Golden Axe III

I was dreading playing this game after suffering the unspeakably awful Golden Axe 2. Honestly, I have played few video games that made me want to hurl my console out the window but the first sequel to Golden Axe brought me very close.

Originally not released outside of Japan, Golden Axe three offers a bit more in the way of gameplay by introducing unlockable characters and a non-linear route to final boss. The graphics are merely adequate, not pushing the Mega Drive potential in the slightest. The backgrounds are mainly bland and generic but not to the point of being distracting, if that makes sense. There are only about five character models for the villains and about two different (and rubbish) music tracks. The sound effects suck, the combat is painfully limited and the character magic is utterly unimpressive.

Despite all this, I didn't feel like turning it off in disgust and stuck with it until the end. I had fun, not lots of fun, but still felt like I had played a semi-decent game. Skip Golden Axe 2 and go straight to this one.

Movie Golden Axe 3 is one of those projects that leave fond memories of the 16-bit era of gaming. I don't even really remember such a classic fantasy action game in the games I've played. This game is an example of how, even within the genre, you can add something unusual and fresh.

The story unfolds in a dark world where evil forces threaten to destroy all good things, and the heroes have to stop evil and bring back peace. The plot develops through linear battles and scenes, and the player naturally gets the opportunity to influence the development of events. It was this certain non-linearity of the plot that became a real revelation for me: the ability to choose a location on the "forks" added depth and variability to the passage.

For a 1993 game, "Golden Axe 3" shows decent animation. The characters' movements are smooth, the attacks are spectacular, and the spells are impressive. The character design looks interesting and memorable. The levels are drawn with love: dark forests, sands, temples, etc. Create the atmosphere of a fantasy world where each location is full of details.

The combat system is one of the game's strengths. The developers made it possible to perform special techniques and combos for each character. It is particularly enjoyable to use the unique abilities of the fighters, including magical attacks, which are not only spectacular, but also strategically important in battles.

The opponents in Golden Axe 3 are diverse and require different approaches in battle. I especially remember the skeletons, which were literally infuriating with their stamina, ability to block attacks and the ability to suddenly attack back. It was necessary to choose tactics especially carefully against them. And of course, swear with ugly words.

Of all the fighters, the predator fighting cat is the most memorable. His incredible strength, speed, and unique skills have made him a clear favorite among the rest. Compared to other heroes, he was clearly superior in skills and gave a feeling of complete confidence in battle.

"Golden Axe 3" is a decent game that pleased me with its relative non-linearity, atmosphere and variety in the combat system. Although the game wasn't revolutionary, it was a pleasant experience.

8 out of 10.