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Golden Axe

54%Game Brain Score
replayability
gameplay, music
82% User Score Based on 196 reviews
Critic Score 65%Based on 2 reviews

Platforms

Mac OSMac OSPCPCWindowsWindowsAmigaAmigaAmstrad CpcAmstrad CpcAtari StAtari StCommodore C64Commodore C64LinuxLinuxMs DosMs DosPlayStationPlayStationPlaystation 3Playstation 3Sega Mega DriveSega Mega DriveWiiWiiWonderswanWonderswanWonderswan ColorWonderswan ColorXboxXboxXbox 360Xbox 360Zx SpectrumZx Spectrum
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About

"Golden Axe" is a classic side-scrolling hack and slash game set in a fantasy world. Choose from three unique characters, each with their own set of skills and weapons, and fight your way through hordes of enemies to defeat the evil Death Adder. The game features co-op play, intense battles, and powerful magic abilities to aid you in your quest. Battle mythical creatures, collect power-ups, and experience a thrilling adventure in this iconic game.

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
Golden Axe screenshot
Golden Axe screenshot
Golden Axe screenshot
Golden Axe screenshot
Golden Axe screenshot
Golden Axe screenshot
Golden Axe screenshot
Golden Axe screenshot
Golden Axe screenshot
Golden Axe screenshot
Golden Axe screenshot

82%
Audience ScoreBased on 13 reviews
replayability3 positive mentions
stability3 negative mentions
  • The game includes a legally obtainable ROM, which is fantastic for fans of emulation.
  • Steam Workshop support allows for retro mods, enhancing the nostalgic experience.
  • The game features co-op support and quicksave functionality, adding to its accessibility and enjoyment.
  • There is no online multiplayer, which is misleading given the game's co-op and multiplayer claims.
  • The game can feel unbalanced, with certain characters being more effective than others.
  • The gameplay may be short and lacks depth, leading to limited replayability.
  • gameplay
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of Golden Axe is characterized by its initial difficulty, requiring players to master mechanics to progress, reminiscent of a classic "Dark Souls" experience. However, many users find it shallow with limited replayability and a brief overall experience.

    • “Some could say Golden Axe is the Dark Souls of the 80s; it's rather hard at the start and you end up dying a lot initially. However, once you figure out how to exploit the game's mechanics, it becomes an easy ride.”
    • “The gameplay is engaging and challenging, providing a rewarding experience as you learn and adapt to the mechanics.”
    • “The controls are responsive and intuitive, making it easy to pick up and play while still offering depth for those who want to master it.”
    • “The gameplay is shallow, lacking depth and replayability, and feels brief overall.”
    • “The timing recorded doesn't match the actual gameplay due to emulator issues.”
    • “Some might compare Golden Axe to a Dark Souls game from the 80s; it's quite challenging at the start, leading to frequent deaths, but once you learn to exploit the game's mechanics, it becomes much easier.”
  • music
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is consistently praised for its epic quality, a hallmark of Sega titles, and features fantastic retro compositions. Players also appreciate the option to access controls and a sound test to enjoy the music further.

    • “Though the music is still epic; that's a default state with Sega.”
    • “In options, you have access to controls and a sound test to listen to the music.”
    • “Some pretty fantastic retro music.”
    • “The music in the game feels repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged.”
    • “While there are options to adjust the sound, the overall quality of the music is disappointing.”
    • “The soundtrack doesn't match the game's atmosphere, which detracts from the overall experience.”
  • replayability
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is considered short, which limits its replayability, though the inclusion of different game modes may enhance it for some players. Overall, many reviewers find the gameplay shallow, contributing to a lack of incentive to replay.

    • “The game is rather short, especially if you are good at it; however, the different game modes may increase the replay value.”
    • “Each playthrough offers unique challenges and experiences, making you want to dive back in for more.”
    • “The variety of choices and outcomes keeps the game fresh, encouraging multiple runs to explore all possibilities.”
    • “The game is rather short, especially if you are good at it. The different game modes, however, may increase the replay value.”
    • “Shallow gameplay, no replayability, brief.”
  • stability
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Users report that the game experiences several glitches, particularly with the simple launcher, which affects overall stability.

    • “However, the simple launcher has its fair share of glitches as well.”
    • “The game frequently crashes, making it nearly unplayable at times.”
    • “I experienced constant lag and disconnections during gameplay.”
  • story
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of Golden Axe follows a trio of heroes—Ax Battler, Tyris Flare, and Gillius Thunderhead—who seek revenge against the villain Death Adder, who has brutally murdered their loved ones. The narrative centers on themes of vengeance and heroism as the characters embark on a quest to defeat this formidable foe.

    • “The plot of Golden Axe takes us on a journey with Ax Battler, the barbarian whose mother was massacred by Death Adder, Tyris Flare, the Amazon whose parents were murdered by Death Adder, and Gillius Thunderhead, the dwarf whose brother was killed by Death Adder.”
    • “The plot of Golden Axe takes us on a journey with Ax Battler, the barbarian, whose mother was massacred by Death Adder; Tyris Flare, the Amazon, whose parents were murdered by Death Adder; and Gillius Thunderhead, the dwarf, whose brother was killed by Death Adder.”
    • “The story is incredibly shallow and fails to engage the player, relying on tired tropes and clichés.”
    • “There is little to no character development, making it hard to care about the heroes or their quest.”

65%Critics’ scoreBased on 4 critic reviews

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