Ax Battler: A Legend of Golden Axe

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Ax Battler: A Legend of Golden Axe

Developer(s) Aspect
Publisher(s) Sega
Series Golden Axe
Platform(s) Sega Game Gear
Release date JP 1991
NA 1991
PAL 1991
Genre(s) Action-adventure, Medieval / Fantasy
Rating(s) Pre-Rating
Media Cartridge
Input methods 1 Player

Ax Battler: A Legend of Golden Axe is an action-adventure game spin-off of the popular Golden Axe video game series. The game was released on the Sega Game Gear in 1991.

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[edit] Plot

The protagonist is Ax Battler, the male barbarian character from the original Golden Axe game. The series' primary villain, Death Adder, is laying seige to the entire world. He steals the Golden Axe - a magical weapon that grants its wielder unimaginable power - from its hiding place in Firewood Castle. To prevent Death Adder using its powers to destroy the world, the king of Firewood Castle calls upon the help of his strongest warrior: Ax Battler.

During his journey, Ax Battler must battle through the following 'special landmarks': The Spooky Cave, Peninsula Tower, Turtle's Back, Death Pyramid, Evil Cave, Maze Wood, Gayn Mountain, Eagle's Back, Ice Cliffs and Death Adder's Castle.

[edit] Gameplay

Unlike the original side-scrolling beat 'em up Golden Axe games, Ax Battler is divided into three different sections of gameplay: -

  • Map Scene: This mode shows the player's movements in a top-view overworld as he moves across the wilderness. Enemies randomly attack, prompting the game to switch to the below Action Screen.
  • Town Scene: Similar in appearance to the Map Scenes, except this mode shows the player's actions in a town. The core difference is the ability to talk to NPCs and visit stores.
  • Action Screen: The game switches to Action Screen when the player encounters an enemy or enters one of the special landmarks. This is a side-scrolling beat 'em up/platform environment.

Ax Battler can collect magic vases, which can be used for his magical attacks or as currency in the towns. He can also learn new attacks in the Training Houses.

Passwords can be collected from the towns to serve as a 'saving' system.

[edit] Critical Response

The game was widely criticised due to its similarities to Zelda II: Adventure of Link.

[edit] See also

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