Legendary Axe vs. Legendary Axe II

[FraGMarE]

Which one of these TG16 platformers do you prefer?  They have radically different feels and artistic styles due to them being different games in Japan, but are both similarly themed.  The poll has begun! 

[Arkhan Asylum]

Your poll has begun!

hahhahafreihfeiufhehf

I like LA2 more but this is an unfair comparison.

[Samurai Ghost]

I know a lot of people prefer the first one, and I agree it's a fantastic game, but I love the graphical style and variety of the second game. Different weapons, and a bit more variety in the levels. The first game is a LEGEND though and both are essential for any TG16/PCE owner!

[FraGMarE]

Shouldn't be unfair if the poll is simply about how you feel subjectively about each game.  I'm simply asking what everybody thinks is a better overall game.  i.e., what you personally have more fun playing.  For that matter, I could ask the same thing about two games that are WILDLY different, like Street Fighter II and Son Son II.  Both are great games, but I personally find SF2 more fun to play.  That being said, LA and LA2 are clearly in the same genre of side-scrolling hack-n-slash platformers, so comparing the two should be slightly easier.

I went with Legendary Axe 1.  LA2 has better sound, but I was never a big fan of the graphical style in LA2... too much "pillow shading" and weird color choices.  I'm not saying LA1 has killer graphics.  In fact, when I first played LA1 20 years ago, I was pretty underwhelmed with the graphics.  The main factor, however, was the fact that LA1 seemingly has more responsive controls.  In LA1, if you press the jump button you jump almost immediately (2 game ticks).  In contrast, in LA2 if you press jump, it pauses a split second before you jump (a full 6 game ticks before you get airborne).  That gets annoying in certain parts of the game, especially near the end.

[Senshi]

I voted for Legendary Axe 2. I like the control of the character a little bit better. But I only give it a slight edge.

[majors]

Hated LA2 when I first saw/played it, still do. The original LA one is on my "must have" list for any new Turbo owner. I love the style of the graphics and music.

[TurboXray]

Legendary Axe 2 for me. The pixel art is a mixed bag. I like the overall dark look of the game, but it needs more unique tiles or graphics to help split it up. I like the controls in LA2 better as well. It feels more faster paced action and reaction. The range of different weapons helps too. LA1 is more take your time, time your hits. It's slower paced. The bosses are cooler in LA2. Too bad there wasn't a sequel to LA2, in the same style but better graphics and on SuperCD.

[Bernie]

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....

[Senshi]

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.

[Samurai Ghost]

I like the graphics of both games. The second one is so dark and medieval, while the first game is much more organic and primitive. Plus with the way they did the tiles and backgrounds on LA1, it's like the pinnacle of 8-bit graphics rather than early 16-bit graphics, which makes it look really amazing in the context, if you can follow.

As far as gameplay/controls go, I think both games are great but do it differently. I find LA2 to be much more responsive and fast-paced. I can hop around like a maniac destroying enemies left and right in a bloodbath of action. In LA1 you have to be much more calculating. If you rush into a situation, whether it be dealing with enemies or platforming sections, you'll meet an early death. I appreciate both styles of gameplay. I find LA1 to be a calculating game where you have to use strategy a bit more and use your wits and patience while LA2 is a more of a hack-n-slash action-fest with immediate satisfaction. Both have their place and time so its really hard to choose between the two, but since there are few other games on the PCE/TG16 that offer the same level of high-paced action, even with such a broad selection of platform/action games, LA2 really stands out to me.

[Bernie]

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.

Shit, my father loves video games.  We played tons of shit and still do.  From Super Mario Bro. to Zelda, Dragon Warrior, Final Fantasy, all the way up to current systems.  He played Final Fantasy X and fell in love with it.  

Also, was LA2 meant to be a sequel to LA1?  I read/heard somewhere that they just used it as the sequel here in the states, but that it was its own game in Japan.

[Samurai Ghost]

Well, they are obviously different games but they were released by the same developer (Victor Interactive) and Ankoku Densetsu was the sequel to Makyo Densetsu.

Looking back game companies used to try a lot of different things when they made a sequel to a successful title, sometimes successfully, sometimes not (Castlevania 2, Zelda 2 come to mind) But to me it was always better this way, to play a new kind of game rather than a rehash. Nowadays if a game is successful you can be sure the sequel will be exactly the same with slightly upgraded graphics and different levels/missions, or a DULL REHASH as I would call it.

[FraGMarE]

Yea, I see where you guys are coming from with saying LA2 is faster paced and a more care-free type of hack n' slash.  The attack animation in LA2 (at least the sword and the flail) is also a bit faster than LA1.  When you have the sword, it's pretty much insta-slash.  The jumping delay in LA2 just bugs me sometimes.  The added play mechanics in LA2 are a welcome addition, though.  The various weapons and bomb attack in LA2 are nice to experiment with.  I do, however, like the speed-up and charge attack in LA1.  Adds a little bit to it, imo.  There really should have been a third game in the series with all the best qualities of 1/2.

[Arkhan Asylum]

Legendary Axe 1 has a more cavemang feel to it, obviously.  Sometimes I like that more.  I can't really pick.

Golden Axe is better.

=3

[FraGMarE]

The arcade version of Golden Axe is glorious.  It's like Conan the beat-em-up.  Plus, kicking the shit out of elves for power-ups is genius!  

[Arkhan Asylum]

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?

[CrackTiger]

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.

[Nazi NecroPhile]

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

[VestCunt]

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.

[TurboXray]

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:  https://www.chrismcovell.com/secret/MD__1990Q3.html#vasum

[Alt-Nintega]

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:  https://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.

[SMF]

O I almost forgot, I went with LA1. No reason cept I enjoy the game more the LA2.

[Lilgrafx]

I like the level design, control, and music in LA1 much more than LA2. The level design and bleak colors in LA2 kinda suck.

[Shrapnoid]

I chose LA1 because it provided a great over-all sense of adventure, great action/strategy techniques, decent graphics, beautiful music, interesting and sometimes large bosses and fun power-ups.

I too noticed the similarities between this one and Astyanax but, until now I didn't know that Astyanax came later.
Another weird thing that Jaleco did that seems to coincide with this subject was to ripoff Victory Run as well with their arcade racing game, Jaleco Rally.
Jaleco Rally is so much like Victory Run that it's just hard to believe.

LA2 was fun too but, I have to agree about the annoyance of the slower jumping starts which can really become bothersome in some areas where you have to jump up shafts and do it just right without falling all of the way back to the bottom.
I never like the way the main character walked when he carried the flail either or his graphical appearance. It was a lot like what Fragmare said.
Also the weapon choices weren't setup well and the best weapon over-all was the sword instead of the Axe which was slow and extremely short-ranged.
Furthermore, the Snake bosses animation was too choppy and the story didn't really seem to have any connection to the original game but, other than that the rest of it was okay and the over-all graphics and sound were very good but, I'd rather play the first game any day.   

[ccovell]

Another weird thing that Jaleco did that seems to coincide with this subject was to ripoff Victory Run as well with their arcade racing game, Jaleco Rally.
Jaleco Rally is so much like Victory Run that it's just hard to believe.

I don't know what people's opinion of Jaleco is in the West, but in Japan Jaleco has always had a reputation for releasing budget titles and copies of popular genres.  It's their whole MO.

Victory Run -> Jaleco Rally
Final Fight -> Rushing Beat
Super Mario 3 -> Ninja Jajamaru / Squashed
Chase H.Q. -> Cisco Heat
Megaman -> Totally Rad
etc.

[sheath]

Legendary Axe is a game that compels me to play it all on its own, I can't say I love it or play it frequently, but it screams everything I like about side scrolling action games.  For some reason I don't like Legendary Axe 2, and by the time I played it I really wanted it to be something I would like.  I haven't tried it yet on real hardware, so maybe that will do the trick.

[Arkhan Asylum]

Another weird thing that Jaleco did that seems to coincide with this subject was to ripoff Victory Run as well with their arcade racing game, Jaleco Rally.
Jaleco Rally is so much like Victory Run that it's just hard to believe.

I don't know what people's opinion of Jaleco is in the West, but in Japan Jaleco has always had a reputation for releasing budget titles and copies of popular genres.  It's their whole MO.

Victory Run -> Jaleco Rally
Final Fight -> Rushing Beat
Super Mario 3 -> Ninja Jajamaru / Squashed
Chase H.Q. -> Cisco Heat
Megaman -> Totally Rad
etc.

I always thought Jaleco was pretty retarded,even at a young age, because all their NES carts had JALECO with that stupid looking circle on the spine-label, instead of the name of the game.

Fortunately, I also realized most of their games sucked, so it stopped being a problem. 

"Jaleco?  Who cares what game it is, it probably sucks"

[Shrapnoid]

Another weird thing that Jaleco did that seems to coincide with this subject was to ripoff Victory Run as well with their arcade racing game, Jaleco Rally.
Jaleco Rally is so much like Victory Run that it's just hard to believe.

I don't know what people's opinion of Jaleco is in the West, but in Japan Jaleco has always had a reputation for releasing budget titles and copies of popular genres.  It's their whole MO.

Victory Run -> Jaleco Rally
Final Fight -> Rushing Beat
Super Mario 3 -> Ninja Jajamaru / Squashed
Chase H.Q. -> Cisco Heat
Megaman -> Totally Rad
etc.

I always thought Jaleco was pretty retarded,even at a young age, because all their NES carts had JALECO with that stupid looking circle on the spine-label, instead of the name of the game.

Fortunately, I also realized most of their games sucked, so it stopped being a problem.  

"Jaleco?  Who cares what game it is, it probably sucks"

I forgot about that. I always hated that too. I mean, how are you supposed to know what game to pull out off of your bookcase or out of your storage rack if you can't see the games title?
It was like they were so full of themselves that they had to constantly remind you of just who it was that made that game. What a bunch of morons!

EDIT: Covell, I didn't know that they did other ripoffs. Thanks for pointing that out.

[nat]

Yeah, that logo coupled with the name itself just screams "second-rate."

I never knew much about them, but just one glance at the logo told me all I needed to know.

[Arkhan Asylum]

Yeah, that logo coupled with the name itself just screams "second-rate."

I never knew much about them, but just one glance at the logo told me all I needed to know.

I did like playing Cyberball with friends (due to robots), but it does suck really bad.

and also really liked Astyanax and Ninja Jajamaru-Kun...

RodLand was a decent, but shitty attempt at one of my favorite arcade games. 

The rest was pretty lame and had better alternatives.  like Shatterhand, that one was retarded.

and all the bases loaded games.  God damn those are dumb.

[guyjin]

Pardon my raining on the Jaleco hate parade, but they did bring Bomber King (Robowarrior) to the US, and I'll always appreciate them for that.

[Arkhan Asylum]

Yeah I guess.

Shit was still kinda retarded though

[Senshi]

Bases Loaded was great. At least I could hit the ball in those games. In "the show", not so much.

[Arkhan Asylum]

The best baseball game on NES was that Little League one

and Baseball Stars. 

[DragonmasterDan]

The best baseball game on NES was that Little League one

and Baseball Stars. 

Baseball Stars definitely.

[Shrapnoid]

Bases Loaded was pretty good and Astyanax was fun even if it was a clone but, I've never been able to really get into hardly anything else that they made.

[Dyna138]

Legendary Axe I and II are two of my favorite turbo games going back to when I was a kid. Back then I liked Legendary Axe II more, but I think it may have been cause the game was easier. Nowadays I like part 1 more than I used to and now I like them equally. I still love the dark tone of part II, the music and the freaky "what the hell just happened...?" ending.

Both are solid fun games that I enjoy replaying every now and again.

[T2KFreeker]

One of the great things about both games also is that both work very well on the Turbo Express. They aren't one of the games that really makes you wonder why you are trying to play it on that handheld.

[esteban]

I love BOTH games. Both are "must haves" as far as I am concerned.



DEAR LORD, I AM DISMAYED BY ALL THE LA2 TRASH-TALKIN'!

I'm serious. I am genuinely surprised that there isn't more love for LA2: it is truly a gem and stands on its own. Character design, atmosphere, music, play mechanics--ALL GLORIOUS. It is so difficult to effectively create and maintain a brooding atmosphere in a video game, and LA2 pulls it off so god-damned wonderfully. The "electric generator" stage (climbing upwards on metal platforms as lightning strikes) is one of my favorites when it comes to atmosphere. Every element of that stage, no matter how small the detail, contributes to the bleak and somber mood.

Legendary Axe 2
I love running around, hacking-and-slashing in a frenzy. I've never had a problem with controls. Jumping is fine!
Top 10 chiptune soundtrack of all time.
High attention to detail (polished!) makes it that much more endearing. Love was put into this game. LOVE, you cruel f*cks.

Legendary Axe 1
* I love this game, too.
 
* As folks have correctly pointed out, it has a much slower pacing. nodtveidt likes to rag on the coldet (collision detection) ad nauseum, but I've never really had a problem with it (upon playing the game, you quickly realize what strategies work and you never look back. this does not detract from the game in the slightest).

* Top 10 chiptune soundtrack of all time. LOVE!

* I got a monkey on my back--no, not a meth habit. An actual monkey. Keranu and I love the Pits of Madness. NO OTHER VIDEO GAME, ON ANY PLATFORM, HAS LITTLE MONKEYS THAT LOOK SO PERFECT AND INSTILL SUCH DREAD. I purposefully fall into the pits just to see the cute demons of brain-munching, back-biting death.


BOTTOM LINE: I could not vote for only one. They are both divine in their own way.

[ParanoiaDragon]

I love both for different reasons.  Both have great soundtracks IMO, though I prefer LA2.  Just the bass alone in the music is incredible for a Turbo game as it can't hit like the Genny can unfortunately.  I think generally I like the gfx in LA1 better(seems to have more detail), but I do like the setting & mood of LA2 ouside of that skull level.  I actually do tend to get depressed with that level between the music & the gfx, it's a bit much for me.  I do wish LA2 had quicker jumping, however, it feels much easier to slip & fall in LA1.  At times, I feel like the jumping in LA1 is ..a bit overdone I guess?  I'm not sure how to phrase it, I just don't feel like I'm in as much control in LA1, maybe Gogan jumps are too fast while in the air??

[rag-time4]

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.

I'm gonna have to applaud Keranu's opinion. Axe 2 is certainly a well made game... Axe 1 just has a certain magic to it.