The New Classics #62: Battle Axe

 

The Backstory: An obvious hack’n’slashy homage to the glory days of arcade and to Golden Axe had to be given a chance to shine — even though Golden Axe ain’t no Megadrive cult classic of mine. Let’s find out if that newest Axe will become a New Classic of mine, shall we? 

 

 

The Game: I went straight for Easy Mode, because I like my Hack’n’Slashes on the cushy, fulfilling side — especially when they’re retro. The metallic, gritty Megadrivey music grated on my ears and was quickly shut down, leaving me free to concentrate on the gorgeous 16-bit-ish graphics — think Seiken Densetsu 3, only with smoother edges and softer hues. 

 

 

As for the gameplay, it’s the most deliciously regressive piece of bloody messiness I’ve seen this side of Mortal Combat. Geysers of blood! Explosions of fleshy bits! All this at the slightest touch from your sword! I’ve never been one to relish gore in a game; but such cartoonish, over-the-top gore is right up my alley. 

 

 

B-Axe can be as short or as long as you want, which is also right up my alley. You can go for a quick carnage fix by polishing off the four levels of the Arcade Mode, or treat yourself to an all-you-can-eat buffet by diving into the Infinite Mode and its virtually endless string of levels.  

 

 

The Verdict: Gory retro goodness is totally something I can use — all the more so as there is nothing quite like Battle Axe in The Collection. We have a hit on our bloody, tainted hands, folks!