M.A.X.: Mechanized Assault & Exploration
Critic Reviews 86% add missing review
Retro Spirit, The (6 out of 6) (100%)
Alt i alt, hva mener jeg om spillet? Jo, dette er en underdog de færreste har hørt om. En helt fantastisk og enestående underdog som virkelig fortjener så mye mye mer skryt og omtale enn hva jeg er i stand til å gi. Dette spillet gikk stille og upåaktet hen, og det er en så stor skam at jeg blir litt lei meg innvendig av å tenke på det. Fortjener spillet en Golden DOS Spirit? JA! Fortjener spillet en egen Golden award blant spillene med Golden DOS Spirit award? Visst faen! Fortjener spillet en bedre skjebne enn det fikk? Det er det ingen tvil om.
Dec 25th, 2014 · DOS · read reviewGamezilla (94 out of 100) (94%)
M.A.X. is a phenomenal game. I don't want to slight other great games (which I compared this game to liberally), but M.A.X. is more refined, more strategy-oriented, and simply more fun than any of its big brothers. Not only are the individual missions big (and often long), but between the tutorial missions, single play campaign, custom campaigns, individual missions and multiplay, this is by far the biggest game of its kind. Trust me -- you will not just whiz through this game. I would almost have expected many of the included levels (either the individual levels or the custom scenarios) to be provided as an add-on for the game, because they are so extensive.
1996 · DOS · read reviewPC Action (Germany) (94 out of 100) (94%)
M.A.X. bietet die intelligentesten Computergegner und extrem hohe Langzeitmotivation durch massig Spieloptionen. Kein Spiel gleicht dem nächsten. In den Punkten Spielbarkeit, Niveau und KI avanciert es zur neuen Referenz im Genre. Ein Muß für alle Strategiespieler.
Nov 1996 · DOSGameplay (Benelux) (93 out of 100) (93%)
Max is in veel opzichten vergelijkbaar met Red Alert. Het enige verschil is het feit dat Red Alert 'real time' is, en Max 'turn-based'. Verder is Max ook iets meer gericht op het opbouwen van een basis. Voor de rest hebben zij dezelfde kwaliteiten, mooie animaties, een hoge verslavingsgraad en hetzelfde doel: winnen!
Dec 27th, 1996 · DOSOnline Gaming Review (OGR) (9 out of 10) (90%)
Despite a few outstanding bugs (most of which is already fixed or will be in an upcoming patch), M.A.X. is a unique and refreshing game that offers a new spin in the aging life of turn-based strategy games. It's not easy and occasionally the games play out like intricate puzzles, and the multiplayer mode is a feature which definitely should not be missed for all of the rice in China.
Mar 17th, 1997 · DOS · read reviewGame.EXE (90 out of 100) (90%)
(Multiplayer score)M.A.X. весьма специфичен и, как мне кажется, рассчитан на компьютерных гурманов. В силу чего вряд ли стоит ожидать неких особых чувств от т.н. широких игроманских кругов (прежде всего из-за сложности "хозчасти" -- этапа возведения и развития базы). Большинство российских игроков привыкли к большей простоте и незатейливости (вспомним тот же WarCraft), M.A.X. же наверняка будет восприниматься как нечто вычурное и неестественное. Парадокс, но самая сильная сторона игры для многих явится некоей загадкой, с которой им даже не захочется возиться...
Jan 1997 · DOSPC Gamer (90 out of 100) (90%)
Long-time strategy fans and recent converts alike will love this versatile game of futuristic warfare.
Apr 1997 · DOSPC Games (Germany) (89 out of 100) (89%)
Wie schon zuvor Jagged Alliance und X-COM wird M.A.X. als einer der vernachlässigsten Strategiespiel-Hämmer in die Geschichte eingehen. Grund: der fast zeitgleiche Release von Alermstufe Rot. Der C&C Ableger hat vieles, was M.A.X. weitgehend fehlt. Prächtige Grafik, eine durchgehende Story, VIEL Atmospähre und nicht zuletzt das gewisse Etwas, das ein Kultspiel ausmacht. Dafür trumpft M.A.X. mit einem annäherend perfekten Interface (mindestens auf Z-Niveau), einer ungeschlagenen Wieder-und-wieder-Spielbarkeit, einer Fülle ausgewogener Einheiten und Gebäude, hoher Komplexität und durchtriebenen Computergegenern auf.
Dec 1996 · DOSPower Play (88 out of 100) (88%)
M.A.X. ist trotz des herkömmlichen Grundkonzepts – Kampf um die Vorherrschaft neubesiedelter Planeten – eindeutig eines er erfrischendsten Strategiespiele seit langer Zeit. Was mich neben der ganz an der Spitze stehenden Computerintelligenz und der stufenlos zoombaren Karte besonders beeindruckt, ist die enorme Komplexität. Ein bißchen Einarbeitungszeit ist deswegen schon nötig, damit die prinzipiell logische Bedienung locker von der Hand geht, doch diese wird mit monatelangem Spielspaß belohnt.
Dec 1996 · DOS · read reviewPC Joker (86 out of 100) (86%)
Hier standen unverkennbar zwei meiner Lieblingsspiele Pate: Während der Basisaufbau an „Alarmstufe Rot“ erinnert, gemahnt das Armeengeschiebe an „Battle Isle 2“. Eine prima Mischung, die durch höchst abwechslungsreiche Missionen zum Hit aufgepäppelt wurde. Ob man lieber eine mächtige Luftflotte aufbaut oder auf Bodentruppen setzt, hängt zu gleichen Teilen vom gewählten Clan und den eigenen Vorlieben ab - grundsätzlich können die Aufträge immer auf mehrere Arten gelöst werden. So hält man Strategen wochen- und monatelang bei Laune!
Feb 1997 · DOSGameSpot (8.6 out of 10) (86%)
Real-time strategy games are the hot item among computer game players these days. The success of games such as Command & Conquer, Warcraft II, and Close Combat reveal the potential for similar offerings. M.A.X., courtesy of Interplay, does all of these one better by giving players the choice of real-time or turn-based gameplay. If you like the idea behind C&C, you'll love what this game has to offer. M.A.X. presents excellent visuals, excellent gameplay, and nearly infinite replay value in a package that's hard to resist.
Dec 3rd, 1996 · DOS · read reviewGamesmania.de (85 out of 100) (85%)
Wer heute ein Strategie-Kriegsspiel auf den Markt bringt, hat es nicht leicht. Was die klassischen rundenorientierten Wargames angeht, ist der Markt fest in der Hand der Panzer-, Fantasy- und sonstigen Generäle; die massenkompatibleren Echtzeit-Strategiespiele gibt's in rauhen Mengen, doch mit einem Abklatsch bekannter Ideen ist auch hier kein Blumentopf mehr zu gewinnen. M.A.X. gelingt der Brückenschlag zwischen beiden Ausprägungen der Strategiegames erstaunlich gut: Von Darstellung ohne Sechsecke bis zum Ressourcenmanagement liegt alles eher auf der Linie der Echtzeit-Strategicals, dennoch läuft das Game in Runden ab und ist deutlich komplexer als Alarmstufe Rot & Co. Was dabei rauskommt, dürfte Fans beider Gattungen begeistern - genügend Zeit vorausgesetzt, denn als Zwischendurch-Häppchen für Gelegenheitsspieler eignet sich der Titel wohl eher weniger.
1996 · DOS · read reviewWorld Village (Gamer's Zone) ( ) (80%)
I'm an old, cranky gamer. Too often, I suffer the "been there, done that" feeling. For many, to whom M.A.X. will be a new concept, this game will win your heart and live on in your memory as a flawless game. For the die-hard veteran strategy gamers, this is the best turn-based strategy to see the shelves in a long while. Great interface, stunning visuals, moody music and fun missions combine, making M.A.X. a purchase you won't regret.
1996 · DOS · read reviewComputer Gaming World (CGW) ( ) (80%)
Because M.A.X. offers a turn-based option, turn-based gaming fans can always fall back to that style of play. The larger question is if real-time gamers will find the optional simultaneous turn system an acceptable substitute for real-time play. That's hard to say. The bottom line is that anyone who enjoys the intellectual challenge of a good strategy game will appreciate M.A.X.'s depth, complexity, variability, and successful integration of resource management with strategic planning and tactical warfare.
May 1997 · DOSPC Player (Germany) ( ) (80%)
Selbst auf dem niedrigsten von sechs Schwierigkeitsgraden nutzt der Computer gnadenlos alle sich ihm offenbarenden Vorteile und Schwächen aus. Das wird zusammen mit der sparsamen Grafik auch Fortgeschrittene von M.A.X. fernhalten. Profis jedoch können die Tricks herausfinden, wie der Rechenknecht zu knacken ist. Und damit auf lange Sicht ihren Spaß an Ali Atabeks Strategiespiel haben.
Jan 1997 · DOSReset (7 out of 10) (70%)
Mimo wielu zalet gra powiela spotykane w innych strategiach schematy. Duża na początku ilość opcji i budynków do zarządzania oraz trudności w budowaniu mogą odstręczyć wielu zwolenników lekkiej strategii w wydaniu
Game.EXE (60 out of 100) (60%)
M.A.X. весьма специфичен и, как мне кажется, рассчитан на компьютерных гурманов. В силу чего вряд ли стоит ожидать неких особых чувств от т.н. широких игроманских кругов (прежде всего из-за сложности "хозчасти" -- этапа возведения и развития базы). Большинство российских игроков привыкли к большей простоте и незатейливости (вспомним тот же WarCraft), M.A.X. же наверняка будет восприниматься как нечто вычурное и неестественное. Парадокс, но самая сильная сторона игры для многих явится некоей загадкой, с которой им даже не захочется возиться...
Jan 1997 · DOSHigh Score (3 out of 5) (60%)
M.A.X. är inte ett så dåligt spel - bara oengagerande och onödigt.
Apr 1997 · DOSPlayer Reviews
A true underdog. One of the all-time greats.
The Good
Next to the original System Shock, M.A.X. has to be one of the most underappreciated gems in all of computer gaming. First off, it is a masterpiece of design. Every budding strategy game designer should have a look at this game to see how to do it right. There is quite literally nothing to complain about in either the interface or the game mechanics. They're spot on. Secondly, M.A.X. is just a great game. It's a top-down RTS that can be played as a turn-based game if you wish, or as a combination of turn-based and RT. Personally, I prefer the turn-based mode, but it works just as well the other way. Yes, folks, it's two (click), two (click), two games in one.
Basically (typically corny plotline aside), the idea is that you have to build a science-fiction type base, crank out science-fiction type military units, and devise a strategy to take out your opponent who is trying to do the same. Sounds like many another RTS game, right? Well, the significant difference with M.A.X. is that all your units have definite stats which are actually known to you, and they all always do a predictable amount of damage when they attack. In other words, there's no randomness involved. Thus, the game is much more like a huge game of chess than what we normally think of when we think RTS. This makes it much more interesting, much more exciting, and, in my view, much more deserving of the title "strategy game," than any other game of its type out there.
All sides are equally matched in terms of units--that is to say, the unit pool is the same for everyone--but each side represents a unique clan (there are eight possible) and has a corresponding specialty. For instance, one clan specializes in air units, and gets bonuses in that area, while another specializes in sea units, and so on. Moreover, you can build upgrade buildings which allow you to improve any stat of any unit you wish, so if your strategy requires stronger than normal tanks, you can build them, even if you're not the clan that gets uber-tanks to start with. Here again, though, the key is that no matter how you alter your units, you'll always know exactly where you stand. There's no guessing whether your tank will hit in battle or how much actual damage it will do. It will always hit and it will always do full point damage to its target.
The game ships with a ton of scenarios to play, with all kinds of different victory conditions (a couple of them are puzzle missions; there's one I never did figure out how to beat), but for random games you can set the victory conditions yourself. I almost always play for "ecospheres," which is the special building type included in the game as the carrot for players to chase. Build the prescribed number of them and you win. Let an opponent do it instead and he wins. Pretty simple stuff, but it provides the motivation for you to pay attention to both offense and defense, instead of just one or the other, as they're both equally important.
There are no random maps, but there are enough different maps included to keep the game fresh, and, just as with the selectable victory conditions, there are enough user adjustable options to satisfy just about everyone. Also, the game offers a multiplayer mode, but as I haven't ever tried it I can't say how well it works. The manual is long on background fluff but relatively close-lipped when it comes to gameplay. However, as the game is so well designed and easy to pick up, that doesn't really hurt it a lot in the long run. Most players will be able to make a good start of things without even glancing at the manual.
The Bad
The only part that is anything less than incredible about M.A.X. is its AI. The problem isn't that the AI is bad--in fact, short of the point I'm about to touch on, the AI is quite deadly and frustrating. It's just that it's too darned timid when it encounters fixed defenses--particularly air defenses.
Let's say I have a mobile anti-aircraft gun stationed somewhere with an attack radius of X. Now, normally, if it hasn't been upgraded, that gun is good for one attack per turn on a flying unit that wanders into its airspace, and, depending on the unit, that attack may well destroy it. Well, given that, and assuming for the moment that a ground-based attack against the anti-aircraft gun isn't feasible, a human player will simply bring enough planes to allow him to take out the gun by sacrificing one to it first, thereby exhausting its attack, and then moving in with the rest. That's a reasonable strategy to follow in M.A.X., since taking out air defenses is pretty key to getting into enemy territory, and air power itself is pretty potent. The AI however, will never, or rarely, do this. It won't sacrifice its units in order to achieve some greater good. It will simply concede well-defended territory to the enemy and instead look around for chinks in his armor--chinks which may not be there and may never be there. While this doesn't exactly render the AI harmless, it does take some of the unpredictability and uncertainty away that should be there--and that would be there if you were playing against a human opponent. That's my only beef with the game.
The Bottom Line
M.A.X. is one huge, intricate sci-fi chess match, and it's a hell of a blast to play. It requires brains, it requires brawn, and it requires planning in order to win. While the AI isn't perfect, it's certainly good enough to offer any player a good time, and multiplayer M.A.X. holds out the promise of an almost perfect gameplay experience. Do yourself a favor and pick this one up. It's easily one of the best games of the '90's.
by Jim Newland (56) on Dec 22nd, 2001 · DOS
The Good
At the beginning of the era when "RTS" games have nearly driven the planning and thinking out of "strategy" games, this was a game with real depth that encouraged thoughtful play over the rush to the Tank Rush, while catering to some of the visceral feel of RTS games. It even offered a second play mode that hybridized realtime and turn-based play in an innovative way. Base building took much more thought than the norm of the time, let alone the modern one. Your base layout needed to account for the maintenance of the conduit system between buildings, and for not covering up the best mining areas before you discovered them, as well as defensibility and capacity. Yes - mineral resources were mineral resources which you had to survey for with a specialized unit, not icons on which you raced to build a building. Although the terrain was visually simple, and consisted only of water, land, and impassable rocky areas, it was sufficient to allow interesting tactical considerations. The unit mix was interesting and balanced, with units' strengths and weaknesses tweaked to make a mixed force stronger than a similar-cost homogeneous one. There was no "uber-unit", though for specific situations and tactics there was generally a best unit or group composition.
The Bad
Sadly, while the AI was enough to force the player to think rather than react, it was not strong enough to challenge a skilled player without outright massive cheating. And while the maps were excellent for only three terrain types, the game was visually pretty boring.
The Bottom Line
If you have a DOS retro machine to play it on, this is a game you should check out. It has some unique ideas that haven't caught on, and despite the eventually disappointing AI is one of my fondest-remembered strategy games, almost in the realm of XCOM and Civ2.
by weregamer (155) on Jan 27th, 2004 · DOS
Contributors to this Entry
Critic reviews added by Alsy, Jeanne, Patrick Bregger, Cantillon, JudgeDeadd, Virgil, Belboz, Wizo, PCGamer77, Parf.