Golden Axe (MD, 1989)
Graphics-7 Sound-6.5 Control-6.5 Challenge-7*
Level Design-6 Frustration-8* Fun-7/6* Originality-7
Overall Score-6.5
*1-player
+
Three different characters (different strength, speed and magic ability)
Monster mounts (chimera, blue and red dragons)
Memorable locations
Decent art direction (dark medieval fantasy theme)
Large bosses
Throws (at the end of combos, enemies won't attack while picking someone up to throw them) and running tackles
Back attack (somewhat unresponsive)
Fairly fast paced
Some visually impressive magic
2-player co-op, the blue imps (hit them to receive power ups)
One extra level on MD
+/-
Gilius is generally superior in a 1-player game (best range, tackle/dash attack tied with tyris, mediocre magic although his special attack (roll) is harder to hit with)
Stupid AI around pits (comical effect)
Kinda small hit box on the blue dragon's fire
-
Somewhat clunky controls (no invincibility frames for mounting on a beast (you also can't cancel the move) or getting up after a knockout hit from a boss, can't jump sideways/on the z-plane+jumps are overly vertical like in Contra, blue dragon can't attack in mid-air+can't hit an enemy on a higher platform even though it looks like it, can't dismount or make a beast go away without taking damage or letting an enemy mount it)
Thrown enemies don't have an effect on other enemies
All magic is effectively the same except for the damage done
Repetitive (several palette swaps and repeated bosses)
Only two attack moves when on a mount (running tackle and attack)
Short length
Voices cancel out the music
Doesn't make good use of the sound chip (shrill and tinny instruments, poor drums)
Very short second level
Level Design-6 Frustration-8* Fun-7/6* Originality-7
Overall Score-6.5
*1-player
+
Three different characters (different strength, speed and magic ability)
Monster mounts (chimera, blue and red dragons)
Memorable locations
Decent art direction (dark medieval fantasy theme)
Large bosses
Throws (at the end of combos, enemies won't attack while picking someone up to throw them) and running tackles
Back attack (somewhat unresponsive)
Fairly fast paced
Some visually impressive magic
2-player co-op, the blue imps (hit them to receive power ups)
One extra level on MD
+/-
Gilius is generally superior in a 1-player game (best range, tackle/dash attack tied with tyris, mediocre magic although his special attack (roll) is harder to hit with)
Stupid AI around pits (comical effect)
Kinda small hit box on the blue dragon's fire
-
Somewhat clunky controls (no invincibility frames for mounting on a beast (you also can't cancel the move) or getting up after a knockout hit from a boss, can't jump sideways/on the z-plane+jumps are overly vertical like in Contra, blue dragon can't attack in mid-air+can't hit an enemy on a higher platform even though it looks like it, can't dismount or make a beast go away without taking damage or letting an enemy mount it)
Thrown enemies don't have an effect on other enemies
All magic is effectively the same except for the damage done
Repetitive (several palette swaps and repeated bosses)
Only two attack moves when on a mount (running tackle and attack)
Short length
Voices cancel out the music
Doesn't make good use of the sound chip (shrill and tinny instruments, poor drums)
Very short second level