Platform(s): Playstation 2
ESRB Rating: Teen
Developer: Capcom
Genre: Action/Platformer
Release Date: February 11, 2002
Price Today: $3.99 USD
Many players who were around to play the NES and SNES platformers of the late 80s and early 90s may be fortunate enough to remember a game by the name of Ghouls & Ghosts released on the NES in '88. Some remember it as a nostalgic memory from their childhood while others remember it as their first experience of throwing their controllers through the TV. Many of which will fall in the latter category and also came back time after time to get their asses handed to them over and over, begging for more abuse.
If you yourself fall into that sadomasochistic latter category, you may have just found your Godsend of a game, Maximo: Ghosts to Glory.
[HEADING=1]Story[/HEADING]
Taking place in a typical medieval setting, Maximo: Ghosts To Glory is about...well some random Knight named Maximo who comes home to his kingdom to find it in ruins and taken over by his ally, Achille. Not 10 seconds into the first cutscene, Achille straight up ***** slaps your girlfriend and kills you sending you straight to hell basically.
Needless to say, the game starts you out with a giant question mark lingering over your head, but no need to fear, the basic plot is revealed later. This is a throw back to old school platformer games where you're lucky to have a story at all.
After Maximo is killed, he meets Death and it is revealed that Achille is summoning the minions of hell using a drill to free the spirits of the underworld. This in turn pisses off Death as he worked to capture those souls and he'd be damned if they were to be set free so easily. So, he makes a deal with Maximo, that if he can defeat Achille and send the spirits back to their rightful place, he'll keep Maximo alive to save his girlfriend.
"Do my job for me and I won't murder your ass. Deal?
Maximo doesn't go much deeper into its story than that and it doesn't really need to. Sure, it's a pretty basic story, but we're not looking for an award winning script here. Pure fun is all we really care about and Maximo delivers.
[HEADING=1]Gameplay[/HEADING]
Like it's predecessors, Maximo is almost purely gameplay driven and it doesn't disappoint.
Simplicity is pretty much the name of the game here. The gameplay is about as basic as you can get. You're equipped with a standard sword/shield combo and the basic move set for both apply here. You then have your pretty standard set of enemies; Zombies, skeletons, ghosts and the like but even with it's almost over simplicity, it all works very well together.
Capcom has done a fine job at re-imagining the 2D worlds of the old games and rendering them in full 3D environments. Complete with a fair amount of exploration and platforming, Capcom hasn't left much out of the basic level design.
The levels themselves are designed around a 5/1 pattern in which there are 5 levels for each section not including the one boss and there are 5 sections in all. Many players will recognize familiar settings from the Ghost & Goblins series as they traverse through the game's levels consisting of a basic grave area, a murky swamp, a pirate filled arctic, hell itself and back to your kingdom all of which have been heavily influenced the previously noted series.
Sure, it may sound basic from the description, and it is, but you don't think that so much praise could go to such a simple game, do you? Of course not! The real beauty in this game is its unforgiving difficulty.
Expect the same insanely frustrating, soul crushingly difficult gameplay that you ever so fondly remember from the SNES days. But while it may sound like something many would wish to stay away from, it's easily one of the most addictive games to come around. You'll be broken down, beaten to hell and back and you'll be wanting more and more each time you play.
You may want to buy an extra controller just in case.
Not only are the levels and the enemies themselves difficult, but the way the game is designed increases the challenge substantially especially when it comes to the save system. Typically in a game, you get the option to save after ever level. In Maximo, you only get to save if you have to coins for it.
In each section, there is the central hub in which you access the other levels via warp stones. This is where the only save points in the games are available but only if you have 100 coins to shell out each time, so it incorporates a fair bit of strategy when using your saves wisely.
Another aspect used to further increase difficulty is the use of Death Koins which you must collect in order to continue once your lives are completely depleted. To do this, you must collect fairies from the various containers throughout the levels. They aren't hard to come by but considering that you get 4 lives to start with and that you will die a lot, it becomes a bit of a hassle.
Platforming has actually become a bit more predominate in this installment of the series. The platforming in itself is done well but this is actually where my main gripes about the gameplay lie. Many of the platforming sections actually become overly difficult, even in this game and will most likely be the result of most of your many many many deaths. Often times, sections of the floor beneath you will collapse or just disappear, giving you little time to react and jump to safety and in the later levels, floors become almost nonexistent and levels become purely timing jumps between obstacles before you fall to your death.
Needless to say, this makes the Maximo into a bit of a trial and error type game. It's not something you can just run through. There are enemies and traps that can obliterate you in a second. You can be right at the end of a level and made it past every obstacle only to get hit by the one enemy you didn't see and have to start all over again.
With the platforming being the only real complaint about the gameplay itself, looking past that, it comes across as being nearly flawless for those who enjoy this type of difficulty in their games.
[HEADING=1]Presentation[/HEADING]
The game's presentation is something that is rather hit or miss depending on the person you ask and what subject you're speaking of specifically.
On the positive side, the games graphics are fairly good for 2002. They retain a cartoony and kiddy theme that is both charming and deceitful because hiding underneath its harmless looking exterior lies the sadistic and humiliating beast that is the true game, so parents, if you buy this for your child thinking it will keep them occupied with some mindless entertainment, don't complain when your kid is crying after he's broken the TV in a fit of rage.
The music is also something to praise. Taking the themes of the old Ghosts & Goblins game and rehashing them a bit for modern gaming, Capcom has succeed in keeping the music fresh and diverse with each level.
Now, for the not so good part. While I gave credit to the graphics earlier for looking fairly good even for something originally designed on the N64, it still could have easily had some polishing done in some very obvious places. Many textures in the levels appear jagged and often times uneven. The level's backgrounds still even look just like a mere prerendered backdrop rather than a fully animated background.
On another note for complaint, the game's controls also show room for improvement. While you will eventually get used to them, it takes a while and the odd placement of buttons seem like it was almost an intentional design flaw as they are obviously not the best they could be. One of the biggest issues with the controls is the use of the game's camera which is only controllable by use of the R1 button which resets it behind Maximo which becomes a major hassle if you're against a wall and trying to look forward.
[HEADING=1]Overall & Final Thoughts[/HEADING]
All in all, this is a highly addictive game that will have you coming back for my time and time again.
The gameplay is nearly flawless for what it is. For those who enjoy the extreme challenge, this is the game for you. Everything from the originals is back and almost improved this time around.
You'll often find yourself on the edge of your seat while fighting an enemy with only a few hit points left. You'll hold your breath as you make a jump from one platform to another. You'll cringe as you fall to your death or be struck by an enemy. Your heart will race as you see the final warp zone and make your way to it as fast as you can. You'll most likely scream and destroy something in the process and you'll love every second of it.
Despite its few flaws, Maximo makes for a great game and if you're up for the challenge, the rewarding feeling you get after finally beating a level will make it all worth while.
Movies:
Best Movies of the Decade [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.164045-Best-Films-of-the-Decade-Warning-Extremely-Long-Review]
Games:
Bayonetta [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.169030-JK-Reviews-Bayonetta-Warning-May-Contain-Spoilers]
Game of the Year [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.163760-Celebration-for-My-5000th-post-Game-of-the-Year-awards]
God of War III [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.182952-JK-Reviews-God-of-War-III]
NieR [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.203204-JK-Reviews-NIER]
Castlevania: Lament of Innocence [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.206361-JK-Reviews-Castlevania-Lament-of-Innocence]
Music:
Equilibrium's ReKreatur [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.204108-JK-Reviews-Equilibrium-ReKreatur]
Best Movies of the Decade [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.164045-Best-Films-of-the-Decade-Warning-Extremely-Long-Review]
Games:
Bayonetta [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.169030-JK-Reviews-Bayonetta-Warning-May-Contain-Spoilers]
Game of the Year [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.163760-Celebration-for-My-5000th-post-Game-of-the-Year-awards]
God of War III [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.182952-JK-Reviews-God-of-War-III]
NieR [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.203204-JK-Reviews-NIER]
Castlevania: Lament of Innocence [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.206361-JK-Reviews-Castlevania-Lament-of-Innocence]
Music:
Equilibrium's ReKreatur [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.204108-JK-Reviews-Equilibrium-ReKreatur]
Remember, that I am now taking requests for reviews, so any suggestions for future reviews you may have, please let me know via PM or in the replies to this review.
