Battle Axe | PS4 Review

Bitmap Bureau's "Battle Axe" is a proper tribute to the bygone era of arcade co-op games. Almost to a fault. Harboring a small host of fantasy heroes and heroines along with a quest to rid their world of an oppressive evil presence Battle Axe does good to bring to the player a fun time in the form of a formidable adventure. As a Dark Elf, a Marauder, or a Druid you must use your attacks in hack 'n slash fashion to deal with spawning lesser enemies, and end stage bosses. All while rescuing dudes, and damsels in distress. Equipped with a unique to character melee attack, projectile, and ability each hero or heroine deals damage while taking damage if not careful. Like the arcade cabinet experiences of yesteryear death comes quick, and often times alongside that dreaded GAME OVER screen if one doesn't mind the onscreen chaos. Should you reach a top score, or beat the game though all is not lost. There's plenty of trophies to unlock, and a couple of modes on two different difficulty settings to play through. Good for quick pick up, and put down sessions in single or two player mode.

Battle Axe looks, plays, and feels like it were a co-op arcade cabinet style game from the late 80's to early 90's. The art is beautifully crafted by veteran pixel artist Henk Nieborg. Done up in an isometric view with the utmost attention to detail, and animation. With it also comes a soundtrack, sound bytes, and sound effects that harken back to days gone by. Voices will no doubt remind of old arcade games with that raspy digital effect that's barely human in nature, but understandable all the same. 

Gameplay-wise Battle Axe isn't the grandest of all action games, but what it does do is offer fun in spades. Though burdened by the occasional framerate drops your adventure in either modes of play will be one worth returning to. You have the option of playing through adventure mode as one of three unique characters that each have their own unique ability, melee attack, and projectiles. Tools which come in handy according to enemy type. Each character also has a color palette swap at the selection screen. Giving the players options if they choose to go co-op with the same character. Along with the basics of combat comes the item usage, and looting. Part of what the game is about is collecting dropped coins, and gems to add to a players' growing score. By making proper use of your three base attacks along with weapon and healing style single use items you can last long enough to amass a wealth of loot, and rank high on the game's local leaderboards. That being said your character does have a limited stock of lives, and health. Both of which are easily lost of not careful.

When it comes to adventure mode the gameplay loop is your basic clear the enemies, save the NPCs needing rescue, and defeat the end boss affair. Stages, on average, aren't huge in scale but do offer a proper challenge especially with the two tier difficulty. You see in Battle Axe there is only an EASY or HARD setting. No in between. Making the enemies tougher to take down on the higher difficulty setting, and their respawning more frequent. As you hack, slash, and shoot your way through you will be earning loot, and score. It is the score that you end up with that has the potential to land you high on the local leaderboard listing if you are good enough.

Beyond Adventure Mode lies Infinite Mode in which the gameplay loop changes completely. In this mode it's all about earning alphabetical ranking, and a top score as you complete each stage's underlying requirement. That requirement being the rescue of all the NPC prisoners. After rescuing them all a portal will open up for exit sake, and you'll be rewarded for your time spent, enemies killed, and other key stats. Upon a GAME OVER there will be a final tally, and a final alphabetic grade. With 'A' being the best, and 'E' the worst. Also worth mentioning is the witchy vendor that will sell you items in each stage. Helping to prolong your playthrough through health refills, and weaponized ways to deal with the ever spawning mobs of enemies.

For those looking to go beyond the standard Adventure Mode upon initial completion there is a New Game+ option at the main menu with it's own perks ...

The Verdict ...

It is obvious that Battle Axe was meant as tribute to classic arcade experiences, and to that end it does well. Perhaps a little too well at times. There are points in the game where aiming at enemies for attack seems less than accurate due to the multi-directional aiming in the given isometric perspective. There's also points where the odds seem stacked against you as if you were actually playing one of those old arcade quarter munchers (aptly named, because they eat a lot of your quarters for continuation). Visually though it is a nice game to behold, and even the little things like individual prisoner voices as well as the announcer voice adds to the games impressive quality. There is fun to be had with Battle Axe, and it's likely even more fun with a co-op partner. Definitely a game for retro gaming enthusiasts!