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GAME REVIEWED: MAX 2

RELEASED BY: Interplay

PRICE: £34.99

REVIEWED BY: G-String

REVIEW: -

MAX 2 - Mechanised Assault & Exploration, is not as dramatic as it sounds. From the cover I got the impression of almost a nuclear war sort of thing, you know the last dregs of society battling it out, and the governments (what's left of them) trying to calm everyone down. But no. This is futuristic, just like a lot of other strategy games. The strategy game market is booming with more being released each month. Command & Conquer was the main strategy game that turned heads around the world, or at least that was the impression that I got. Anyway, on with the show (as they say)......

When I first opened the box I was shocked at the size of the manual. 83 pages not counting the credits. I thought to myself, oh no this is going to be one of those games you have to learn small knacks and certain strategy's that take years to master. It's not of course, even if it is meant to be. The manual is really good because it explains everything really well, if you can be bothered to read it. I did, and believe me, it helps. But, wait a minute, I'm supposed to talk about the game itself.........

There are two races. Humans (yeah!) and Sheevats (boo!). Just like in Warcraft with the humans and orcs, these two races are intent on destroying the other using hi-tech weapons and machines and vehicles. This is one of the characteristics of the game. The vehicles are all futuristic but not far-fetched. They move quite quickly but not too fast. Interplay have got the balance correct here. Although, when you start up a campaign for the first time, you can be dead in seconds. I was killed quite horrifically. I never got a chance to retaliate. Those goddamn Sheevats.

The gameplay is frantically fast. Much faster than C&C, or any other strategy game I've played. It's mind-numbingly quick. What also makes it look so good is the graphics. They are pretty good but not too advanced. They can't really be that advanced for strategy games, because there's not much you can do to that part of the game to develop it. Well, so I've been told. The explosions are big and the graphics to represent them are about right.

There are three ways to play MAX 2. Real Time, Simultaneous, and of course turn based. Three ways to suit every strategy fans taste. Absolutely brilliant. Although I myself prefer real time as it is much more exciting. The game also boasts seven different levels of AI (Artificial Intelligence) which believe me, can be the difference between winning a campaign and losing it. I still can't complete campaign four on the hardest setting. It's really getting on my nerves. I have to say something about the pictures of the buildings and vehicles. They are superbly created. They are futuristic,but not too far-fetched. As I said before, Interplay have the right balance.

The sound effects are varied and are realistic and gripping. The screams of the soldiers dying is quite irritating as it sounds painful. Very painful. The music is fast and furious at times although it's not on constantly. At times it gets too quiet and that's when the psychological warfare between the AI and you kicks in. They attack out of no-where and when you least expect it. This is good in a way, but it's bad in other ways. There'll always be pros and cons to this.

I've never played the first game, neither has anyone else in the company, so I can't say whether or not the graphics are better or worse, the sound effects better or worse, or even if the game is still the same strategy style. I don't know anything about the first in the series. But, all in all, the game never impressed me. There was no joy in thinking, "oh, I get to play MAX 2 now" and similarly, there was no joy in completing a campaign. I never got into the game properly, I couldn't. Even if I played it for four hours straight (which I did and hurts your eyes and makes you go dizzy) I didn't get into it properly. So I can't give this game a high score because of that fact, which I'm sure you'll agree is an important part of the gameplay.

 

SCORE:

69%

MINIMUM HARDWARE REQUIRED:

CPU: 90+

RAM: 16MB

80MB HD Space

1MB SVGA card

Windows 95/98

 
Mouse General Midi 4x CD-ROM

 

LINKS: www.sold-out.co.uk www.interplay.com


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Last updated: March 13, 1999.