Golden Axe: Beast Rider

 Xbox 360
Metascore
45

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 33 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 33
  3. Negative: 21 out of 33
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  1. Cheat Code Central
    48
    It's a hack-and-slash, so there isn't any compelling depth lurking under the surface. The extra modes – Challenge and Trials of Tyris – are just extended hack and slash sessions. Where's the two-player support?
  2. Xbox Achievements
    48
    A repetitive and badly made game that makes me wonder if the series has any kind of future. This game feels extremely rushed and just can’t compare to games of a similar ilk.
  3. Planet Xbox 360
    46
    Beast Rider deserves a place in the gaming hall of shame, easily one of the worst titles on 360 and with an obscene price-point to boot.
  5. PTGamers
    45
    Lacking co-op and the rest of the cast, Beast Rider seems more like a market study than the complete Golden Axe experience we could expect.
  6. Xbox World 360 Magazine UK
    45
    Another 'classic' Sega franchise turns to bum gravy. Sonic, eat your heart out. [Jan 2009, p.67]
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  7. Xbox World Australia
    44
    Let's get serious; Beast Rider is a game to be avoided.
  8. Games Master UK
    42
    Stamps on our fondness for the original until all of the squishy bits ooze out of the sides. [Christmas 2008, p.73]
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  9. GamePro
    40
    Fans hoping for a worthwhile update to one of gaming's most revered hack-and-slash franchises will be sorely disappointed by this poorly designed and utterly mediocre title.
  10. Official Xbox Magazine
    40
    We expect a few things from a modern arcade-style brawler: reasonably placed checkpoints, more than one playable character, varied enemies, and multiplayer. Golden Axe: Beast Rider, Sega’s reinvention of the arcade classic, delivers none of them. Perhaps the worst oversight of the bunch is the lack of multiplayer options.
  11. X-ONE Magazine UK
    40
    While you may enjoy the combat and beasts, the whole game is just far too tedious and it’s missing everything that made the original great.
  12. G4 TV
    40
    While the counter-attacks and the beasts add something to the lacklustre gameplay, everything else from cameras to enemies makes it a chore to slog through one end of a level to another.
  13. Thunderbolt
    40
    The combat can be fun, but ultimately it’s rather boring and uninspired, the beasts are sluggish and unresponsive, and the defence is just plain annoying.
  14. GameZone
    40
    Poorly conceived and quite dull in nearly every way, Golden Axe: Beast Rider is one of those missed opportunities that could have brought the series to a new generation of gamers. Instead it takes a linear route that makes this a game even Golden Axe fans will certainly want to avoid.
  15. VideoGamer
    40
    Golden Axe is the latest classic franchise to disappoint on new hardware, and we can't help but think it's a huge wasted opportunity. Beast Rider even fails to include multiplayer support, something that was core to the original game, confirming its fate as a sub-par hack 'n' slash.
  16. GameFocus
    35
    Beast Rider makes all the right attempts to become relevant again (3-D, bloody combat) but stumbles so badly on the fundamentals that you wished the game was axed from development to begin with.
  17. IGN
    32
    This is a game worth avoiding like the plague, even if the classic remains deep and warm within your heart.
  18. Eurogamer
    30
    SEGA might as well have released this as The Adventures of Fiery Boob Lady, and left their mothballed franchise with at least modicum of dignity.
  19. Gamer.nl
    30
    If you ever plan to design a hack & slash-game, you should definitely play Golden Axe: Beast Rider. It's the perfect example of what not to do.
  20. Gamestyle
    30
    If you need a Golden Axe fix you can get the original game with co-op on XBLA for 400 points, and we guarantee it’ll be a more enjoyable experience than Beast Rider, which has only served to put another nail in the coffin of one of Sega’s biggest hits.
  21. WonderwallWeb
    29
    Even writing about Golden Axe: Beast Rider is depressing me, the sooner I get this game out of my head the better, and all I can say to those nostalgic fans out there who want a taste of the new Golden Axe is, keep those good memories of yesteryears game in your head and avoid this game at all costs.
  22. 1UP
    25
    With the exclusion of co-op -- what people really want to play -- and the constant hint that a sequel's already on the way, Beast Rider feels like a difficult, drawn-out, $60 tutorial. Why bother?

Awards & Rankings

89
#89 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2008
59
#59 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2008

User Reviews

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User Score
5.9

Mixed or average reviews- based on 37 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 37
  3. Negative: 12 out of 37
  1. aspentitan
    Sep 30, 2021
    7
    I've never played the original or previous golden axe games and after giving this game a try I'm perplexed at the low scores. I was expectingI've never played the original or previous golden axe games and after giving this game a try I'm perplexed at the low scores. I was expecting a simple hack and slash and found that this game surpasses what I was expecting. With a counter system and the ability to ride beasts with different abilities and enemies which can knock you off your beast and use them this game can get deeper than most trivial button mashers. I surmise the low scores have two reasons for appearing. Number one is the Sacred 3 effect....the game is not the same as previous games within the series and is being leashed out against. Number two goes hand in hand with number one and that is people don't want to evolve in their gameplay. I'm guessing this game had too much to learn in way of how to get good at the game. It's very important to learn the counter system and I can guess that stubborn fans who would rather bash the new system then learn it would rather just bash the game and say how terrible it is. When I reviewed comments on this game it seems players of more recent dates are scoring this game higher than those who reviewed it at launch. Another third reason for the low scores are a competition factor towards God of War. Looks like with a health and mana system this game was viewed as a terrible sister or brother to that hugely successful game. After letting this game stew 10-15 years losing that comparison and viewing it as it's own entity and merits this game is much better than it was examined back in the day. Not saying this is a hidden gem but it clearly is not a 4/10 game which it got. For me, an enjoyable and surprisingly good unexpected find. Not mind blowing but a decent game. It is a solo game and my only real issue with it is that it is broken up in very small chunks which kinda all feel like tutorials and on top of that the in game menu where you are at seems lacking. Looking back to YouTube videos what Golden axe was this game is a dramatic improvement so much so that I can't see anyone ever wanting to play the original again unless using only two or three buttons is your ideal gaming heaven. I'm giving Sega the win on this one, not players.… Full Review »
  2. DaredadCrust
    Sep 5, 2013
    6
    If you find this game cheap, it's worth giving it a shot. Once you get used to the combat, it can be pretty fun. You also get to ride on aIf you find this game cheap, it's worth giving it a shot. Once you get used to the combat, it can be pretty fun. You also get to ride on a couple monsters, which makes the combat better. The graphics, the camera and the music are pretty good. The two big problems are the lack of online play and the game is also very repetitive.… Full Review »
  3. GidBix
    Apr 6, 2012
    6
    Much to my surprise, I found this game to be pretty fun. While absolutely nothing like the original, it did offer a lot of fan service andMuch to my surprise, I found this game to be pretty fun. While absolutely nothing like the original, it did offer a lot of fan service and ingenuity that I wasn't expecting. It's definitely rough around the edges, but its cheap enough now that you should be able to get your $10 worth no problem.… Full Review »
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