Regarding many of the “reviews” on Sega’s Golden Axe: Beast Rider: Be wary. The majority of these people (can’t call them critics) either didn’t complete a fraction of the game, don’t understand game design, or just plain suck at games. The words “Hack ‘n’ Slash” are an instant red flag. Beast Rider is anything but. Mindlessly flailing in frustration because you can’t get the game's simple controls/timing down is no way to play the game. Most gamers out there who would buy Beast Rider are far better players than the people rushing through a level or two to write these sad reviews; a sad but ever pervasive sign of the times. The character designs are the polar opposite of Heavenly Sword's decidedly ornate and flamboyant combatants. Beast Rider’s are primitive to say the least and segue into decidedly dark depths Heavenly doesn’t probe (being a completely different universe and all). The only comparison you can draw to Heavenly is the color-coded enemy attacks, although Beast Rider’s are much simpler as they are one of many tactics including deflection, spell casting, wielding the Golden Axe at each interval of its growth, dodging, special chains that annihilate entire swarms, and of course beast riding. The beasts, if you know how to use them, are an amazing part of the game. They take a little practice and skill to dial-in (which they should) but once you do they become an intricate part of the game. The beast models seem almost alive with skin actually stretching over bone and more detail than any other creatures you have or will ever use as a means of attack. They are also key in unlocking certain paths and treasures and used tactically become an amazing piece of an altogether beautiful puzzle.

I too was less than impressed with the early levels of the game but soon learned they were fairly rudimentary for good reason; to ready you for the tactical action game ahead.

It’s a travesty to Sega fans and gaming that such rubbish is counted on critic sites that for the most part echo the opposite opinions of real gamers. This is why market trends are a disaster. The video game “press” that once was is greatly diminished in this country and game publishers criteria for sending out preview and review code is in need of a complete overhaul. Any review conducted at a “review event” should be noted and they are becoming more and more prevalent (we don’t and will not base reviews on a game we played at a kiosk in a room full of media and PR. Real gamers that buy games sit down and master them and that is the only way to properly review a game. The game industry going down the wrong path is greatly influenced by exactly this type of “review” which is happening more and more frequently. Igor is a 3; maybe even a 1 or a 2. But to score Beast Rider below a 7 is just irresponsible. These are not valid “opinions” of professional gamers. It’s painfully obvious these people have at best grazed the surface of the overall game which by action gaming standards is anything but short. Avoid critic sites like the plague. Once upon a time to work as a game journalist at a magazine (before online) you had to be so exalted a gamer that you deserved the right to tell gamers what to buy. This is no longer the case, especially online. There are great reviewers out there; but they are few and far between and they don’t review games at events. Do these people have a right to their opinion? Of course; it’s whether or not they should have the right to affect yours that’s in question.

Unbelievable; I shudder to think what’s coming next.