The NES is home to some of the most beloved action platformers of all time. Games like Super Mario, Castlevania, Metroid and Mega Man made the iconic console a worldwide sensation while revitalizing the struggling video game industry. Ghost n' Goblins is also considered one of the genre-defining games for the system. Its tough as nails gameplay mixed with its undeniable charm made it one of the most difficult yet rewarding platformers of its era.
Although the series took a bit of a hiatus after the fourth console generation (at least in North America), the seemingly forgotten Maximo series attempted to resurrect the franchise after nearly a decade of absence. The game brought Ghost 'n Goblins into the 3-D realm and put an unconventional twist on the legendary series.
Unlike previous Ghost 'n Goblins entries, Maximo doesn't follow the adventures of Sir Arthur. Instead, it stars a young warrior named Maximo who makes a deal with the Grim Reaper after the evil King Achille sends him to the underworld. The Grim Reaper agrees to give Maximo a second chance at life if he vows to stop King Achille from collecting souls to fuel his undead army. It is up to Maximo to stop King Achille before his battalion of supernatural creatures takes over the planet.
Maximo plays more like a hack n' slash than a traditional platformer. Instead of throwing lances at oncoming opponents, players slice through enemies with Maximo's powerful gladius. There are also various items and powerups scattered across each level that improve Maximo's strengths and abilities. Some grant him combo attacks, while others increase his vitality. The series doesn't really resemble the original Ghosts 'n Goblins' gameplay, but it somehow manages to capture the same sort of experience the franchise is known for.
That being said, Maximo does have its fair share of flaws. Players will find themselves fighting the camera almost as much as King Achilles' undead army. The camera struggles to keep up with Maximo's movements, making for some extremely frustrating moments. Enemies will sometimes come out of nowhere while players wrestle with the unforgiving camera. It might not be the biggest issue in the world, but it is still a tremendous obstacle players will need to overcome.
Maximo also keeps the Ghost 'n Goblins infamous difficultly fully intact. The game can be a bit unforgiving at times, which might turn off more casual players. Even the weakest enemies take a good chunk of Maximo's health away, forcing players to approach each battle with caution. The lack of armor and health adds to the game's brutal difficultly. Maximo isn't a bad game, but it's difficulty spikes might turn off more casual players.
The Maximo series captures all things old school gamers love about classic action platformers while giving players a comical hack 'n slash experience. It successfully brings the Ghosts 'n Goblins franchise to the modern era while keeping its retro charm fulling intact. Maximo might be a bit rough around the edges, but it still has plenty to offer gamers looking for something a bit out of the ordinary.