Game Developer goes behind the scenes of Golden Axe: Beast Rider
Posted by Graham. Filed under G, Microsoft Xbox 360, News, Sony PlayStation 3. Tagged with Golden Axe Beast Rider, Iron Man, Michael Boccieri, Secret Level.
In the lastest issue of Game Developer magazine, the sister publication of Gamasutra, they speak to Secret Level producer Michael Boccieri on the development of Golden Axe: Beast Rider.
As you all should know Beast Rider wasn’t exactly a well received title among reviewers and gamers, receiving mostly average reviews all round and a Metacritic score of just 45 (if you are into that sort of thing).
One reason for Beast Rider failing to live up to the expectations of gamers was due to Secret Level also working on Iron Man at the same time. But, as Michael explains, Secret Level needed the Iron Man project to boost their financial status and without one the other would not have been finished.
“By 2006, Golden Axe was digging itself into an increasingly deeper hole. While slow progress was being made on the engine front, gameplay prototypes remained woefully inadequate on delivering expected quality. The studio was also grossly over budget. Secret Level — and ultimately SEGA — looked around for a hero to save the studio from itself.
“That hero turned out to be Iron Man…
“…In a sense Iron Man and Golden Axe were conjoined twins. One could not have survived without the other, yet neither was able to fully blossom into its own element with the other one attached.”
In the article, Michael Boccieri helps to explain partly why Beast Rider suffered, did not live up to the early promises and why they had to cut the co-op mode from the game. Check out the full article in Game Developer (out now), or read more from the article over at Gamasutra now.
[Source: Gamasutra]
Review: Golden Axe: Beast Rider
Posted by Graham. Filed under G, Microsoft Xbox 360, Multi-platform, Review, Sony PlayStation 3. Tagged with Beast Rider, Golden Axe, Secret Level.
“Golden Axe is one of our most treasured brands and is a complete re-imagining of the story that will take gamers on an unforgettable journey,” said Scott Steinberg, vice president of marketing at Sega of America, during the game’s announcement at E3 2006. “The vision we have for the remake of Golden Axe is nothing short of remarkable, and it can only be realized on the PS3 and Xbox 360.”
Ever since Golden Axe: Beast Rider was first announced, fans of the series have been anxiously awaiting its release, and for many Sega Nerds, it’s been one of this year’s most anticipated titles.
Now, that wait is over thanks to developer Secret Level’s shot at re-establishing the Golden Axe franchise as a household name. Will Steinberg’s lofty expectations be met and recapture the hearts of gamers like the original, or will it disappoint like so many other classic remakes?
Golden Axe: Beast Rider - Tyris trailer
Posted by Graham. Filed under G, Microsoft Xbox 360, Multi-platform, News, Sony PlayStation 3, Video. Tagged with Beast Rider, Gameplay, Golden Axe, Secret Level, Trailer.
Sega has released another Golden Axe: Beast Rider trailer, this one focuses on Tyris… in particular her attire.
The trailer is a montage of clips from the game, showing off Tyris in some of the clothes she wears in the game, and some of the different weapons she carries. Although the video doesn’t have any narration or subtitles to explain everything, it looks like you will be able to wear her outfit from the original Golden Axe - her white bikini with the red trim. Saucy.
If this tickles your fancy, the game was released yesterday in the US, and is due to hit European stores this Friday. But if you are unsure and want to wait, then stay tuned as we should have out review of the game here very soon.
[Source: Sega PR]
Golden Axe: Beast Rider gameplay
Posted by Graham. Filed under G, Microsoft Xbox 360, News, Video. Tagged with Beast Rider, Gameplay, Golden Axe, Hands on, Secret Level.
The folks over at TeamXbox have been able to get their hands on the new Golden Axe game, giving out some first impressions of the game, plus some video footage. Annoyingly the video quality has been somewhat reduced by YouTube, you can watch the better looking videos here.
While the hands-on impressions given are quite short, they do sound pretty positive on the game. Nothing too gushing, but I definitely got a positive vibe about the game from them. Â
One thing I am glad to see in the game is limb severing, it always adds that little extra something to a fighting game, when you can cut someone in half. Also, notice that when Death Adder’s underlings die, they turn to stone - just like in the original arcade version of Golden Axe.
Check after the break for the second video and some of their impressions.
Golden Axe: Beast Rider - Krommath trailer
Posted by Graham. Filed under G, Microsoft Xbox 360, News, Sony PlayStation 3, Video. Tagged with Beast Rider, Gameplay, Golden Axe, Secret Level, Trailer.
Sega Europe has just released a new gameplay video focusing on one of the beasts featured in Golden Axe: Beast Rider, the “Krommath.”
According to Secret Level, the Krommath are very elephantine; slow to maneuver, but have a powerful attack that needs to be planned to use effectively. Each beast has three sets of special moves, to take down anything foolish enough to get in their way.
Krommath moves:
- Quick strike:Â A slow, area-of-effect stomp.Â
- Powerful strike:Forward charge. Â
- Special attack: Shockwave
I know many of you are torn on this, but I still think the game looks as though it can be fun. Let’s just hope the beast riding idea works out well.
[Source: Sega PR]
Golden Axe: Beast Rider mini documentary
Posted by Graham. Filed under G, Microsoft Xbox 360, News, Sony PlayStation 3, Video. Tagged with Beast Rider, Gametrailers, Golden Axe, Secret Level.
A new mini documentary for Golden Axe: Beast Rider has been released on Gametrailers.
The video talks about the origin of the Golden Axe games, featuring the creator Golden Axe and President of Sega China, Makoto Uchida, plus the team working on Beast Rider.
It’s quite an interesting watch, especially as a few of the comments reflect some of what I said in my recent article on Golden Axe.
It was also interesing to hear that Makoto Uchida only worked on Golden Axe 1 and The Revenge of Death Adder - which many consider to be the best (yes I know some of you love Golden Axe 2 more, for some reason). Also that the movie Conan, helped to inspire the idea behind Golden Axe.
[Source: Gametrailers]
GC 2008: Golden Axe Beast Rider
Posted by Graham. Filed under Europe, G, Microsoft Xbox 360, News, Sony PlayStation 3. Tagged with event, Exhibition, Games Convention, Golden Axe, Leipzig, Secret Level.
Just a few new screens from the new Golden Axe game. While some people may not be so excited by this title, I think it is looking like it could be fun.
 
 
 
While a lot of the scenery, and overall appearance of the game, seems to be rather brown - I think the game does look pretty cool. I especially like the weird flares that Tyris is sporting (see first pic) - especially as the flares are not attached to anything on her legs.
[Source: Sega PR]
E3 2008: Golden Axe: Beast Rider, details and lack of co-op explained
Posted by Graham. Filed under G, Microsoft Xbox 360, News, Sony PlayStation 3. Tagged with E3 2008, Golden Axe Beast Rider, Secret Level.
This game has caused a lot of mixed emotions from the depths of the Sega Nerds members.
Some people are just outraged at the idea of only being able to play as Tyris, and the game having no form of co-op mode - which is what the series is famed for. And some people just seem to be angry at other issues with the game - one thing I heard was that the game looks “too brown.” Well i guess, each to their own (I’ve complained about random things before now).
Others are trying to stay more positive on the situation - which is a catagory I guess I fall under. I think the game looks like it has the potential to be a decent Hack N’ Slash title. I’m not looking at it as a true Golden Axe sequel though, more of a spin-off action title.
Anyway, Sega has released a few more screenshots and details on the game. Plus they have given a response to the mounting complaints about the lack of co-op, as Joystiq hunted down Sega’s VP of marketing, Sean Ratcliffe, and asked him the awkward question.
Review: Iron Man
Posted by Graham. Filed under G, Microsoft Xbox 360, Review. Tagged with Iron Man, Marvel, Secret Level.
Unless you have been living in a cave or a small shoebox for the last few weeks, you should all know that the Iron Man movie was released at the end of last week, and just along side the movie release Sega released their Iron Man (official movie) game.
But releasing a game along side a movie can be restrictive for a developer, so was the deadline a bad thing for Sega and the game’s developers, Secret Level?
[Images courtesy of Sega]
Reminder: Iron Man lands this week
Posted by Nathan. Filed under Microsoft Xbox 360, Nathan, News, Nintendo DS, Nintendo Wii, PC, Sony PSP, Sony PlayStation 2, Sony PlayStation 3. Tagged with Iron Man, Secret Level.
It’s a huge week for gamers, what with Mario Kart Wii already on sale and Grand Theft Auto 4 and a huge update to PC multiplayer shooter Team Fortress 2 set for Tuesday. It would be easy to forget that Sega and Secret Level’s Iron Man game is scheduled for release this Friday. Hey, I can’t blame you since I didn’t even remember myself.
Lucky for you, I’m here to remind you that yes, the game is coming out just in time for the movie to debut in theaters. If you can find a break in your busy schedule between seeing Iron Man in theaters, racing online in karts, rushing for gold and shooting prostitutes, be sure to try out Iron Man. Conveniently, it’s available on every platform and then some… Including your cell phone.
If you want to learn more about the game, check out our previous coverage. It seems that there are no reviews for the game online at this moment, but I’m sure that will change soon.
