(5/29/2014 - 6/4/2014) Game of the Week: The Legendary Axe

[SamIAm]

---------------------------------------------------
May 29 - June 4: The Legendary Axe
---------------------------------------------------

(Chosen by Damon Plus)

Released in Japan just before the PCE's first birthday in '88, The Legendary Axe is definitely one of the coolest and most gracefully-aged games from the TG-16 launch. It's pretty remarkable when you compare it to other games from the same period, whether you were in Japan or America.

Whether you've played it to death or haven't yet gotten around to try it, it's going to be hard to come up with an excuse for not playing this one!

By the way, if I don't get any more game suggestions by Saturday night, I'm going to do a reset. All users who have submitted one game so far will be able to submit another. However, no games that have been submitted may be repeated. Capiche?

---------------------------------------------------
GOTW Schedule:

January 15-21: Battle Royale (TheClash603)
January 22-28: Drop Off/Drop Rock (esteban)
January 29-February 4: Bonk's Adventure (roflmao)
February 5-11: Silent Debuggers (vestcoat)
February 12-18: Somer Assault (BigusSchmuck)
February 19-25: Splatterhouse (FiftyQuid)
February 26-March 4: Bloody Wolf (Jibbajaba)
March 5-11: The Lost Sunheart (Gogan)
March 12-18: Sapphire (BlueBMW)
March 19-25: Energy (PunkicCyborg)
March 26-April 1: Air Zonk (_joshuaTurbo)
April 2-8: Veigues Tactical Gladiator (Punch)
April 9-15: 1943 Kai (lukester)
April 16-22: Lords of Thunder (munchiaz)
April 23-29: Ninja Spirit (csgx1)
April 30 - May 6: Bomberman (SamIAm)
May 7 - May 13: Pyramid Plunder (Black Tiger)
May 14 - May 20: Galaga 90' (nullity)
May 22 - May 28: JJ and Jeff (geise)
May 29 - June 4: The Legendary Axe (Damon Plus)
June 5 - June 11: OPEN!!

Rules:
-All members are allowed one submission. When there are no further submissions, we will have a reset and everyone will be able to submit another game.
-Each game may only be submitted once.
-If you wish to retract your submission, please do so at least two weeks before your game is due. Your next submission will go to the back of the cue.
-Please don't submit games that have a high language barrier or will take too long to complete (particularly RPGs).
-Please don't submit games that are too expensive. Below $50 is best. Above $100 won't work.

(If you have any questions or comments about the GOTW system, please either PM me or post in the old thread)

[Phase]

I'll throw in Aero Blasters for next week.
Well i didn't get very far in JJ and Jeff last weekend (made it to 2-something  )
time for some Legendary Axe!!

[galam]

Why not LA2 for next week for a good apples to oranges comparison.
I like Aero blasters for the following week.

[Phase]

Why not LA2 for next week for a good apples to oranges comparison.
I like Aero blasters for the following week.

hmm..that could work 

[geise]

I will have some time this weekend finally.  So I will have to play this some.  It's honestly been ages. 

For next week I vote for Buster Bros. Splash Lake, or Side Arms

[Punch]

I'll vote for an awesome game, so it's Final Zone II for next week(s)!

I will have some time this weekend finally.  So I will have to play this some.  It's honestly been ages. 

For next week I vote for Buster Bros. Splash Lake, or Side Arms

GUNBOAT!!!

That's what I'm talking about.

[esteban]

Last night, instead of working on stuff, I played some LEGENDARY AXE.

I still love the music in this damn game..so f*cking rich (layered, but without getting mushy and discordant) and each tune TRULY complements/matches each stage...which really helps creating a mood/atmosphere.

I have over-played this game (I can crush it in my sleep), but I do remember being incredibly frustrated by the swinging vine segment early in the game (I just didn't understand the rhythm of the vines). I reckon newbies might hate losing lives because of a vine.

I remember I had to create a "map" (flow chart) of the last stage with multiple path rooms.  Once you figure a route to the end, you can experiment with alternate paths.

MOST SATISFYING MOMENT: I've said this before, but hitting tough opponents (especially final boss) with a fully charged axe is SUCH A  GODDAMNED GOOD FEELING. Too few games provide such a satisfying feeling for landing a NICE, SOLID HIT.

WISH: I wish I could play the game as Flare (the damsel). It would have been a nice option. We see Flare's sprite at the end, but the frames of animation (walking/attacking/jumping) were never created.

OR: Samus on second loop, meet Flare on second loop.

[fragmare]

Of the two LA games on the TG16, I prefer this one.  Such tight and responsive play control and very engaging level design for such an early 16-bit title.  The music fits the game perfectly and the graphics are even fairly decent for a very early PCE game.  Definitely one of the best TG16 platformers.

[Damon Plus]

Legendary Axe started quite good enough for me, but it has grown to become a top5 Turbografx game for me. Its a basic platformer at heart, but the hit and run gimmick adds a layer of complexity that is welcome.  Graphics and sound form a pretty good jungle atmosphere that sets the complete package. Lenght is perfect too.

[fragmare]

Why is the GOTW Schedule not split off into a separate sticky? 

[esteban]

Even if folks aren't playing this game, at least listen to the goddamn exquisite music:

http://archives.tg-16.com/music_database.htm?col=jp&val=mak  (Makyou Densetsu)

[roflmao]

I played this some today and had a blast!  I'm terrible at it, though.  Only made it to the 3rd level. :/ I'll try to spend some more time with it before this GOTW ends.

[galam]

Im going at this on the express.  Im terrible at it, but i keep coming back for moar!

[Phase]

yeah this game makes me mad, I also haven't got past area 3 recently..F those damn hawks..some of the enemies are just frustrating. some more complaints are I don't like the hit detection/area of damage its like you have to swing early and let the bad guy run into your axe and the area of damage is too small. the other problem i have is the sensitive jumping, I hold the button down and he still jump low sometimes it seems. Things did improve on both accounts when I used a newer control pad instead of my more worn out main controller I usually use.
so if you have a newer pad use it on this game.

I still like the game and will play it some more this week 

[schweaty]

I played this some today and had a blast!  I'm terrible at it, though.  Only made it to the 3rd level. :/ I'll try to spend some more time with it before this GOTW ends.

its a game of patterns.  patterns for the enemies, patterns for the bosses, patterns for the jumps, patterns for the levels.  once you know all the patterns cold, it gets much easier.  you will find yourself breezing past sections that drove you nuts until you figured them out.