Golden Axe III

The Good
This is the game I've probably spent more time playing than anything else on the Genesis and I've played a lot.

Story: There isn't much that can be said about the story but it's the typical Golden Axe stuff: Bad Guy wields the powerful Golden Axe and the main characters have to save the kingdom from his reign of terror. Simple but it works for these type of medieval hack and slash games.

Gameplay: The game itself is a solid beat em up/hack and slash kind of game. Controls are fluid and very responsive. Combine that with the excellent Sega Genesis controller and it becomes are very enjoyable experience. Compared to the original Golden Axe, this one has way more moves and ways to attack which the player can execute. The characters can perform multiple jump attacks, a wide variety of grappling attacks and a power move unique to every character. There are plenty of levels and the ability to choose which path the character should take. Pretty awesome.

Graphics: The sprites in the game are awesome. The whole visual remind me of a 80's barbarian movie and that is really nice. The spells which the characters use are well animated and please the eye with 16bit goodness.

Sound and Music: For me this is where the game exceeds. Although I love the Sega Genesis, I've rarely seen a game with an above average music score but Golden Axe III has some of the best video game music I've heard on any console. Every song track fits the level perfectly and helps make each of the stages and boss encounters be more memorable. The sound is also excellent. My favorite sound being when you break a barrel or a road sign.

Multiplayer: Like the previous entries in the series the game becomes twice as fun when you played it with a friend. It makes up for some very tense gameplay since the enemies increase when the game is set to two players. Oh, and there are special moves you can only execute with another player which are awesome.

The Bad
I do have some minor gripes with this game.

Story: Nothing to complain here.

Gameplay: Some of the characters' power moves are really overpowered. They can easily breeze through the game with ease if the player masters their power move. There are other things that can be exploited as well like hitting a boss character with the same move repeatedly and that can really break immersion. Also, wish there was a bit more variety of enemies.

Graphics: No major complains.

Sound and Music: Absolutely no complains.

Multiplayer: Players can beat each other player to death and throw themselves in pits which is fun but sometimes it happens accidentally and that can ruin the game. I'm not against being able to hit each other during multiplayer but I wish there was an option to turn it off.

The Bottom Line
If you have a Sega Genesis and you are looking to expand your collection, get this game and I promise that you will not regret it. It's a medieval beat em up mixed with Conan the Barbarian with great visuals and amazing sound and gameplay. High replay value and exciting multiplayer guaranteed.