Golden Axe, an iconic video game that graced our arcades and homes in the late 80s and early 90s, gifted us with three memorable characters to choose from: the mighty warrior Ax Battler, the powerful amazon Tyris Flare, and the seemingly diminutive dwarf, Gilius Thunderhead. Yet, while each character brought unique skills to the battlefield, there’s a compelling argument to be made for Gilius Thunderhead being the best character of the trio. Despite his small stature, Gilius embodies the true essence of a hero and steals the spotlight with his distinct advantages.
Firstly, Gilius Thunderhead was unique in his ability to strike a fine balance between speed and power. While Ax Battler was strong, he could often be too slow, especially against nimble enemies. Tyris, while fast, often lacked the raw power required to deal with larger foes. Gilius Thunderhead, on the other hand, walked the middle path, exhibiting both strength and agility in equal measure. His compact size gave him the advantage of being difficult to hit, while his axe swung with a force that could be rivalled only by Ax Battler himself. This perfect blend of speed and power made Gilius an ideal choice for players who wanted the best of both worlds.
Secondly, Gilius Thunderhead boasted the most effective magic in the game. Although he had fewer magic pots than the other characters, the power he commanded with his thunder magic was unparalleled. His magic was not only visually stunning but also devastating to enemies. Each spell was a spectacle, a flash of light followed by a screen-wide assault that wiped out enemies in a single strike. Tyris and Ax may have had more magic pots, but they often needed to use all of them to achieve the same level of destruction that Gilius could with just a couple.
Moreover, Gilius Thunderhead’s character design and personality were as impactful as his abilities. His small stature and fierce demeanor belied a strength and determination that were truly inspiring. His gruff, no-nonsense attitude, combined with his unwavering dedication to vanquishing evil, made him a truly compelling character. Gilius was the underdog who rose above his limitations, a testament to the fact that true strength comes not from physical prowess alone, but from the courage and determination within.
Lastly, Gilius Thunderhead’s gameplay offered a unique challenge that made Golden Axe even more enjoyable. Mastering Gilius required a strategic approach, as players had to make the best use of his speed, power, and magic to overcome the game’s various obstacles and enemies. This added a layer of depth to the game that made playing as Gilius both challenging and rewarding.
In conclusion, Gilius Thunderhead is a testament to the fact that size doesn’t always matter in the realm of heroes. His balanced attributes, formidable magic, and indomitable spirit make him a character worth celebrating in Golden Axe. Whether you’re revisiting this classic or experiencing it for the first time, remember: underestimate the dwarf, and you may just find yourself on the wrong end of a thunderbolt.
This blogpost was created with help from ChatGPT Pro
Christopher Finlan 