Retro Game: Golden Axe III

Overview

Golden Axe III is the final chapter of the iconic beat 'em up trilogy on the Sega Genesis. This installment introduces a brand new threat, the Prince of Darkness, Damud Hellstrike, who has stolen the legendary Golden Axe and put a curse upon the world's mightiest heroes. To counter this, four new warriors rise to the challenge: the swordsman Kain Grinder, the swift Sarah Barn, the giant Proud Cragger, and the panther-man Chronos "Evil" Lait. The game expands the classic formula with new characters, deeper combat, and, for the first time, branching paths that offer different routes to victory.

Background

Released exclusively in Japan in 1993 for the Sega Mega Drive, Golden Axe III was a title many Western gamers initially missed out on. It later became accessible to international audiences through the Sega Channel subscription service and subsequent console compilations. As the concluding entry on the 16-bit platform, it represents the most technically advanced and feature-rich game in the original series. It aimed to add complexity and replay value to the established beat 'em up gameplay, setting it apart from its predecessors.

Gameplay

Golden Axe III refines the core gameplay with a host of new mechanics. The most significant addition is the introduction of branching paths, allowing players to choose their route at certain points in the game, leading to different levels and encounters. The combat system is much deeper, featuring new special moves, blocking, and grappling for each of the four unique characters. In cooperative mode, players can perform powerful joint magic attacks. The familiar magic system returns, allowing heroes to unleash screen-clearing spells by collecting spellbooks. The objective is to fight through hordes of monstrous enemies, save the cursed heroes, and ultimately confront and defeat Damud Hellstrike to reclaim the Golden Axe.