MAX

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MAX: Mechanized Assault & Exploration
Studio Interplay Productions
Publisher Interplay Productions
Senior Developer Ali N. Atabek, Paul Kellner
Erstveröffent-
lichung
January 1996
platform MS-DOS , Windows
genre Turn-based strategy game
Game mode Single player , multiplayer
control Keyboard & mouse
system advantages
preconditions
medium CD-ROM , download
language English German
Age rating
USK released from 12

MAX: Mechanized Assault & Exploration is a turn-based strategy game by the US computer game developer Interplay Productions from 1996. The computer game was produced and distributed by Interplay. Although there were strategy games in real-time mode when the game was released, this game was rated very positively due to its wide range of influence.

action

In the distant future, the peoples of the Star Lords have robbed their planets of all resources: war broke out between the peoples who previously lived in peace and tolerance. After many battles, which resulted in great losses on all sides, the war was ended and the powerful lords founded the Concord. The members of Concord agreed on a set of rules to avoid having to deal with their own disputes about new settlement areas in the future. Mostly uniform, robotic combat units armed with rockets or projectile weapons are deployed. A command unit into which a living brain has been transplanted is used to manage these units - the mech commander. The planets conquered in this way are colonized by members of the aid peoples on behalf of a member of the Concord. One of these auxiliary peoples is humanity, which had to leave the earth. The people have divided into different clans, which offer the Concord members their services to secure and colonize planets. Two groups of clans have emerged. One of these groups pursues the plan to free humanity from the dependence of the Concord.

Gameplay

The aim of the game is to conquer a planet represented by the playing field by reaching certain victory conditions. Either all or certain enemy buildings must be destroyed or the planet must be dominated by operating ecospheres. The number and duration of these buildings are included in the evaluation. The destruction of an eco-sphere, however, cancels its valuation, so that protecting it from destruction can be decisive in the game. Variants of these victory conditions can be found mainly in the campaign game, which consists of 7 successive missions.

The playing field consists of a grid of 112 × 112 square fields. The player starts the game with given units and at least one mine, which provides a certain amount of resources. The player must now find and develop resources, use these resources to build buildings and units and finally meet the victory condition without being destroyed by another player beforehand.

Three resources can be found in the game. Metals are used as raw materials for the construction of buildings and units. Fuel is converted into energy in power plants, which is consumed by factory buildings. Gold can be mined and exchanged for credit, which is used to purchase improvements. The raw materials can also be stored and transported. There are separate storage facilities and transport vehicles for each raw material. In order for the buildings to function, they must be interconnected. The movable units are either on the ground, in the air, or in the water. Few units can move amphibiously. The vast majority of units and buildings serve very special purposes and accordingly have very special abilities. Certain units can only attack certain opponents or only be caught or attacked by certain units. Water platforms and bridges are available to build on or to cross water areas. Humans can also set up live infantry units that can take out and take over enemy units. Occasionally, the game also features Concord combat units with clearly superior properties. These cannot be built by the player but can be conquered by infantry units.

Each clan has certain advantages, so that its units can already have improvements in their basic equipment. By purchasing further improvements, each attribute of a constructible unit can be improved within certain limits. Research can also increase the basic values ​​of some attributes collectively and indefinitely. Concord combat units cannot be manually upgraded and upgrade their skills at random.

The possibilities of withholding certain resources from the opponent or exploiting certain weaknesses with tailor-made units open up numerous tactical options, but usually require a very sophisticated approach. Occasionally it can be enough to interrupt a certain building connection to deprive the opponent of options. Players and computer opponents mostly have the same means of power. Like the player, the computer opponent must first look for his raw materials, first build his buildings and also first educate the opponent.

The game program supports network games for up to four players via IPX .

reception

"With an excellent mixture of elements from real-time and turn-based strategy, Interplay succeeds in creating the surprise of the month."

- Michael Galuschka : Power Play

“Like Jagged Alliance and X-COM before , MAX will go down in history as one of the most neglected strategy game hammers. Reason: the almost simultaneous release of red alert . The C&C offshoot has a lot that MAX largely lacks. Magnificent graphics, a continuous story, LOTS of atmosphere and last but not least that certain something that makes a cult game. On the other hand, MAX trumps with an almost perfect interface (at least at Z level ), unbeatable re-and-replayability, an abundance of balanced units and buildings, high complexity and cunning computer opponents. "

“Command & Conquer, move over. MAX does it better, albeit with players spending much more time learning the game. "

Command & Conquer , back to the side. MAX does it better, even if the players have to invest a lot more time to learn the game. "

- Kevin Mical : GameSpot

Ratings:

successor

In 1998 a second part entitled MAX 2 was published as a real-time strategy game .

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. http://www.kultboy.com/index.php?site=t&id=805
  2. http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/max-review/1900-2542474/