Legendary Axe

Infobox VG
title = Legendary Axe


developer = Victor Interactive Software
publisher = NEC
designer = Tokuhiro Takemori ("designer")
release = flagicon|Japan September 23, 1988
flagicon|US 1989
genre = Platform
modes = Single player
platforms = TurboGrafx 16/PC Engine
input = 8-way joystick, 2 buttons

"Legendary Axe" ("Makyō Densetsu" in Japan) is a horizontal platform video game for the PC Engine/TurboGrafx 16 console, developed by Red/Atlus and published by Victor in 1988. The Japanese name is loosely translated to "Legend of the Demon World". In late 1987, the game was first announced by Hudson Soft under the title "Jungle Ō" ("Jungle King").

tory

The game is about the warrior Gogan which was ruled by the half-beast evil cult ruler Jagu. Your friend Flare has been kidnapped by the leader of the group, and you must rescue her. The town's elder provide Gogan with the ancient and spiritually powerful Legendary Axe.

Gameplay

There are six action oriented levels in the game, and each level ends with a boss. The character collects power-ups and four separate types of gems, which enhance the Legendary Axe, the only usable weapon in the game.

Reaction

The title received the honor of "Game of the Year" in 1989 by reputable video game publication "Electronic Gaming Monthly". The style is influenced by games like Rastan, and fans did accept the fact that the ideas and concepts were not unique. Though it was well put together, featuring arcade sized enemies that were extremely well drawn in 2D and caused no graphics overloading. It was as close to an arcade game without deriving as an arcade port. The game also captured the TurboGrafx 16 fans attention due to its timely release alongside some of the more memorable games at the system's popularity peak. A sequel was made in Legendary Axe II, though not originally titled as such.

Trivia

The arcade game "The Astyanax" by Jaleco, released in 1989, bears some surprisingly strong similarities with "Legendary Axe". Apart from its superior graphics and linear level design, its gameplay and enemy patterns are almost identical to Victor's game. Tokuhiro Takemori, designer for "The Legendary Axe", worked on The Astyanax.

creenshots

External links

* [http://hg101.classicgaming.gamespy.com/legendaryaxe/legendaryaxe.htm Hardcore Gaming 101: "The Legendary Axe"]