Golden Axe Warrior is basically Sega's answer to Zelda, but with its own little twists. You get that same top-down adventure vibe—hacking through bushes, bombing walls for secrets, and collecting better gear as you go. But it’s got this heavier RPG flavor, with towns full of people to talk to and a bit more story than you’d expect.

At first glance, yeah, it looks like a straight-up clone (even the overworld music feels familiar). But once you dig in, there’s some neat stuff—like magic spells you mix and match, or how dungeons ramp up in complexity. The combat’s simple but satisfying, especially when you finally get your hands on that golden axe.

If you’re into old-school action RPGs, this one’s a hidden gem on the Master System. Just don’t go in expecting it to reinvent the wheel.