Golden Axe: Beast Rider

 Xbox 360
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
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  1. relik
    Apr 21, 2009
    1
    What an absolute kick in the teeth to fans of the original. I thought I'd give it a go as I got it on the cheap and I enjoy most hack and slash games, but no... the reviews are right... this is terrible. I couldn't face anything past the second level.
  2. 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 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 thanI'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.… Expand
  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 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.
  4. 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 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.
  5. RaelXX
    Oct 16, 2008
    8
    I'm actually surprised by this game. The combat system is enjoyable with its somewhat different defense system. Tyris sword hits hard and painful and that's good enough. The mount system is only a little difficult to use because of the creatures' movement, though it's very rewarding if well used. Tyris is also a fashion amazon as it seems she enjoys using different I'm actually surprised by this game. The combat system is enjoyable with its somewhat different defense system. Tyris sword hits hard and painful and that's good enough. The mount system is only a little difficult to use because of the creatures' movement, though it's very rewarding if well used. Tyris is also a fashion amazon as it seems she enjoys using different clothes on different occasions, like our friend Starkiller.… Expand
  6. JohnS.
    Mar 1, 2009
    10
    This game is so amazing, I'd go as far to say it is the best game to ever grace the Xbox, this makes master chef seem like a turd. If you don't buy this game you're doing yourself a disservice, not to mention your duty to the good of this world. If they could manage to put this on the Wii it could be even better cause Fox could play with you and your Mii. PS:those reviewers This game is so amazing, I'd go as far to say it is the best game to ever grace the Xbox, this makes master chef seem like a turd. If you don't buy this game you're doing yourself a disservice, not to mention your duty to the good of this world. If they could manage to put this on the Wii it could be even better cause Fox could play with you and your Mii. PS:those reviewers are completely biased.… Expand
  7. Dr.S.
    Nov 9, 2008
    10
    allow me to begin by stating that my hands and fingers are gigantic and i cant help but strike 8 keys with every stroke. i am so filled with furious anger by the 19 lbs pile of suck called golden axe, that i typed this with my nose. id rather spend six months rolling around naked in a dumpster filled with dead hobos and razor blades in the middle of july than play another minute of this allow me to begin by stating that my hands and fingers are gigantic and i cant help but strike 8 keys with every stroke. i am so filled with furious anger by the 19 lbs pile of suck called golden axe, that i typed this with my nose. id rather spend six months rolling around naked in a dumpster filled with dead hobos and razor blades in the middle of july than play another minute of this hot sweaty pile of jiggling phlegm. but it had a really good camera system.… Expand
  8. twos
    Nov 28, 2013
    1
    This game makes a mockery of the original golden axe arcade classic, whilst it has features adapted to a modern game which are meant to draw you back to the good old days with that beautiful chuckle of nostalgia they are few and far between and were executed with so much more style and entertainment 25 years ago when golden axe graced lives. Game was utterly dismal I gave it a 1 for theThis game makes a mockery of the original golden axe arcade classic, whilst it has features adapted to a modern game which are meant to draw you back to the good old days with that beautiful chuckle of nostalgia they are few and far between and were executed with so much more style and entertainment 25 years ago when golden axe graced lives. Game was utterly dismal I gave it a 1 for the hour of entertainment I got out of it.… Expand
  9. NickB
    Oct 23, 2008
    8
    A great brawler with a little action rpg fun thrown in, and a fun continuation of the franchise. The main downside is lack of multiplayer co-op; if the game had that it would have been perfect. The modelling is well done, the controls are smooth enough that even a guy like me who played the very first Golden Axe as a teenager can figure it out, and the beast mastery is a lot of fun, A great brawler with a little action rpg fun thrown in, and a fun continuation of the franchise. The main downside is lack of multiplayer co-op; if the game had that it would have been perfect. The modelling is well done, the controls are smooth enough that even a guy like me who played the very first Golden Axe as a teenager can figure it out, and the beast mastery is a lot of fun, although some of the beasts seem to be made of tissue paper. Much better than the critics suggest, and makes me wonder if some of them even bothered to play more than a few minutes of it. For the type of game it is (action rpg brawler) this is pretty good.… Expand
  10. VladC
    Aug 31, 2009
    8
    Most of the reviewers didn't play this game for long. Once you figure out the controls, the combat works really well. I was surprised how much fun I had with this game after reading all the negative reviews. You can pick this up cheap use, and I highly recommend it.
  11. SonicEnthusiast
    May 1, 2022
    4
    This game insulted me. I love golden axe, always have, but to see such an idiotic excuse for an extremely rare retro revival hurt me. One of my greatest disappointments not just in video games but life for flip sake. I lost my faith in sega for years after this. Do not recommend unless you are incredibly desperate for a combat base game.

Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

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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
  1. 3DJuegos
    58
    Golden Axe: Beast Rider confuses the tribute to retro with the flat and boring gameplay. The new game of SEGA is mediocre in every aspect, and comes as a failure in its attempt to recover a legendary name and turn it into a worthy product of Next-Gen platforms.
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  2. 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.
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  3. 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.
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