Battle Axe

 PlayStation 4
User Score
5.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 4 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 2 out of 4
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  1. brachypelma44
    Sep 15, 2021
    3
    I very much like the idea of a new Golden Axe-style arcade game. However, this game probably isn't going to stay in my collection for long. Why?

    1) The absolute worst flaw that this game has is that it's an overhead view, but the camera is zoomed in too close to your character, with no way to adjust it. This means that you'll be taking cheap hits regularly from offscreen enemies that    I very much like the idea of a new Golden Axe-style arcade game. However, this game probably isn't going to stay in my collection for long. Why?

    1) The absolute worst flaw that this game has is that it's an overhead view, but the camera is zoomed in too close to your character, with no way to adjust it. This means that you'll be taking cheap hits regularly from offscreen enemies that you aren't given a fair chance to react to. You're almost bumping into them the first time they come on screen, and some of them shoot projectiles. Again, not hard...just unfair.

    2) Infinitely respawning enemies. They are popping up around you every 2-3 seconds, no matter how many you kill. It gets rather annoying, and to be honest, it feels like they just want to slow your progress down to mask the fact that this game is only 4 levels, and those levels are on the short side.

    3) You get 3 lives and NO continues. What? Even the hardest of arcade machines let you continue if you put another quarter in. Not this game. Just because you spent $40 on it (which is 160 quarters, by the way) doesn't mean you get to continue if you run out of lives. This should absolutely be a setting in the options.

    4) The music is harsh and grating. Look, just because some old arcade games had music like this doesn't mean that you have to make the music downright nasty in your arcade-style game. I love retro gaming in general, and plenty of music from old games is really good. You will want to turn the music off within 5 minutes. Complete fail.

    I'll give it a few points for having an OK art style and decent animation. There is no online multiplayer, and I haven't tried local co-op. In its current state (where I have no desire to ever play it again) I can't go higher than 3/10. I will keep my copy for a little while, hoping that they fix some of this stuff via patch.

    My advice: Buy the Sega Genesis collection and play Golden Axe. You'll have a way better time with that game, and also get lots of other good games, and the entire package is cheaper than Battle Axe.    … Expand

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 6 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. PLAY
    May 29, 2021
    80
    It often leans harder into its retro inspirations than is perhaps completely necessary, but Battle Axe is still a fitting tribute to the golden era of coin-operated arcade romps. [Issue#2, p.73]
  2. PlayStation Universe
    May 9, 2021
    75
    Battle Axe offers a nostalgic arcade hack & slash experience with it's beautifully created sprites, levels, and bosses. Beating your high scores in Battle Axe's arcade mode and infinite mode will keep you busy for hours. The levels offer a diverse variety in enemy types and obstacles, but the game can get somewhat repetitive after a few playthroughs. Where the game ultimately falls short is in the controls and camera, which further adds to the game's challenging difficulty. Also, the absence of online multiplayer is a shame.
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  3. Push Square
    Apr 28, 2021
    70
    There's replay value to be found in the Hard difficulty setting, or chasing 29 Trophies for a Platinum, as well as an unlockable New Game+ challenge. Yet, even the inclusion of an extra Infinite Mode highlights how the core gameplay becomes repetitive, plus the four main areas of Arcade Mode can be beaten in less than an hour. If the idea of exploring to save villagers reminds you fondly of Zombies Ate My Neighbors, or perhaps you remember isometric arcade brawlers like Dungeon Magic and Wizard Fire, then the nostalgia conjured up from Battle Axe mixing together two formidable old genres may still hack-and-slash its way into your heart.
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