Sega Rapidly Announced Five New Games at 2023 the Game Awards
/At The Game Awards 2023, Sega just rapidly announced five projects currently in development for classic franchises — Jet Set Radio, Crazy Taxi, Streets of Rage, Shinobi, and Golden Axe.
You can check out the reveal below.
The trailer features early gameplay footage of each new mentioned, bringing back classic franchises that have been long forgotten. None of them was given the official titles of the new game but it’s great to see the visual direction they are taking in each of these projects.
For those unfamiliar with these classic franchises, Sega provided descriptions of each one based on past titles.
Crazy Taxi
This driving game series first appeared in arcades in 1999. It has since spawned numerous titles and been ported to the Dreamcast and a variety of other consoles. Players would assume the role of a taxi driver and have to race through the city to deliver passengers to their destinations, all while performing crazy stunts to earn more points. The series offered players an exhilarating and dynamic driving experience that was distinct from traditional racing games at the time.
Golden Axe
A fantasy action game set in a medieval realm, where the protagonists embark on a quest to avenge their loved ones and slay a malevolent entity wielding the Golden Axe. Originally released as an arcade title in 1989, the series has spawned eight installments to date. Golden Axe was critically acclaimed for its immersive depiction of a fantasy world, featuring visually stunning spell animations that filled the screen and the ability to mount dragons and other fearsome beasts.
Jet Set Radio
A street action game was released for the Dreamcast in 2000. Players glide through a fictional rendition of Tokyo on inline skates, spraying graffiti across the city. The game's unique visuals and innovative gameplay have made a lasting impact, generating excitement that endures to this day.
Shinobi
Since its arcade debut in 1987, this action game series has enjoyed immense popularity with over 10 installments released to date. Featuring a diverse array of adversaries from robots and mutants to colossal monsters, players would take on the role of a present-day ninja in his battle against the crime syndicates and ninja clans who held sway over the criminal underworld.
Streets of Rage
A side-scrolling beat 'em up game series that made its debut on the SEGA Genesis in 1991. Former police officers Axel and Blaze, along with other characters, battle a crime syndicate to restore peace to the city. The game's multifaceted combat system, combined with its catchy soundtrack, garnered widespread acclaim. The fourth installment in the series, released in 2020 after a 26-year hiatus, became a significant success with sales exceeding 1.5 million units worldwide.
Life is Strange: Double Exposure brings back Max Caulfield with new time-manipulation powers, but struggles to capture the original’s emotional weight. While the dual-timeline mechanic is engaging, the story’s weak twists, forgettable characters, and technical issues hold it back. A nostalgic revisit, but not a standout entry in the series.