Maximo vs the Army of Zin (PS2)

By JON MINIFIE

Herald rating: * * * *

The original Maximo was a fun and challenging platformer, inspired by the arcade classic Ghosts and Goblins.

This sequel kicks off with a typically rousing Capcom opening sequence, transporting us back 500 years to when Lord Morgan Hawkmoor and his men defended their lands against an army of regenerating robots. Trapping them in a huge vault, the Lord directs his men to close the door, sealing his own fate. With his final decree he orders the people of Hawkmoor to keep the vault locked forever.

But someone screws up and the evil robots escape. Maximo sets out to save the villages of Hawkmoor, now under constant threat from the Zin soldiers.

He starts with a shield and sword, but earns money that can be used to buy extra lives, axes, throwing shields, hammers and armour (including steel-plated boxer shorts). Maximo has more than 30 new attack moves and combos but can be vulnerable, losing armour, weapons, and even his pants — hence the need for the bulletproof undies.

He sometimes transforms into his pal the Grim Reaper albeit only temporarily. His weird alliance with the Reaper has earned him the name "the one who walks with death". Obviously this isn't going to help Maximo pick up a new girlfriend anytime soon (except maybe one of those gloomy Goth chicks) so with that in mind, he spends much of the game searching for his missing girlfriend Sophia who is still AWOL from the original.

If you enjoyed Ratchet & Clank or Jak & Daxter this will probably be right up your alley.

Maximo vs the Army of Zin is a dependable platformer with puzzles galore, loads of tongue-in-cheek humour, non-stop combat and boss battles. The gameplay isn't revolutionary or anything, but does it really matter? Lose your pants and have some fun.

Price: $109.95

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