Golden Axe III

Infobox VG
title = Golden Axe III
ゴールデン　アックス III


developer = Sega
publisher = Sega
designer =
engine =
series = "Golden Axe"
released = vgrelease|JP=June 25, 1993
genre = Hack 'n' Slash, Arcade Action, Medieval / Fantasy
perspective = Isometric, Side-Scrolling
modes = Single Player
2 Players Cooperative
Duel
ratings = Pre-Rating
platforms = Mega Drive/Genesis (Japan only), Sega Channel (US and Canada only), Virtual Console
media = 16 Bit Cartridge
requirements =
input = 1-2 Players

"Golden Axe III" (ゴールデン　アックス III "Gooruden Akkusu 3") is the last installment in the Golden Axe series released for the Sega Mega Drive on June 25 1993. The cartridge unit was only released in Japan while the North American release was a Sega Channel exclusive.

The game has been subsequently re-released (along with many other Genesis/Mega Drive titles) for Playstation 2 and PlayStation Portable as part of the "Sega Genesis Collection". It was also re-released on the Wii Virtual Console in Japan on September 4, 2007, and in PAL regions on October 5, 2007. It was released on the North American Virtual Console on October 22, 2007.

Description

Damud Hellbringer, the Prince of Darkness, has taken away the Golden Axe and put an evil curse over all the warriors. However, one of the heroes has their curse relieved and is sent to set things straight - lift the curse off the others, defeat the villain and return with the Golden Axe.

The gameplay has been expanded slightly but is essentially the same hack n' slash as the previous games. New features to the series include new characters, new moves (special attacks, teamwork attacks and teamwork magic spells) and junction points where you can choose which path to take.

The characters include a giant, Braoude Cragger (プラウド・クラッガー), a humanoid black panther Chronos "Evil" Lait (クロノス・”イビル”・レート), along with a swordsman, Kain Grinder (カイン・グリンダー), that resembles Ax Battler, and a swordswoman Sarah Barn (サラ・バーン) that resemble Tyris Flare. Gilius Thunderhead is the only character that appears from previous games, though he isn't playable and only appears during cut-scenes. Kain Grinder and Sarah Barn are mistakenly referred as Ax Battler and Tyris Flare respectively in the Sega Channel localization of the game.

Gameplay

While in the two previous games, the only attack options were a regular slash, charge, jump attack, running jump attack, and back attack, Golden Axe III added a grab/combo, a 'forward back attack', and a downward swipe. Furthermore, there were several abilities unique to certain characters: for example, the Braoude could throw, while the Chronos and Sarah could double jump and wall jump. Finally, each character had a super-move with its own unique button combination.

Some features were returned to the title that had been cut in previous sequels. Golden Axe III brought back the thieves from the original game, rather than the mages from Golden Axe II. Also, extra lives could be gained by freeing prisoners scattered throughout the levels. The magic system was returned to the original version where all pots are used at the same time, as opposed to the improved system in Golden Axe II that allowed the player to only use as many spellbooks as they wanted.

Production

Limited Release

Upon completion, Sega felt the game was less marketable outside Japan/Asia. As a result, the cartridge unit was only released in Japan, while the US release was a Sega Channel exclusive.

Playable enemies

Apparently, the way the game works allows players to control the enemies in the game through the use of patch codes. Whether or not the enemies themselves were intended for actual gameplay use is unclear. [http://xcult.sonic-cult.org/dispart.php?catid=16&gameid=8&subid=1&artid=1 X-Cult // Sega Genesis/Megadrive // Golden Axe III // General Information // Playable Enemies // ] ]

References