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Golden Axe: Beast Rider ps3 Game Reviews
Golden Axe: Beast Rider
Critic Score
Metascore: 44 Metascore out of 100
User Score  
5.2 out of 10
based on 29 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
based on 9 votes
Read user comments
Rate this game

Golden Axe: Beast Rider delivers action-RPG thrills as a small band of Riders embark on an epic adventure to recruit allies, expose the enemy and prevent the annihilation of their breed. Delivering an intense and unique combat experience, players charge into battle on the backs of ferocious beasts or take their chances with the enemy while on foot. Fighting skill, wits and even magic are all called into action as players immerse themselves in the struggle to defeat an evil intent on enslaving the remains of civilization. [Sega]

PUBLISHER: Sega
DEVELOPER: Secret Level
GENRE(S): Action, Role-Playing Game
PLAYERS: 1
ESRB RATING: M (Mature)
RELEASE DATE: October 14, 2008

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

70
GameDaily
The graphics and sound are great, and the numerous challenges and arena modes offer some diversity. If you're up for a quick hack-and-slash game, rent it. If you want a game with depth, however, this Axe needs sharpening.
Read Full Review
62
GamingXP
There has not been a real development concerning the gameplay of Golden Axe: Beast Rider. Graphics are quite good, also the sound of the game.
Read Full Review
60
Game Informer
Eschewing the expected hack-n’-slash mindlessness, a timing-based evasion and blocking system is required to master the melee. It’s not enough to save an otherwise lackluster effort, but Secret Level was definitely on to something with the combat.
Read Full Review
58
Game Revolution
The Golden Axe name is liable to do Beast Rider more harm than good.
Read Full Review
58
3DJuegos
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.
Read Full Review
55
Jolt Online Gaming UK
While it’s kind of cool to see a new take on such an old game, the presence of a muddy palette and outdated game mechanics combined with the inexplicable absence of co-op makes Beast Rider forgettable and so much less than it could have been.
Read Full Review
55
Ferrago
Unfortunately the main gimmick of the game is pointless at best and frustrating at worst. There are challenge modes available after the game is completed and extra costumes to unlock, but nothing to offer real replay value.
Read Full Review
55
GameTrailers
Tyris is likeable enough, but generic and uninspired gameplay manage to reduce everything in Golden Axe: Beast Rider to the lowest common denominator. It’s simply not fun--offering very little incentive to keep playing.
Read Full Review
50
GameSpot
This halfhearted revival attempt leaves Golden Axe lifeless and dull.
Read Full Review
50
Gameplayer
Above all, there's the sense that every aspect of the game has been designed not to challenge, but to frustrate. Like the witch doctors who can summon rocks to fall from the sky and crush you, or the just-barely-visible bear traps scattered about.
Read Full Review
50
Thunderbolt
As you attempt to cut through your enemies in grisly fashion you’ll recall a simpler time, where you rode a purple chicken and kicked gnomes in their fannies.
Read Full Review
50
Worth Playing
I don't believe that there's anything inherently wrong with Sega trying to do something different with the series, but by taking away a feature that many fans wanted and offering nothing compelling in exchange, Beast Rider will have a hard time appealing to both series fans and those who are just looking for a decent action game.
Read Full Review
50
games(TM)
It’s a perfectly playable game, but a frankly boring one that quickly becomes a chore to play. [Christmas 2008, p.102]
49
PSX Extreme
Golden Axe: Beast Rider isn’t a very good game. It’s not quite as bad as some critics have claimed – it can be fun for a little while, and the combat system is relatively ambitious – but it’s certainly not worth your $60.
Read Full Review
48
Cheat Code Central
The problem comes when you stare too long: there are constant screen tearing and randomly dropped frames.
Read Full Review
45
PTGamers
Lacking co-op and the rest of the cast, Beast Rider seems more like a market study than the complete Golden Axe experience we could expect.
Read Full Review
40
GamePro
Add in tired and repetitive level designs, a lackluster story and the general absence of fun and you have a title that isn't worth playing. [Dec 2008, p.95]
40
MEGamers
What may have seemed like a good game during the development process turned out to be a game that’s destined for the wastelands.
Read Full Review
40
VideoGamer
Golden Axe is the latest classic franchise to disappoint on new hardware, and we can't help but think it's a huge wasted opportunity. Beast Rider even fails to include multiplayer support, something that was core to the original game, confirming its fate as a sub-par hack 'n' slash.
Read Full Review
40
G4 TV
While the counter-attacks and the beasts add something to the lacklustre gameplay, everything else from cameras to enemies makes it a chore to slog through one end of a level to another.
Read Full Review
40
Playstation Official Magazine Australia
A game destined for the chopping block. [Summer 2009, p.78]
40
Playstation Official Magazine UK
It's not worth it, mate. [Christmas 2008, p.116]
39
Console Monster
The original Golden Axe is available almost everywhere these days and this is about a thousand times more fun than this poor excuse.
Read Full Review
35
PSM3 Magazine UK
It's descended into a dismally unimaginative hack-and-slash affair. [Christmas 2008, p.86]
35
GameFocus
Beast Rider makes all the right attempts to become relevant again (3-D, bloody combat) but stumbles so badly on the fundamentals that you wished the game was axed from development to begin with.
Read Full Review
32
IGN
This is a game worth avoiding like the plague, even if the classic remains deep and warm within your heart.
Read Full Review
30
Gamer.nl
If you ever plan to design a hack & slash-game, you should definitely play Golden Axe: Beast Rider. It's the perfect example of what not to do.
Read Full Review
30
Playstation: The Official Magazine (US)
If that wasn't bad enough, the glitchy, jerky graphics are further ravaged by a spastic camera that literally had me woozy at times. [Holiday 2008, p.84]
25
1UP
With the exclusion of co-op -- what people really want to play -- and the constant hint that a sequel's already on the way, Beast Rider feels like a difficult, drawn-out, $60 tutorial. Why bother?
Read Full Review

What Our Users Said

Vote Now! The average user rating for this game is 5.2 (out of 10) based on 9 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Dan gave it an8:
This game is totally underrated. It looks like another critic feeding frenzy where they all get to pile on a game to show how tough of reviewers they can be. The game isn't perfect, but I've found it to be very satisfying and quite challenging. My biggest gripe with the game is that the camera can be frustrating when you're backed into a corner. The combat depends heavily on being able to see and counter your enemy's attacks and sometimes it gets zoomed in so close that you cant tell what they're coming at you with. The solution? Try to stay out in the open more- it's not a game-breaker. Tyris is hot. The beasts are cool. And there's plenty of over-the-top blood and gore. Overall, it's a good game- especially at the bargain bin pricing that it's now found at.

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