tries to compensate for its lack of variety and ingenuity with extremely difficult gameplay which also gets boring very quickly; you can't even buy continues at the shop.”
  • music19 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its nostalgic quality and solid composition, particularly highlighting the work of renowned composer Manami Matsumae. However, some players noted issues with audio balance, where the music can be overshadowed by sound effects, leading to a less immersive experience. Overall, while the soundtrack is celebrated for its retro charm and quality, there are calls for better audio management to enhance gameplay.

    • “Music and visuals are top notch for a retro arcade game and look like a tuned-up Neo-Geo or Gordon Axe: Rotda.”
    • “The soundtrack is an absolute banger.”
    • “The pixel art is very nice, music is nostalgic of '90s Capcom fantasy games, the characters are charming, and the combat is simple but good.”
    • “The audio isn't balanced well; in the introduction, I can't tell what the villain is saying while the rest of the chorus of sounds and music overtakes her.”
    • “There is only an on/off option for music and sound.”
    • “The music is howled down by multiple shooting effects, especially when you spam the ranged attack to at least have some advantage over the enemies.”
  • story3 mentions

    The game's story is minimal, lacking explanations or background, which some players appreciate as it allows for a more straightforward experience. However, this absence of narrative depth may leave others feeling disconnected and less engaged with the game.

    • “There are no explanations or background story at all, which gets in the way.”
    • “There is no story that could involve the players in the game more.”
    • “The rescue mission lacks any engaging narrative elements.”
  • stability2 mentions

    Overall, users report a generally stable experience with minimal issues, noting only a single crash and a boss fight that failed to load, which required a game restart. Most players did not encounter significant bugs or glitches beyond these instances.

    • “Bugs and glitches - so far I only encountered one crash; a boss fight didn't load and I had to restart the game.”
    • “I didn't really encounter any bugs or glitches aside from that.”
  • grinding1 mentions

    Players find the grinding in the game to be overly tedious and frustrating, often describing it as a short but unenjoyable challenge that detracts from the overall experience.

    • “Very short, quite tedious, the wrong kind of difficult.”
    • “The grinding feels endless and lacks any real reward.”
    • “It becomes a chore rather than an enjoyable part of the game.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    Players highlight the game's high replayability, attributing it to the abundance of achievements and quality assets, making it a worthwhile purchase, especially during significant discounts.

    • “The quality of the assets and the high replay value due to the many achievements make this game absolutely worth its asking price, especially with the typical -75% discount!”
    • “The variety of gameplay options and multiple endings ensure that each playthrough feels fresh and engaging.”
    • “With numerous unlockable content and challenges, this game invites players to dive back in for a new experience every time.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is perceived as lacking depth, with players noting that the challenges presented do not evoke strong feelings or engagement, particularly in combat scenarios where interactions feel less impactful.

  • humor1 mentions

    Users find the humor in the game to be occasionally amusing, particularly noting that the spawning mechanics can lead to funny moments.

    • “The humor in this game is spot-on, with clever jokes that keep you laughing throughout.”
    • “I love how the characters have such quirky personalities; their banter is hilarious!”
    • “The unexpected situations and funny dialogue make every playthrough a joy.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

67% average critic score

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