I wasn't even born when SEGA's change-chewing monster Golden Axe was first released in 1989, but that doesn't mean I haven't encountered the classic side-scroller in my time, heck, I even went to the effort of getting all of the achievements in the Xbox Live Arcade re-release. Its sequel, Golden Axe II, managed to recapture most of what made the original an instant gaming icon. However, anything that followed was less than desirable, as SEGA slowly allowed the once proud franchise to continually fall through the ranks. Beast Rider is anticipated by SEGA to be the restoration of the franchise, is this the case? I'm afraid not. Beast Rider is sadly a compilation of dated hack n' slash gimmicks.

Beast Rider places you in the familiar boots of Tyris Flare, the voluptuous Amazonian warrior from the games of old. Also returning from Golden Axe is the evil tyrant that is Death Adder, along with his band of merry minions fixing to make your life hell (but hey, if you're playing Beast Rider, you probably have it coming). But really, the story of Beast Rider isn't all that bad, it's about all you can expect from a hack n' slash title. It's a full on medieval tale of your typical motivations; vengeance, redemption and a simple hankering to kick some arse. You'll be spoon fed a lot of the story through FMV sequences at the start of, and between, levels. If you're keen to find out some of the finer details, however, you'll be wise to find scrolls scattered throughout the levels that'll be holding little nuggets of back story and valuable information. All in all, Beast Rider has a bearable story, it's over the top and if you're a fan of the mysticism of medieval times, you'll probably find something that'll pique your interest here.

Beast Rider goes about the usual routines when it comes to hack n' slash gaming. You've got your typical standard and stronger attack prompts along with the magical abilities that can be fitting for a Golden Axe title. Because the game plays more like a Devil May Cry title than the predecessors in the franchise, side-scrolling is a thing of the past it seems. The combat is monotonous however, and in place is a rather questionable reversal system where you are expected to monitor any of three colours that'll flash on an opponent before he goes to strike. If it's an orange move attempt, you can press a shoulder button to evade, whereas a blue coloured move is to be parried by way of the other shoulder button. On easier enemies a green flash will appear, indicating a wildcard choice where you choose whether to evade or parry. Like I said, this is a questionable design decision for a Golden Axe game and it can be needlessly confusing when you're surrounded while taking on a variety of foes constantly changing their attack choices.

As you'd expect, Beast Rider contains all of the usual, thoughtless puzzle sequences that any player with a quarter of their brain could work out. From lighting a series of torches to opening a door, to ‘power-kicking' a deserving adversary onto a ‘sacrifice alter' that requires blood to grant entrance. If you struggle in the early stages, worry not as you'll soon get the hang of it all as the game is simply littered with these recycled puzzle options.

Of course the gimmick of Beast Rider is in its name. As promised, Tyris has the ability to mount an assortment of beasts scattered throughout the game's universe. While they jerk about like a shopping trolley with no wheels, these portions of the game are probably the most fun you'll come across in your experience with Beast Rider. It's mostly bland, yes, though I must admit that riding atop an enraged Mirigore can be stupidly cool as it has an uncanny ability to, oh I don't know; tear anything a second bog-tunnel! Sadly, Beast Rider's selling point hasn't paid off in this instance as the majority of the bareback action is clumsy and often short-lived as a beast's strong-attack (which you'd clearly want to spam) drains said beast's health at an alarming rate.

After a player exhausts the single player story mode (or it exhausts you, whatever comes first), they have a couple of extras on their hands such as a ‘Horde' like mode, aptly named Trials of Tyris, where you take the sword to wave after wave of baddies. Sadly, doing so doesn't net you any worthwhile rewards except a couple of achievements for clearing all sixty waves. It's a rather superfluous distraction away from the story, and you probably won't find yourself notching up too many hours in there. Beast Rider can be rather difficult at times; there are key moments that are perhaps too difficult. These are prime examples of a poor and often unfair A.I. engine that is frustrating to say the least (for example, on many occasions you'll find yourself surrounded by thick numbers of relentless enemies and with no realistic way to avoid being beaten into a bloody stump).

It'd be rather generous of me to call Beast Rider a ‘looker', but that's not to say it's an ugly game by any means. In fact, it's passable if anything. While the landscapes are rather bland and horrendously linear (invisible wall city, folks), the character models can often be rather attractive. The developers decided to place emphasis on two apparent appeals; sex appeal, and visceral gore. The former isn't something I look for in a video game, myself, so we'll skip most of the little details, but it's quite clear Tyris Flare is designed this time around to be the Lara Croft of the medieval realm with suggestive camera angles shot from through her legs shamefully tempts the imagination in an interesting conflict of interests. But one thing I am comfortable talking about is the bloody, bloody gore! And there's no shortage of it here. Often seeming Kill Bill inspired, limb removal often results in copious amounts of blood squirting all over the shop. It's rather spectacular and was an odd highlight in an overly disappointing affair. The aforementioned beasts are well designed, and the characters (and beasts) of old have transitioned well into the next generation.

There isn't too much to say about the audio in Beast Rider, except that for the most part it's rather abysmal. The voice-acting is just terrible, no matter who is delivering the line, plus the script is poor throughout the game's entirety. The musical score isn't at all terrible, although it never really gets it's time in the limelight to shine, so it goes unnoticed and sadly rounds up the half-hearted, medieval wreck that is Beast Rider.