Live Life to the Maximo!
Overview
Most games today are more graphics than game play. Companies focus more on presentation than the quality of the game. The end result is a game that floors you in graphics, but dulls you in game play. Back in 2002, Capcom brought back a classic that reminds us what games are suppose to be about. Ghost N’ Goblins in spirit, Maximo brought back classic game play to us fans, and noobs. Tough enemies, lots of plat form jumping, and many other unforgiving elements. Maximo was a very challenging game that left most gamers crying. Some couldn’t take the difficulty and the unforgiving game play. The hardcore, however, ate it up and cheered for more. Taking us back to the good old days where game play was everything. Capcom was pleased with its results, but wanted to make it more accessible to the average gamer. This makes Army of Zin a step forward, yet a step back, for some. Join Maximo as he takes on Lord Bane and his army of Zin.
Graphics 9/10
The graphics are better this time around. More enemies on the screen, zero slowdown, nice environments, it all looks great. The enemies are well designed, even though majority of them are robots. Each world keeps with the theme; the first one takes place in a village of sorts. You’ll see Zin falling from the sky, smashing through buildings, killing villagers. A lot more activity in the levels. Bosses are cool, but easy. It’s not a huge jump from the first, as the game play is the focus, but you will appreciate what Capcom has done.
Gameplay/Controls 8/10
Army of Zin plays just like the original, mostly. You have your double jumps, sword attacks, shields; all the crap is still intact. The ability to throw your shield is retained from the get-go. This time your shield can’t be broken; you keep it for the entire game. Maximo has combos for his sword attacks, kind of like Dante’s combos, but it doesn’t stray away from the game play. It’s mostly used for battling dozens of enemies; you face a lot more monsters at the same time. Jumping has been made easier this time around. Maximo will now thrust his sword into the plat form if he misses the jump. Some of the power-ups from the original return along with some new ones. You can purchase them from local merchants and once you buy them, they’re yours for the rest of the game. Of course, certain moves use up your super meter, under your health bar, so you can’t abuse them too much. You no longer become invincible when you get the gold armor, it just adds on to your health. One cool addition to the game is the ability to play as Grim. When you absorb enough souls, you can turn into Grim by tapping the R1 button. This helps out when you’re over your head is Zin.
The game plays much like the original. You make you’re way through villages, forests, caves, and the rest, while fighting enemies and collecting treasure. If you want to just complete the game, you can just rush in, clean house, and move on. Gamers who want to get mastery on every level, like myself, take their time to find every secret and monster. Mastery is still achieved by killing all monsters, collecting all items, and saving villagers. Saving villagers has become a big part in the game. Saving them from monsters will grant you items; coins, armor, etc. They also give you hints on how to proceed with the level, or secret areas. It pays off to save them, even if you aren’t going for 100% completion. Fighting enemies is the same as the original Maximo. There better ways to fight certain baddies, finding out is all part of the fun. Unfortunately, all these additions make the game easier than the first.
One of the great things about the original, in my opinion, was the difficulty. The game was tough, sometimes incredibly frustrating, but the sense of satisfaction I got when mastering a level kept me playing. I loved every second of it. All the changes they put in the sequel are cool, but it takes the difficulty down. You can’t lose your shield or power-ups, you can save your game at any time, jumping has been made easier, more health, and you also have Grim to annihilate everything. Enemies have more attacks, stronger, and attack in bigger groups, but they can all been taken out with your new combos, quite easily I must say. They added new challenges like saving villagers, which can be annoying, and death coins take over your lives, run out of coins is game over. It’s not enough though. For the average gamer, all of this sounds great, but if you are like me and finished the original, you are going to be a bit disappointed. Thank god they have a hard mode in the beginning of the game, which I suggest for the hardcore. The game is a bit shorter too, 20 stages in all, including boss battles. The difficulty helps it makes it move faster. The game is great, but it’s better on hard mode.
The controls are just as solid so the only reason for dieing is you sucking. There are some awkward camera positions from time to time, but nothing to drag this game down. Combos are easy to do, and use. Figuring out the best way to fight enemies is part of the fun, and you’ll enjoy every moment.
Sound/Music 7/10
The music is fantastic, just like before, but where’s the original theme? I haven’t heard it once throughout the game. Still good stuff all around. The acting is just as good as the original so you won’t like it better or worse. The game play is all I care about, which shines through everything else, but it’s good to know everything is just as solid.
Replay Value 8/10
The game is easier than before, so it should take you less time to complete it. If you haven’t already, you can master all the stages. For each stage you master, you unlock another entry to the art gallery. If you beat the game on normal, try it on hard. This is how the game should be played.
Overall 8/10
If you’re a fan of the original, I suggest picking this game up. Lots of cool additions help make the game fresh and the game play is just as good. The music rocks as do the controls, and the graphics are nice too. Maximo is all about game play and Army of Zin continues that tradition. However, for those of you who beat the first game, play it on hard mode to get that same feeling again. Capcom made the game easier and it doesn’t have the same feeling when playing on normal. No sense of satisfaction. Those who found the original too hard will find this game more accessible to your liking. Army of Zin is a great game, but it’s both a step back and a step forward. Everything they added kicks ass, but they could have upped the difficulty more, like longer jumps to utilize that protection from falling or if you‘re going to keep those power-ups, put the need to use them. Overall, if you’re a fan of the Maximo, dive right into Army of Zin. It’s all about game play folks.
- By Cold Man X
