Think of classic, old-school, frustrating
gameplay from the classic NES, SNES, and Genesis
consoles, when you play Maximo. Those are the systems
that inspired this next-gen platformer. Maximo: Ghosts
To Glory provides the classic, frustrating gameplay we
used to know and love. Video games these days strive
on story, graphics, and cinematics. Maximo brings
back the glory days in 3-D!
This is a story of a young warrior named Maximo.
After he returns from war, he finds that his kingdom
has been taken over by the evil king Achille, who was
once his trusted advisor. Maximo's love, Sophia, is
being forced to marry Achille. One thing for sure, is
that Maximo must rescue his beloved, as well as other
sorceresses within the kingdom.
All Maximo is equipped with is his sword and
generic shield. As he traverses each world, Maximo
collects coins to purchase items and the like. What I
thought was really cool was the fact that when Maximo
loses life, he loses a piece of his armor and clothes.
When he has very little life left, he's down to his
boxer-shorts! Some of the things Maximo can purchase
are upgraded shields and power-ups, that help Maximo
on his journey as he travels across all five worlds in
the game. There are different kinds of keys you will
need to collect in order to advance in the game, and
to collect new items. Some of the chests reward you
with armor and coins. One of these keys is the iron
key, which unlocks chests and gates. You are allowed
nine of these on your belt. The gold keys unlock very
special doors. You may only carry one of these at a
time. Another feature in Maximo are the lock spots.
These are icons that let the player know what
abilities Maximo has equipped. In the beginning of
the game, you are granted three lock spots. Somewhat
like an RPG-style of learning new abilities, except
Maximo picks the abilities up after defeating certain
enemies. At any time during gameplay, you can switch
in new abilities to customize Maximo's fighting style
in each area he's in. You should pick the best
abilities possible for each certain level in the game.
The different kinds of enemies Maximo fends off
are the dead warriors that Achille brought back from
the dead, plus other enemies as well. The most
simplest form of evil in this game are the skeletons,
who merely just run up to Maximo and hit him. Then
there are the guardian skeletons, and the
sword-wielding skeletons. These enemies actually use
skill and tactics to defeat you! So you must think
strategically as to how you're going to fend off
multiple enemies attacking you.
In Maximo, just like in old-school 2-D games,
the bosses have a certain pattern in how they attack,
with which you must figure out to defeat them.
If you are having trouble in this game, and lose
all of your lives, then death coins are your only
currency to staying alive! In the beginning of the
game, the grim reaper awards you with one death coin.
After you lose all your lives, (and you will ALOT of
times in this game), you must pay grim a death coin.
WATCH OUT! If you keep on dying, the toll for survival
increases!
Playing through this game has really had me on
my toes! Anyone who has played Maximo knows that you
will continually hurl the controller at the t.v.
screen, in frustratingly disgust. Beware, this game
is hard! If you are wanting to get a hold on classic
,old-school gameplay, on a next-gen console that is
difficult, and in 3-D, then Maximo is your best bet.
Make sure you are mentally ready for a challenge of
this difficulty, because Maximo gives you just that.
Like most classics of the heyday, Maximo is all
gameplay, with no real cinematics of the like, that
drive the game. And yes, Maximo has a double-jump!
This is a game well worth any PS2 gamers'
library. Do yourself a favor and pick this one up.
You won't be dissapointed with this classic.
presentation: 8/10
graphics: 8/10
controls: 9/10
gameplay: 10/10
replay value: 8/10
OVERALL SCORE: 9/10
Editor's Notes: Maximo is technically the 3rd in the "Ghosts/Ghouls" series. The first game, Ghosts & Goblins, released back in the day on the NES starred a knight named Arthur on a quest to save his kingdom from the evils of the undead. Maximo: Ghosts to Glory harks back to this game with Maximo being stripped down to his boxers when he's down to his last life lamp.
The second game, Super Ghouls & Ghosts, was a sharper and slightly deeper platformer that also starred Arthur, but this time in 16-bit glory on the SNES. This game also featured Arthur being stripped down to his boxers when he took too many hits and there are also the spells which turn you into an old man and a baby, which showed up in Maximo as well.
Arthur also made an appearance in Capcom's wild "Contra-like" shooter, Cannon Spike, which featured an all classic Capcom cast. Among these Capcom Elites, Arthur himself makes an appearance in high-powered, golden armor and carrying a blaster weapon which looks like a lance. In the ending you see Arthur get out of the suit and he's in his boxers sporting the usual crown and ragged beard from days long gone.
Now Maximo has stepped up to the plate and delivered a monster of a game that easily takes hints from old school classics and puts them into glorious 3D action!!! A frustrating game, yet at the same time incredibly rewarding. Stangely enough it's also an ideal halloween themed game!