SUMMARY:
Based on the old Capcom hit Ghouls and Ghosts, Maximo offers a challenging but rewarding platform package, full of skeletons and zombies to slash.

The scenario is best left ignored, kill-baddies-to-rescue-princess, but despite its simplicity, the game acts like some sort of drug to the player: just one more go before bedtime...

You'll sure need quite a few tries before seeing the end of Maximo, as the saving system is a little harsh. You have to pay to save, and only at the end of a level! With only 4 lives to start with, it's tough being a ghoulbuster! Luckily, by collecting souls throughout the game, you'll be able to buy "Continues", making it a little easier.

The combat system is a real gem. Equipped with a shield, you'll be able to block most attacks (that is, until he's broken), and your sword allows for a range of cool blows. Every enemy has his weak points, it's up to you to find them, and it adds a little variety in the game. You have a wide choice of enchantments and power-ups for your gear, making you more powerful.

Scattered all along the area are buried chests with all sorts of goodies. When you have finished a level, you are informed about the percentage of completion of the level. When the game is completed, trying to get 100% on all levels is a new challenge, bringing back several hours of life in the game.
And you might even get a bonus when everything is finished...

One main flaw in the game is the camera system: you don't have much control, and the view only returns behind the player when you press L1. R1 is a sort of first person view, but it works badly, especially of rotating platforms. It would have been nice to be able to use the right joystick to rotate the cam freely... Maybe in the sequel?

All in all, a really great game, for all ages (no blood or offensive parts) as long as the kid is born with a paddle in his hands... because it is quite difficult.

But worth it!