*** THE CASUAL GAMER ***
| Main | Rating: Garbage |
Maximo: Ghosts to Glory
Maximo is one hard game. I am not anywhere near beating the game, but I can already say that this game is one cheap shot after another. I think I made it to the third level before I felt frustrated enough to want to pick up my entire PS2 and throw it against the wall.
I have a love/hate relationship with this game. The actual gameplay is pretty fun; you get to use a sword and a shield to defend against and attack enemies. Gameplay also consists of platform jumping and some special moves. It is a pretty solid little 3D game engine. The problem lies in the level design, along with some other little problems.
The developers of Maximo apparently decided that the game needed a lot of difficulty, involving multiple cheap enemies and tricky jumps followed immediately by more cheap shotting enemies. All this by the second level in the game. The first level is actually pretty fun, once you get used to it. From then on, however, the cheapness ramps right up.
There's nothing I like more than running along in a level, only to have the floor crumble beneath me. Then, as I jump, a skeleton rises up from the ground instantly to greet my arrival on what looked like safe ground. Then, while I'm fighting the skeleton, a ghost comes out of nowhere and knocks me on my ass. And finally, while I'm down and out, a stupid raven flutters down and steals my money. All this and more, in the second level of Maximo. Sounds great, don't it kids?
Like I said before, I have a love/hate thing going on with this game. At times it can be fun (like the first level) and addictive, and then everything goes horribly wrong. I hate this game, but somehow it still makes me want to go back and play it more. Maybe I'm addicted to pain and torture. Maybe if I play some more I might get past the fourth level, or maybe I'll end up with a broken controller, or worse. I am torn; I cannot recommend this game with a clear conscience, but I think it might be worth a rental for some people. It is not for casual gamers like you and me, it is only for the few souls who are willing to brave the inner sanctums of insanity.
[Rating: 8.0 (first level), -5.9 (rest of game)]