Top Ten Friday: How to fix Golden Axe: Beast Riders
[Sorry this is posted a few hours late, I was taking a nap.]
A lot of fans on the forums are worried about the new Golden Axe, I don’t blame them! I’m very worried about this game as well. I wouldn’t really care if it wasn’t such a big game. Everyone on the forums is looking forward to the game. If its horrible, its more of the “Sega sucks” rants we will hear all over professional and respected blogging sites like Kotaku.
I’m not saying that we should be held in the same respect as the site above, but you should at least listen to my suggestions on things that would make this Golden Axe game better.
10. More Weapons and Armor: This is something I didn’t understand, why not have hundreds of pieces of armor? I’m not saying that the original had this, but it’s it isn’t 1993. I don’t think it would have hurt the game to have the ability to explore for certain armor pieces. Having a bunch of different weapons, depending on where you travel, different places have different manufacturing styles and so on. This would have been a great idea to make the game feel larger than it really is. Instead of this we get Tyris with barely any clothes on, sort of a win, but I rather have more armor and weapons.
09. Cover not gay enough: This is a problem, huge problem. The cover is not gay enough, not as gay as the originals at least. This new cover makes me not want the new game. It needs to have the beast on the cover showing its pink rocket ship. Now that would be awesome. Also have Ax Battler with his child size package. Nothing reminds me more of sex with men than Ax Battler, the things I’d do to that man. I rather not talk about it here. Plus the cover has the beast making a retarded ass Dr. Phil expression. Its good to see that Tyris is going to slit its throat.
08. Nudity: … why? I mean I can see nudity in a game like God of War. You have to establish that Kratos is a straight out pimp. But this is Tyris. Why do you need nudity? To establish that shes a lesbian and/or whore? I hope that the nudity comes in a Ax Battler scene, Sega never did state that it was female nudity. This could be the first game to show a male penis, imagine that! Now that would be great. If I was developing this game, full on erection on screen.
07. Art Design: I don’t like the art design, its so gloomy. I don’t understand why Tyris has an emo hair cut or why she has to wear odd clothing that looks nothing like the original. Every image we see has this brown ugly feel to it, reminds me of being in every game released in the last 5 years. I don’t know why people assume that the real world looks like this. Also I don’t like the whole ‘The world is like ending, so everything looks like shit’ look. Its fucking tacky and overdone. Why not use the designs from Sega Superstar Tennis, meaning the Gilius Thunderhead sort of art style. I mean the game could still be violent but have more of a lay back feel. Wait, that wouldn’t work because it wouldn’t be mature enough and thats all that western games like, right?
06. Developers: After the fuck-tastic Iron Man, I’m worried about this game. Not to mention they where involved in Final Fight: Street Wise. We all know that game was a pile of shit. I didn’t say they developed it though, so don’t comment to correct me. Maybe they should have gotten a developer that knows what Sega is about. They should have hired Sumo Digital, its obvious they know what they are on about. Look at Sega Superstars Tennis, that game bleeds Sega. They (Sumo Digital) also talk to Sega fans, something that Secret Level (and like almost no other studio) don’t do. I would like to be proven wrong about Secret Level being a good developer, but now I very much doubt it.
[click here for fullsize and effect!]
05. Level Design: Why is it a big open map? I don’t understand why they did this. According to them, its going to have save portals to make it feel more arcade like. Why not just have stages like the original, If you wanted it to be like the arcade? Nothing that they showed to me seemed to resemble the original game. The locations are not as cool as the original. I mean in the original had you on the back of a fucking turtle. I hate turtles, but that was pretty cool concept. Why do all the areas look like a desert? Is Secret Level a big fan of deserts? Their last game Iron Man also had a lot of desert footage and screenshots released. Hopefully they aren’t just recycling the textures.
04. Cut scenes: They showed us a cut scene at Sega’s Gamers Day and it was so uninspiring and the voice was mediocre. This game is definitely not going to challenge Metal Gear Solid for quality voice work, but thats ok. I never wanted this game to do that, but at least have half way decent cut scenes. Its not that much to ask for, if they are going to bother doing them in the first place, it might as well be done right.
03. Graphics: Sorry, but the graphics look like a Xbox games. Look at games like Kameo, this game was bashed for not being next gen enough, but it looks better than Golden Axe: Beast Riders and it was a launch title. Sorry, but this is an issue. The game has muddy textures, subpar character models, and dissonant landscapes. I would have accepted it as a launch title, but Secret Level needs to get their shit together or they shouldn’t be resurrecting classic franchises. I rather they call this “Generic Hack n Slash game” instead of bearing the Golden Axe name.
02. Selectable character(s): I hate playing as Tyris in the original, I always played Gilius. It would have been cool to go through their encounters with Death Adders forces and play their style of fighting, but instead we have to play as rejected Hot Topic employee, Tyris Flare. Its sad when a game that came out in 1989 has more selectable characters than the new game, but thats what Secret Level thinks the fans want. I hope they understand that they are wrong, deep down inside.
01. Multiplayer : Its like bringing back The Legend of Zelda without Dungeons or having a Mario game not being overrated. You need to have co-op on the game, this is what Golden Axe is. Plain and simple. No one plays Golden Axe to play alone, who ever thought that single player was enough should be fired right now. Most games have co-op now, its a huge deal. I can’t believe that this game doesn’t offer it. I mean, games with deep multiplayer are all the rage now. What with the internet and all. I’m surprised it doesn’t offer any sort of co-op, whats wrong with Secret Level, did they sit down and decide the best way to ruin this franchise? Whats so hard about understanding what Golden Axe is about?
POSTED IN: George, Microsoft Xbox 360, Sony PlayStation 3
40 opinions for Top Ten Friday: How to fix Golden Axe: Beast Riders
Ryan
Jun 7, 2008 at 6:10 am
I agree, with pretty much everything!
good job.
shame about the game.
mattmess
Jun 7, 2008 at 6:14 am
And why the fuck SEGA bought Secret Level?
Aki-at
Jun 7, 2008 at 7:12 am
Final Fight was a port, Capcom developed that game.
Storm!
Jun 7, 2008 at 7:22 am
This game is a disaster!
T+
City Hunter
Jun 7, 2008 at 7:24 am
Because Secret Level offices were near Sega of America HQ *__*
yusaku
Jun 7, 2008 at 7:25 am
Uhh…. You’re probably right on some accounts, but here’s where I disagree the most:
-Tyris Flare in Beast Rider actually has more clothing then in the original character, so at least she looks like what you’d expect from a more amazonian tribal girl;
-Since this game was meant as a single-player experience from the start, it would be understandable that it featured no multiplayer, but here’s the thing: Isn’t Golden Axe more about a quest to defeat an evil warlord? That was the essence of GA, wasn’t it? And do you need a really elaborate MGS-like plot to carry something like this out?
-FYI, Kameo does very dated, the only difference is that the game is much more colorful unlike Beast Rider which like most games this generation, is more brown-ish;
Other then that… legitimate complaints, but let’s hope you guys are proven wrong.
Aki-at
Jun 7, 2008 at 7:26 am
“Because Secret Level offices were near Sega of America HQ”
No, it was because Secret Level were good with tech such as renderware etc, and SEGA then added muscles so they could start developing their own titles.
George
Jun 7, 2008 at 7:27 am
Aki-at know, Thats why i said they where involved with the game, not made it.
“I’m worried about this game. Not to mention they where involved in Final Fight: Street Wise. We all know that game was a pile of shit. I didn’t say they developed it though, so don’t comment to correct me.”
Aki-at
Jun 7, 2008 at 7:34 am
Oh must have missed that part, well they improved the port, as the Xbox version had better controls and graphics then Capcom’s own made version, but peace out and dills 4 me!11!!1
George
Jun 7, 2008 at 7:47 am
yusaku I never heard anyone play Golden Axe and say ‘The plot about the warlord and how you defeated him is so impressive’ Its about the Co-op, same with Streets of Rage.
Kameo has more than just ‘colorful graphics’. It also features more objects on screen, effects like water, more details, and bump mapping.
I’m surprised you also want gayer box art Yusaku. Maybe we can march down to Sega together. Also demand some black people in the game for good measure.
Graham
Jun 7, 2008 at 8:04 am
I’m actually really looking forward to the game myself.
But a few of the points which George has made are quite valid.
The Kameo point is quite valid. It’s not just bright colours, if you look at the objects and scenery up close (in 1st person view) you can see an awesome amount of detail in them.
-I miss the days when games could have a decent amount of colours in them. Everything is either grey (GTA IV) or brown (like Zelda or GA)
cube_b3
Jun 7, 2008 at 8:09 am
I personally think this article is written worse, then the game would is designed.
P.S. the reason why Sumo Digital is so good, is because they collabrate with Sega Studios Japan almost on everystep.
The Gillus model that you like so much SST, was actually designed by Makato Uichida, according to SOL.
yusaku
Jun 7, 2008 at 8:10 am
What the?
I just posted something right now and it didn’t show up.
OK, long story short:
-Indeed, too many next-gen games are brown-ish;
-Golden Axe: Beast Rider was planned as a single player experience from the start, so obviously things are going to change, for better or for worse, let’s hope it’s the former;
For the record, Secret Level also ported Unreal Tournament to the Dreamcast and it was pretty good.
Kogen
Jun 7, 2008 at 8:14 am
The only thing there I highly disagree with it the first thing you said. 100s ouf weapons? No, Golden Axe never had that. A few weapons or and some new clothes/armour? Sure. But not that many. You also have to remember you get ten different mounts, so that is a lot of “weapons”.
Also this is a prequel, not part of the regular Golden Axe franchise. Golden Axe Warrior was one player too and was a Zelda 1 ripoff, yet it was still great. You even played as a retard with no name.
So at least two of your complaints need a little rethinking. Secret Level, to me, know they fucked up and are trying to fix it now while SEGA rush the game out.
Storm!
Jun 7, 2008 at 8:27 am
Kameo could looks better because was under development before GC has launched. Also, Kameo sux a lot! Bad game!:P
T+
RC
Jun 7, 2008 at 9:15 am
C’mon guys. Let’s be serious. The reason that this game will flop is because it doesn’t have blue, blue skies.
Ryan
Jun 7, 2008 at 9:29 am
cube_b3, I think its time you went away…
emmett The Crab
Jun 7, 2008 at 10:45 am
I’m still looking forward to this game. Golden Axe 1 for the SMS was one player. And I think the costumes of the old Golden Axe game wouldn’t stand up to Next-Gen, High-Definition scrutiny. Tyris wore some kind of Bikini (and I hear it’s unlockable) I was a little disappointed, but I didn’t mind that.
Kogen: I wish I had known about Golden Axe Warrior when I had a Sega Master System. That looks cool. I think too many people worry about getting Golden Axe just right, when in reality GA1 was fun, GA2 was mediocre, GA3 was terrible.
Also, George, your sentence “They also talk to Sega fans, something that Secret Level (and like almost no other studio) do.” is confusing. Are you saying that Secret Level does or does not talk to their fans? And if they do talk to their fans, why is this a negative point?
emmett The Crab
Jun 7, 2008 at 10:48 am
” I was a little disappointed, but I didn’t mind that.” is about the lack of multi-player in Golden Axe for multiplayer. Not about Tyris’ clothes.
emmett The Crab
Jun 7, 2008 at 10:49 am
I’m still tired, I should go back to bed. :( Golden Axe for Sega Master System.
George
Jun 7, 2008 at 10:49 am
“They [Sumo Digital] also talk to Sega fans, something that Secret Level (and like almost no other studio) do.”
Thats what I mean’t, ill edit (Sumo Digital) in so others won’t get confused. Thanks Emmett.
CaptainUlt
Jun 7, 2008 at 11:06 am
Good list, but why do you have to call Mario overrated to insult him?
yusaku
Jun 7, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Taking the multi-player out of the equation, makes GA:BR more along the lines of a God of War or Devil May Cry kind’of game.
ribbitking17
Jun 7, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Now that I think about it I dont think I have ever played any golden ax game by myself
Kogen
Jun 7, 2008 at 12:58 pm
emmett, the Golden Axe series is not that bad. GAII is still good, and III is not “terrible”, however it is rather poor compared to the rest of the series.
GA, GA 2(arcade), and Warrior are the great games.
This I see being classed with III, not terrible, but just not good enough. If we are luckly, maybe it will be good, though.
loempiavreter
Jun 7, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Only thing I agree with is Co-up
loempiavreter
Jun 7, 2008 at 1:23 pm
btw I think most people are missing the point of the game.
This game is like Ax Battler: A Legend of Golden Axe, Golden Axe Warrior and maybe even Golden Axe: The Duel.
loempiavreter
Jun 7, 2008 at 1:39 pm
To add, Golden Axe stood out because you could ride beasts. Not because of multiplayer, that’s an Beat’em up/Brawler standard.
emmett The Crab
Jun 7, 2008 at 2:36 pm
“They [Sumo Digital] also talk to Sega fans, something that Secret Level (and like almost no other studio) do.”
Okay, so Secret level “do” talk to Sega fans.
emmett The Crab
Jun 7, 2008 at 2:39 pm
Kogen: Don’t get me wrong, I had fun with Golden Axe II (Genesis) the first time around. But playing it now it’s gimicky, there is less parallax scrolling and the animation is not as smooth. Basically I used to think it was cool because you could throw the enemies at each other, and there were cool lizard men.
I recently tried GA3, and I had to quit before my lives ran out.
George
Jun 7, 2008 at 3:24 pm
No they don’t talk to fans, read the article, it was fixed up there. I can’t edit comments on here and didn’t want to bother to double post.
emmett The Crab
Jun 7, 2008 at 4:44 pm
Oh, cool, thanks George. My headache just disappeared.
Kijuna
Jun 7, 2008 at 5:42 pm
What’d be really epic if the nudity was a female penis.
Tyris’s.
I’d hit that. =3
Stop trolling Tyris BTW.
Taco Lord
Jun 7, 2008 at 6:20 pm
If it has a penis, it’s not a female. (Captain obvious strikes again!)
*__*
Anyways, I played the first Golden Axe once, and the last thing I remember seeing is the tailed creature from Altered Beast. But which game did it come from first?
Sega Uranus
Jun 8, 2008 at 2:03 am
The only thing I don’t agree on is number ten. Why add in so many weapons?
I wish the game was linear instead of what I’m seeing though.
George
Jun 8, 2008 at 2:53 am
The game is open world, it would just add to the replay value. Why bother exploring the world for the same weapons?
crackdude
Jun 8, 2008 at 9:43 am
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!! GOLDEN AXE IS BEING RAPED!!
CRAAAAWLING IIIIN MY SKIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIN!!!
THESE WOOOOOUUUUNDSS THEY WIIIIIIILL NOT HEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALL!!!
Gamerschoice
Jun 8, 2008 at 1:14 pm
I have to stop reading these dumb top 10 lists. Admittedly, this is better than that stupid “Who should Sonic marry?” list, but still, this is pretty dumb. I remember leaving IGN for crap like this…and EGM…and Gamestop…
crackdude
Jun 8, 2008 at 2:06 pm
top 10 people that complain about top 10’s:
1. Gamerschoice
2. …
…
What’s wrong with top 10 lists? some comical relaxation doesn’t hurt anyone..
CaptainUlt
Jun 9, 2008 at 11:59 am
Okay list. I think number 6 should have been placed higher.
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