Ah, Golden Axe... the mere mention of the name happily tugs at this writer's heart-strings. It harks back to the days before you even knew there were such things as 'games magazines' (let alone online resources) and would buy a game simply on the strength of its cover, happily whiling away the hours of summer in a hot, sweaty room, glued to a screen displaying poorly animated 2-D barbarians. Ahem. Those were the days.
Anyway, the much beloved arcade beat-em-up is finally making its return to our homes (we're discounting 2003's Sega Ages incident, in case you were wondering). This latest entry to the series is developed by SEGA's Secret Level studio and the team there is taking a back to basics approach. Players will charge into battle on the back of ferocious beasts or take their chances on foot, fighting for the very survival of their species. Players will get an intense and unique fighting experience, chock full with hack 'n' slash action and plenty of dismemberment as they battle to prevent the enslavement of all civilisation. Like you do.
Tyris Flare, the Amazonian woman from the original, is leading the charge. Death Adder, a villain named for another time, is the big baddie of the piece, with sweeping fantasy vistas providing the backdrop.
This game comes with a strong pedigree, a scantily-clad heroine and flying limbs. What's not to love?