Legendary Axe vs. Legendary Axe II

[Arkhan]

I like using Tits, or whatever her name is.

[rag-time4]

I think they each have different strengths...

Axe 1 wins on challenge, atmosphere, level design, and music.

Axe 2 wins on graphics and control.

Axe 1 took a few sittings for me to get through, especially the long stages in the middle of the game. Axe 2 i cleared on my first sitting. Some of the music from axe 1 really stands out, especially the maze level.

Overall i go with axe 1

[fragmare]

Quite honestly, a good conversion of the Jaleco arcade game The Astyanax, complete with 2p co-op, would probably have been better than either LA1 or LA2, or at least would have made a great LA3.  The Astyanax was basically Legendary Axe - Arcade Edition.  The play mechanics are nearly identical.

How did Astyanax end up so similar to Legendary Axe anyway?  Did Jaleco just outright rip off Victor (LA1 was released first), or did they share some of the same developers?

[Black Tiger]

I love Legendary Axe's aesthetics and gameplay, except for the cheap spots and maze stage.

I only played through LAII as a rental bitd and didn't think much of it. The visuals were a turn off for the reasons fragmare mentioned, coupled with some goofy art. Some of the weapons seemed tacked on and not thought through. I haven't written it off though, as I'm waiting to play through it again with fresh eyes. It's just hard to get myself to try again when I've got dozens of great games to play for the first time in years.

[DesmondThe3rd]

Legendary Axe 1 all the way. LA2 doesn't even deserve to be named the sequel.

[Necromancer]

I prefer Legendary Axe I just for the music, but I honestly don't care for either all that much.

[vestcoat]

LA1 all the way.  I like the simple, crisp colors, punchy music, and the basic strategies demanded by the single weapon.

In LA2, the dreary backgrounds actually make me depressed.  I bought this game when I was twelve and came down with a cold as I started to play it.  Also, the protagonist shows too much skin.  The hero in the first game looks like a caveman and that's fine.  The second dude looks like a sweaty, modern white guy in a loincloth.  And he's vaguely doughy, like the kind of guy who works out, but still drinks too much beer.

[bartre]

I gotta go with LA2, i always had more fun playing it, i guess that's a result of it being a faster paced game.
both excellent, though.

[Bonknuts]

I actually didn't care for LA1 BITD when it was new. I had it, but I or none of my friends ever really played it. It was in the pile of the 'meh' games. I mean, first impression and first level - it was great. But after that, meh. It wasn't until decades later that I gave it a real try/play through. I never did beat it, though. That maze level is the most annoying crap ever. Way too long IMO. LA2 definitely had some areas that needed improvement, but overall is was a much more fun game. And the unique parts of LA2 just out shined whatever unique stuff LA1 had (at least to me, they were more appealing). I actually tried to get rid of my LA1 BITD. I tried to return it back to PlayWorld. They wouldn't take it

[ccovell]

...released by the same developer (Victor Interactive) and Ankoku Densetsu was the sequel to Makyo Densetsu.

Victor was the publisher.  The developer for LA1 was Aicom.  The developer for LA2 was Atlus.  They were not programmed as sequels, more like shoehorned in by Victor.

LA1, Astyanax, and so on were related by having the same game director in charge.  An unreleased MD game called Dando/Vasum could literally be called part 3 in the series:  http://www.chrismcovell.com/secret/MD__1990Q3.html#vasum

[frozenintears]

I never played any of them. Just have a question tho. Which one of those games is more affordable? I am looking to buy one.

[fragmare]

LA1, Astyanax, and so on were related by having the same game director in charge.  An unreleased MD game called Dando/Vasum could literally be called part 3 in the series:  http://www.chrismcovell.com/secret/MD__1990Q3.html#vasum

Oh, wow!  Vasum does look like a direct sequel to Legendary Axe/Astyanax!  Even has the same art style.  I knew Astyanax had to be related to Legendary Axe in some way.  The two are just too similar to discount.  The fact they had the same director makes a lot of sense.

[Keranu]

I have to give a very slight edge to LA1, based off personal preference. Solving the enemy patterns was a blast and the pits of madness were awesome. I think I even like the music more, but I admire LA2's quality.

[HercTNT]

I love both games but prefer the second. The dark atmosphere and music appealed to me abit more than the caveman like look of the first.

[SMF]

Im going with LA 1.  My only reason worth mentioning is because its one of the games my dad had when he had a TG-16 way back when.  We played the shit out of that game.  I had him over a few weeks ago and he was looking at my collection.    Memory lane....

That's impressive. I don't think my dad could even handle Mario.

My dad loved Mario games, he hated when they started going 3dish and would always ask to lend him my SNES so he could play AllStars. Also he loved Shoot em ups on the TG 16 R.I.P. pops.