Amiga

Golden Axe

Though nowhere near as technically impressive as the C64 game, Amiga Golden Axe benefits greatly from the simultaneous two-player mode. As in Shadow Warriors it's possible to hurt your partner -easily done by accident during the hectic fighting, or sometimes on purpose in the rush to get potions and food! (Don't I know it! -Ed). Even with a clumsy colleague (You! -Ed), the game is definitely more fun with two players, although it's made a lot easier -Stu and I got well into the game on our first attempt. Thankfully then, playing solo is considerably more challenging with effectively double the number of well-animated enemies to fend off. As with the C64 version, my favourite part of the game is riding the creatures, especially the fire-breathing dragon -great for roasting your 'colleague'! Generally good graphics -apart from the unbelievably crude magic effects -and a nice soundtrack to complement some highly enjoyable hack'n'slay action.

The arcade game, Golden Axe, was excellent in every way and I am somewhat disappointed at the Amiga conversion. Golden Axe, I imagine, must have been a very difficult game to convert and this is probably the best that could've been written. The graphics are very good but the game suffers from what we call the 'Double Dragon syndrome': the game was far too easy. We completed it on our first go.

It all happened in one foul swoop. After conquering three other kingdoms, the evil and powermad Death Adder had decided that the peaceful land of Yuria would be the next link in his chain of power.

Solche Hau- und Hack-Festivitäten aus der Spielhalle pflegen auf Computern oft heftig in die Hose zu gehen. Doch bei Golden Axe blieb der herzhafte Holzhammercharme des Originals weitgehend unverwässert. Die fünf Levels bieten eine Fülle an netten Gegnern, die man dank gewöhnungsbedürftiger, aber vielseitiger Steuerung auf elegante Weise vertrimmen kann. Die drei zur Wahl stehenden Spielfiguren erfordern verschiedene Vermöbelungsstrategien; der Zwei-Spieler-Modus sorgt für Bonusspaß. Da verzeiht man auch mal ruckliges Scrolling (Amiga) oder Farbtristesse (C 64). Eine solide Monsterklopferei.