We have now reached the halfway point in this series of articles. It has to be celebrated with something special, and what more special than one of the few Zelda clones on a SEGA console: Golden Axe Warrior. This is one of Master System’s slightly more expensive and rarer titles, although it was released in Europe as well as North and South America. A relatively late release certainly did its bit to deter (Mega Drive/Genesis was already out by this point). But the biggest reason was probably such a big deviation from the genre Golden Ax is known for, namely beat ’em up/brawler.
As a Zelda clone, there are some obvious influences here: bird’s eye view; chunky sword fights and x number of temples with chests, maps, keys and upgrades. Searching various civilian homes is of course also on that list. But even if you can accuse Golden Axe Warrior too much (lack of originality, predictability, clumsy fingertip feel) there is a very solid, almost well-intentioned spirit here. Golden Axe Warrior is simply fun to play.
The story is that Death Adder, the classic villain of the Golden Ax universe, has basically taken over the three continents of Firewood, Nendoria, and Altorulia, and it’s now up to you, a nameless warrior, to stop him. For that you mainly need nine crystals scattered in nine separate temples around the world. You will also meet a couple of familiar faces from the “main series”, such as Gillian, or rather Gilius (probably).
The world itself is quite large and it takes quite a lot to get through in one sitting. The map is a grid of 15 x 15 areas and scrolls just like in classic Zelda: When you reach the edge of the screen, the camera jumps to the next. Along with its large color palette, decent enemy variation and a performance that very rarely dips in image update is Golden Axe Warrior a true specimen. It is noticeable that the cassette itself is twice the size of the original Zelda, in terms of space (2 Mbit versus 1 Mbit). Just like its source of inspiration, the cassette also has a battery memory with space for up to three different save files.
Actually, most of it is peace and joy Golden Axe Warrior, but despite its obvious quality it only just barely reaches the Zelda class. Having to traipse countries and kingdoms around to replenish magic has never been kosher, as prime examples. The fact that the game is so overcrowded with “secret paths” on every other screen is also a bit overwhelming. In addition, a total of twelve only leads to a grumpy old man who TAKES your money instead of giving. The guys don’t really give or take much, but it’s still annoying and demonstrably unnecessary fluff. In a game that is still quite cryptic without guide no need for so many stray tracks.
That’s how portable the ships were back then.
However, I don’t really mind wandering around the map, because the music is a real banger. It is what Ys should have been, I feel, and besides, I’m in the same rock style as this one. The rest of the soundtrack is also nothing to put on silent. It is again Chikako Kamatani (who is responsible for the arrangements in California Games and Tennis Ace). Golden Axe Warrior can compete well with the very best 8-bit games, in music as well as gameplay.
2024-01-20 07:00:00
#Days #Master #System #Golden #Warrior
