Joystiq

Metareview -- Golden Axe Beast Rider (360, PS3)

Justin McElroy — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 09:55:00 EST

Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360, Metareviews

Normally, we avoid metareviews of games that have been universally maligned because, well, who cares about them? But reader Joseph P. pointed us to a review this morning that made us reconsider our position on Golden Axe: Beast Rider. Let's see if you can figure out which one it is.

Eurogamer (30/100): "Castle Crashers has already shown that there's a market for well-produced 2D hackandslash, but instead we get this utterly charmless and shamelessly derivative 3D shrug of a game. SEGA might as well have released this as The Adventures of Fiery Boob Lady, and left their mothballed franchise with at least modicum of dignity."
IGN (32/100): "If had to sum up my feelings for Golden Axe: Beast Rider in five words or less, I'd actually do it in one: hatred. The game is so ridden with poor production values that there's absolutely nothing redeeming about the game, and its checklist of annoying issues will drive all but the already-insane crazy long before it ends."
GamePro (40/100): "Fans hoping for a worthwhile update to one of gaming's most revered hack-and-slash franchises will be sorely disappointed by this poorly designed and utterly mediocre title."
Play (90/100): "I could write another page on things I love about Beast Rider, like how bloody cool it looks when Tyris slices a body in two or hacks off an arm, subtle homages like scampering gnomes and thorny spikes, the naked body parts that Death Adder's minions use for decoration, how the game runs like a dream on PS3, and how awesome it is that the single-player experience wasn't compromised to add some bogus online crapola, but I think my work here is done."

You read that right: A 9 out of 10. How could something like this have happened, you ask? Well, in this missive, reviewer Dave Halverson theorizes that most reviewers didn't even finish the game. We haven't played it ourselves and with Halverson listing "the lack of a multiplayer mode" among the things he loves about Beast Rider, we don't know who to trust. Have any of you given it a shot?

Metareview -- Golden Axe Beast Rider (360, PS3) originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 20 Oct 2008 09:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Shipping this week: it begins edition

Richard Mitchell — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 15:45:00 EST

Filed under: News, Shipping this week, Dead Space

And here ... we ... go. We're halfway through October and it's finally started. The industry imposed holiday game torrent is upon us. We hope you've saved up some cash (or tidied up your GameFly queue) because, starting now, you're going to need it. Just look at all of these games:

Yeah, this is going to be a tough couple of months.

[Via Joystiq]

Shipping this week: it begins edition originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 13 Oct 2008 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Abrax: Golden Axe's purple chicken evolved?

Richard Mitchell — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: News

Sega has released a new video featuring one of the new beasts in Golden Axe: Beast Rider. As the title implies, the beast in question can be ridden. Called the Abrax, the beast looks to be something of an amalgamation of the dragons and the purple chicken-lizard thing from the original arcade game. It has a variety of abilities, including a tail whip, fire breath, and fireballs that take on the properties of mortar shells. All in all, the Abrax looks like a pretty sweet ride, although we can't help but feel something's missing.

Check out a video of the original chicken-lizard in action after the break. We're these guys separated at birth, or what?

Continue reading The Abrax: Golden Axe's purple chicken evolved?

The Abrax: Golden Axe's purple chicken evolved? originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Sep 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Forget friends as Golden Axe: Beast Rider releases Oct. 17 in Europe

Alexander Sliwinski — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 17:40:00 EST

Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360, Action

Sega has announced that Heavenly Golden Axe of War (also known by its official title: Golden Axe: Beast Rider) will release Oct. 17 in Europe. Retailers currently have Oct. 14 listed for North America, but we've contacted Sega of America to confirm. GA:BR is the ~~AAA~~ AA+ title based on the co-op driven, arcade beat 'em up from the early '90s. Sadly, Beast Rider does not feature any co-op play.

For that, protagonist ~~stripper~~ Tyris Flare will apparently have to wait until a sequel, as the developers were keen to focus on combat this time around. At least we know what the first back-of-the-box bullet point will be.

Gallery: Golden Axe: Beast Rider

Forget friends as Golden Axe: Beast Rider releases Oct. 17 in Europe originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 22 Sep 2008 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Golden Axe video is missing something

Richard Mitchell — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: News

Imagine you gathered together a group of video game journalists and told them to recall their fondest memories of the classic Sega arcade game, Golden Axe. Now imagine you created a video montage of said journalists discussing said memories. Now imagine watching that video and not once hearing the word "multiplayer." Seems a little weird, no? And yet, not once in a new Golden Axe: Beast Rider mini documentary (embedded after the brdeak) does a single person mention one of the biggest (if not the biggest) features from the original Golden Axe, multiplayer. Now, we're not saying Beast Rider will be an awful game -- in fact, it looks pretty decent -- but come on. Really? Nobody remembers how awesome it was to take on Death Adder with a buddy? Nobody remembers how our brother used to kick us in the shins when our dwarf accidentally clipped his barbarian with our trusty battle axe?

Anyhway, the team at Secret Level seems to be pretty dedicated to the Golden Axe legacy. We just hope someone explains the lack of multiplayer. Somehow, we get the feeling that the answer will sound something like this: "Do you know how successful God of War is?"

Continue reading Golden Axe video is missing something

Golden Axe video is missing something originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 22 Sep 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Are you prepared for a new Golden Axe: Beast Rider trailer?

Justin McElroy — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360

It's been three months since we've seen any moving pictures from Golden Axe: In Name Only, but is that enough time to prepare yourself for a new trailer? Have you had enough time to get ready for footage of a title that's so clearly not a Golden Axe game that it's almost kind of adorable? Are you ready for "Not this day!" sure to be one of the classic video game lines of all time? Most importantly (and prominently), are you braced for the most gratuitous digital ass shot of this or any other decade?

Feel free to watch above, just don't say we didn't warn you.

Are you prepared for a new Golden Axe: Beast Rider trailer? originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 Aug 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Debut Golden Axe: Beast Rider trailer shows protagonist riding beasts

Griffin McElroy — Sat, 31 May 2008 21:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360, Action

We were heartbroken to learn that the upcoming re-imagining of the once beloved arcade franchise, Golden Axe: Beast Rider, would not feature any co-op gameplay. Our faith in the title was admittedly shaken -- though this debut trailer has officially piqued our interest. After all, who needs friends when you have gigantic, mountable dinosaurs? Though we would have preferred to see some footage of some unassumping, puntable power-up gnomes, the combat in the above video certainly looks enticing -- though the gameplay featured in this preview might be lost on you if your monitor is unable to display the 400 shades of brown apparently used to create the game's visual aesthetic. May we suggest adjusting the title to the slightly more appropriate Burnt Sienna Axe?

Debut Golden Axe: Beast Rider trailer shows protagonist riding beasts originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 31 May 2008 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GameTrailers TV to debut new Facebreaker, Resident Evil 5 footage

Ludwig Kietzmann — Thu, 29 May 2008 11:59:00 EST

Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Xbox 360

Whether you're in it for the pugilistic spectacle or gratuitous undead hostility, we think there are a few good reasons to catch this Friday's episode of GameTrailers TV on Spike. Not only will we see the character creation mode in EA's cartoonish boxing game, Facebreaker, we'll actually get to see show host Geoff Keighley and EA's Peter Moore break each other's faces. In the game.

If you prefer your violence to be dispensed with the pull of a finger (and not the swing of a fist), the episode will also feature new gameplay footage of Capcom's controversial Resident Evil 5. Add a trailer for world-warping shooter Fracture and in-game footage of Golden Axe: Beast Rider, and you have yourself a decent bit of entertainment. You'll find a trailer for the episode, which airs on Friday, May 30th, at 1AM ET/PT, after the break.

Continue reading GameTrailers TV to debut new Facebreaker, Resident Evil 5 footage

GameTrailers TV to debut new Facebreaker, Resident Evil 5 footage originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 29 May 2008 11:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Golden Axe returns to consoles in Beast Rider

Andrew Yoon — Fri, 16 May 2008 17:25:00 EST

Filed under: Videos and Screenshots

Click for high-resolution image.

The brand new console Golden Axe was on display at Sega's media day event. In this modern reimagining of this classic arcade game, players take on the role of Amazon warrior Tyris Flare. In a variety of skimpy outfits, players must vanquish the evil ~~Darth Vader~~ Death Adder. At Tyris' disposal are massive beasts -- and you'll do more than just ride them. These beasts are killing machines that can be used in a variety of ways.

These beasts are tools. According to Joystiq, "you don't heal them and care for them; you use them and grab another. But they're also alive. If they get attacked, you'll have to deal with a feisty beastie." Enemies also have access to beasts, so for those that are interested, you can "expect some hot beast-on-beast combat action."

Unfortunately, Golden Axe: Beast Rider will not feature co-operative play of any sort. Apparently, this was a conscious effort by the developers at Secret Level, to ensure that they refine the combat just right. Expect co-op in the myriad of sequels to follow, should Beast Rider proves to be successful.

Golden Axe returns to consoles in Beast Rider originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 16 May 2008 17:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Golden Axe: Beast Rider impressions

Christopher Grant — Fri, 16 May 2008 14:40:00 EST

Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360

Bad news, kids: Golden Axe: Beast Rider won't have any co-op play. Nigel Cook, Senior Producer at Secret Level, Sega's Bay Area studio creating the arcade "reimagining", said it was a "difficult decision" to remove the original's group gameplay and "focus on one player for the first game in the franchise." So, there are going to be more titles, and "the second game in the franchise is going to have all the characters in co-op," but for the first installment it's all about perfecting the combat. Now that you've had a moment to digest the very concept of a Golden Axe without cooperative play, let's discuss that combat system.

Beast combat is what makes the game special, Cook tells us, but it's not the only combat offered. He compared the game's melee system to action paragon Devil May Cry, and the arcade's magic system is back as well. First, the beasts: There are five offered in the game including a giant gorilla, a cheetah-like cat thing that can become invisible, and the "raptor," an enormous T-Rex-esque reptile with a scorpion tail. As you can see, historical accuracy is very important in Beast Rider.

Gallery: Golden Axe: Beast Rider

Continue reading Golden Axe: Beast Rider impressions

Golden Axe: Beast Rider impressions originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 16 May 2008 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New screens of Golden Axe: Beast Rider

Scott Jon Siegel — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 09:28:00 EST

Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360, Action

San Francisco-based studio Secret Level has released new screenshots from the upcoming Golden Axe: Beast Rider. The title was first announced waaay back in 2006, and promises to be a next-gen upgrade to the classic side-scrolling, hack 'n slash Sega series. The game is currently slated for a summer 2008 release, and is coming to Xbox 360 and PS3 (no beast-riding love for the Wii, it seems).

The shots disclosed so far don't reveal much in terms of the gameplay, but our journalistic sixth-sense tells us that the game will possibly focus on riding various kinds of beasts (honestly, sometimes we give ourselves goosebumps). Check out the gallery for all the Beast Rider images.

Gallery: Golden Axe: Beast Rider

New screens of Golden Axe: Beast Rider originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 06 Feb 2008 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Golden Axe: Beast Rider screens

Xav de Matos — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: News

Secret Level, famously known for working on the Xbox ~~gem~~ port of Final Fight: Streetwise, just dropped fresh screens of the upcoming title Golden Axe: Beast Rider. While these images look a little rough in spots, remember the game isn't hitting the Xbox 360 and PS3 until this summer. However, we're a little more perplexed by studio's love for the use of a colon in their titles. Past games include; Star Wars: Starfighter, America's Army: Rise of a Soldier and they are currently working on Iron Man: The Video Game. Come on: Seriously. Stop: It. See what you made us do?! Make it end!

New Golden Axe: Beast Rider screens originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 05 Feb 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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