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{{Game
{{Game
|completion=4
|completion=4
|image=Golden Axe ARC flyer.jpg
|image=Golden Axe Genesis box.jpg
|title=Golden Axe
|title=Golden Axe
|developer=[[Sega]]
|developer=[[Sega]]
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}}
}}
{{marquee|Golden Axe marquee.jpg}}
{{marquee|Golden Axe marquee.jpg}}
'''Golden Axe''' is a side-scrolling hack-and-slash game released by [[Sega]] for [[arcade]]s in [[1989]], running on the Sega System 16B arcade hardware. Makoto Uchida was the lead designer of the game, and was also responsible for the creation of the previous year's [[Altered Beast]]. The game casts players as one of three warriors who must free the fantastical land of Yuria from the tyrannical rule of Death Adder, who wields the titular Golden Axe.
'''Golden Axe''' is a side-scrolling arcade [[beat 'em up]] released by [[Sega]] in [[1989]]. The game has a medieval/fantasy setting and three characters to choose from (Gilius Thunderhead the dwarf, Ax Battler the barbarian, Tyris Flare the amazon). The game set itself apart from other beat-'em-ups (including Sega's popular platformer [[Altered Beast]], released the previous year) by its inclusion of magic powers unique to each character as well as rideable beasts known as Bizarrians, each with special moves of their own. Together, these features made each character play differently, rather than just having visual differences to separate them, and the Bizarrians' differences added another level of depth to the gameplay. The game was epic in every sense of the word: bosses dwarfed the player characters, magic powers filled the screen, and enemies let out shrieks of pain as they died, their corpses permanently littering the playing field rather than vanishing like in most games in the genre. It was a true demonstration of the System 16's power, and the game quickly became one of Sega's biggest sellers.


The game was well received at the time of release, Golden Axe was later converted for play on many different home systems, including Sega's own [[Sega Genesis|Mega Drive/Genesis]] and [[Sega Master System|Master System]]. The game's success spawned an entire franchise consisting of several sequels and various spin-offs.
Since Makoto Uchida was the primary developer of both Golden Axe and Altered Beast some stylistic elements have carried across; most notably, the Chicken Legs (which were merely a type of enemy in Altered Beast) became rideable beasts for both players and enemies to use against their foes. Their unique appearance made them an iconic feature of the series: all the games (both sequels and spinoffs) feature them in some role except for [[Golden Axe III]].


== Gameplay ==
The game was soon ported to many home systems. None of the home ports quite matched the original's graphics and sound capabilities, but they received several additions that made up for these shortcomings. Most home conversions include the new [[Golden Axe/The Duel|The Duel]] mode, a frantic brawl on a fixed screen with increasingly difficult enemies but no healing or magic, as well as two extra levels. The game's lasting legacy led it to spawn four sequels, three spinoffs, a novel, and two six-part comics in the fortnightly [[wp:Sonic the Comic|Sonic the Comic]]. More recently there has been a [[PlayStation 2]] remake ([[Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 5: Golden Axe]]), and [[Golden Axe: Beast Rider]], a reboot of the series, has been released for the [[Xbox 360]] and [[PlayStation 3]].
Progress is made through the game by fighting through Death Adder's henchmen, including men armed with clubs and maces, skeleton warriors, and knights. Players are able to attack using their weapon, jump and cast spells that hurt all enemies on the screen. The force of this magic depends on the number of "bars" of magic power currently available. The bars are filled by collecting blue "magic potions" attained by kicking little sprites who then drop the potions. These sprites appear during regular levels and during bonus stages in between levels. The male warrior Ax is able to cast earth spells. The dwarf Gilius casts lightning spells and the female warrior Tyris casts fire magic. Each character has a different maximum number of magic bars and varying ranges of attack. If the players take too long to advance, skeleton swordsmen emerge from the ground.


Various steeds known as bizarrians are found in the game. These can be ridden when the enemy rider is knocked off, or if one is found dormant. The least powerful steed is known as the Cockatrice (which also appeared in [[Altered Beast]]), which can be used to knock down enemies with a swipe of its tail. The more powerful dragon, which can either shoot fireballs or breathe fire depending on its color scheme, is found later in the game.
Golden Axe is still widely available; the Sega Genesis version is available via [[GameTap]] and the [[Wii Virtual Console]] as well as in the [[Sega Smash Pack (Game Boy Advance)]] and the [[Sega Genesis Collection]]. GameTap also offers the arcade version. It is also available as a digital purchase for the [[Xbox 360]] and [[PlayStation 3]], complete with [[Golden Axe/Achievements and trophies|achievements and trophies]] and online co-op.


In addition to the main quest, some home versions of the game included "duel mode", a survival mode type game that pitted players against increasingly powerful foes in consecutive rounds of play. This mode also featured a two-player one-on-one option.
==Story==
 
[[File:Golden Axe title screen.png|thumb|left|The game's title screen.]]
== Story ==
[[File:Golden Axe title screen.png|thumb|right|The game's title screen.]]
The land of Yuria is in danger. The evil Death Adder has found the Golden Axe, a magical emblem of the land, and has used its power to capture the royal family and overthrow the land. Each of the heroes has lost a relative to Death Adder; as they begin their journey to avenge their dead a friend, Alex, stumbles bleeding onto the screen, explains what has happened, and is killed by one of Death Adder's henchmen (in most ports this scene is instead depicted through dialogue).
The land of Yuria is in danger. The evil Death Adder has found the Golden Axe, a magical emblem of the land, and has used its power to capture the royal family and overthrow the land. Each of the heroes has lost a relative to Death Adder; as they begin their journey to avenge their dead a friend, Alex, stumbles bleeding onto the screen, explains what has happened, and is killed by one of Death Adder's henchmen (in most ports this scene is instead depicted through dialogue).
 
{{-}}
== Ports ==
The [[Sega Genesis|Mega Drive/Genesis]] version remained largely faithful to the arcade game, adding a level and a duel mode, along with a new ending.
 
The [[DOS|IBM PC compatible]] port released in 1990 is similar to the Mega Drive/Genesis version, but includes a 256 color VGA mode as well as support for EGA, CGA, and Hercules modes. [[Atari ST]] and [[Amiga]] ports released in late 1990 by Virgin Software are similar to the arcade. The Amiga port is similar to the arcade game, with some palette changes and without parallax scrolling.
 
Variations of the original game have also been released. The [[Sega Master System]] version of the game retells the original story from the perspective of Tarik, a barbarian with resemblances to Ax Battler (much like all the other barbarian in the entire series: Kain Grinder, Stern Blade and Kain Blade). While the game is only one-player, it features all of the levels and magic powers of the arcade version. In Japan, Golden Axe was released by Telenet for the [[PC Engine CD-ROM]] in 1990 with high-quality resampled music and cut scenes.


{{ToC}}
{{ToC}}
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