Golden Axe is a classic fantasy brawler built on simplicity: heavy swings, co-op chaos, and mythic spectacle. Elden Ring, on the other hand, represents modern fantasy design at its most deliberate—where weight, atmosphere, and intention drive every encounter. A Golden Axe remake doesn’t need to copy Elden Ring’s difficulty or structure, but it can absolutely learn from its design philosophy. This breakdown explores how Elden Ring’s approach to combat feel, enemy design, worldbuilding, and boss encounters could modernize Golden Axe while preserving the raw, arcade-first identity that made the original legendary.
1. Weight, Commitment, and Hit Feedback Matter More Than Complexity
Elden Ring’s combat works because every swing commits you. Animations have follow-through, hits land with authority, and enemies react convincingly. Golden Axe combat often feels floaty by comparison. A remake should prioritize: heavier attack animations, clearer hit-stun and knockback, and enemies that visibly stagger, panic, or recover.
No stamina meters required—just weight and consequence.
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2. Enemy Design Over Enemy Quantity
Classic Golden Axe relies on swarms. Elden Ring proves fewer, smarter enemies are more engaging than endless fodder. A remake could: reduce enemy counts, give enemies distinct behaviors (grapplers, shielders, disruptors), and make minibosses feel threatening instead of tanky
Every encounter should feel intentional, not disposable.
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3. Environmental Storytelling Can Replace Exposition
Golden Axe has mythic bones but thin storytelling. Elden Ring shows how ruined castles, corrupted landscapes, and enemy placement can tell a story silently. A remake could: use background ruins to hint at past wars, show Dragon Lords’ influence through the world itself, and let levels evolve visually as Death Adder’s power spreads
Less text. More atmosphere.
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4. Boss Encounters Should Be Mechanical, Not Just Bigger Sprites
Elden Ring bosses succeed because they test spacing, timing, and positioning—not just endurance. Golden Axe bosses often boil down to “hit it more.” A remake should: introduce multi-phase bosses, give clear attack tells, and encourage positioning and co-op coordination.
Bosses should feel like climaxes, not damage sponges.
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5. World Structure: Semi-Open Paths Instead of Straight Lanes
Elden Ring thrives on choice within structure. Golden Axe doesn’t need a full open world, but it could benefit from: branching level paths, optional side encounters, and risk-reward detours for magic, mounts, or allies.
Think curated freedom, not sandbox sprawl.
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6. Magic Should Feel Mythic and Scarce
Magic in Golden Axe is iconic but often spam-able. Elden Ring treats magic as powerful, situational, and thematic. A remake could: limit magic use more strategically, make spells visually transformative, tie magic to world lore and character identity.
When magic fires, it should feel legendary.
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7. Death and Failure as Learning, Not Punishment
Elden Ring respects failure as part of mastery. Golden Axe traditionally punishes harshly. A remake could: implement fair checkpoints, encourage replay and experimentation, and reward learning enemy patterns.
Challenge should feel demanding, not cheap.
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Final Take
A Golden Axe remake shouldn’t become a Soulslike—but it should inherit Elden Ring’s respect for weight, intention, and atmosphere. Fewer enemies, stronger feedback, smarter bosses, and a world that tells its own story would elevate Golden Axe from nostalgic brawler to modern mythic action game.
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