One of the biggest tragedies in gaming is when, for what ever reason, a gamer dismisses a game they would have otherwise loved without giving it a chance. In the case of Golden Axe Warrior, there were two reasons. The first was that it breaks from traditional Golden Axe beat 'em up mold in a very big way. Waiting two years for the next instalment of your favourite sword swinging, dragon humping, dwarf filled action game, only to receive a cute looking top down adventure game would be difficult for any person to take. The second and far more common reason is that Golden Axe Warrior is one of the most blatant clones in the history of video games.

Clone is a very dirty word. It implies lack of creativity, inferiority, bandwagon jumping, and gives the impression that it is not worth the time. The first may be true in this case, but the rest couldn't be farther from the truth. Golden Axe Warrior does what other clones fail to do, it recreates one of the most memorable gaming experiences of the 8-bit era, The Legend of Zelda. Not only does it reproduce nearly every aspect of Zelda, it greatly improves many of them. If you can see beyond the clone tag, you will find one of the best adventures the Master System has to offer.



You play as a young warrior whose parents have been killed by Death Adder, the evil giant who has stolen the nine crystals that once protected the world from him. Death Adder has hidden these crystals in nine different labyrinths across the three continents that make up Golden Axe Warrior's overworld. Once all nine crystals have been collected a tenth labyrinth will open, a giant maze containing Death Adder and the legendary golden axe required to defeat him. Our hero begins his journey in the graveyard of his home town of Miliver. From here you are free to explore the 225 unique screens that make up the overworld.

The gameplay is the same in most ways to Zelda. You start out with a standard sword and weakest shield and armour. Given no real clue of what to do or where to go, your only choice is to start randomly exploring the surrounding area. Scattered through each is a familiar collection of hostile baddies, conveniently colour coded to indicate their strength. A second weapon, a battle axe, can be found in the first labyrinth and this and the sword can be upgraded to stronger versions as the game progresses. There is also four different magic spells which can be acquired from people throughout the world. Each of the ten labyrinths contains an important item, like a canoe, candle, etc.,and a boss to defeat. After defeating the boss you will gain one of the crystals. Nearly every screen in the overworld has some sort of hidden stairway or secret that appears from either killing every enemy on screen, using the axe to chop down trees, or using some magic.




So where are the differences between Golden Axe Warrior and Zelda? Well the first improvement becomes apparent on the second screen of the game. There are ten different towns to find, all of which contain buildings, stores, a place to sleep and save, and people who have more than half a sentence to say. There is a greater sense that this was at sometime a kingdom populated with people with perspectives, not just a monster infested world where people hide in caves and have nothing substantial to say. Golden Axe Warrior has less weapon choices than Zelda. No bombs, no boomerang, just a sword and an axe. This is offset by the addition of magic, four different spells with different effects. This doesn't really simplify the fighting at all, it just changes the way you approach the enemies. The controls feel more responsive than Zelda's, running in and quickly slashing an enemy seems easier. This is very welcome because Golden Axe Warrior is hard. You will die often, especially as you reach the later dungeons.

The music in this game is excellent. The title theme creates a very epic mood which is rare on the Master System. The overworld and town themes are catchy and don't seem annoying after listening to them for the 200th looped time. Perhaps the best theme of all is the dungeon theme and I doubt very much that anyone can play through an entire dungeon without nodding their head to it.

The most obvious and drastic improvement over Zelda is the graphics. They are some of the most rich, colourful, and detailed on any 8-bit system. Grass and flowers can seen, the ground and water have detail not just a solid colour, every sprite is beautifully drawn and animated. It gives Golden Axe Warrior it's own visual style and is what will separate it from Zelda in the minds of most.




Those Zelda fans who once dismissed Golden Axe Warrior are now presented with a unique opportunity. A chance to play ten new levels of their favourite game format. A new setting, new weapons, more characters to talk to, more dungeons to explore. A chance to play a game which successfully captures the feeling of exploration and adventure that so many people fell in love with when playing as Link. If you have ever wished you could forget everything you know about Zelda and play it again for the first time, here is your chance. If you can put your Zelda nostalgia to the back of your mind you will find a game that is ever bit as enjoyable, if not more.