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Review of Max: The Curse of Brotherhood on PS4

by Max Rathon Max Rathon photo Nov 2017
Cover image of Max: The Curse of Brotherhood on PS4
Gamefings Score: 7
Platform: PS4 PS4 logo
Released: 08 Nov 2017
Genre: Puzzle, Platformer
Developer: Press Play
Publisher: Microsoft Studios, Wired Productions

Introduction

Welcome to the whimsical world of Max: The Curse of Brotherhood! Imagine a magical realm filled with puzzles, platforming, and a giant, creepy claw that's ready to snatch up your younger sibling. If that sounds like your cup of tea (or perhaps more like a suspicious potion), then buckle up because we're about to dive into the colorful, vibrant antics of Max and his unfortunate brother Felix.

Gameplay

At its core, Max: The Curse of Brotherhood is all about that sweet blend of platforming excitement and mind-bending puzzles. The game boasts an impressive setup of seven chapters filled with a total of 20 levels-because why settle for less? Movement feels smooth as butter, and you'll be leaping, climbing, and swinging your way through the beautifully crafted environments. Grab your trusty magic maker-yes, you heard that right-a magic marker that grants you powers to manipulate the environment to solve puzzles. Think of it as Mario meets Bob Ross, minus the fro. As Max, you must utilize the magic marker to reshape terrain, create platforms, and interact with the world around you. Puzzle design stretches your brain cells as you juggle platforming moments, but there's a catch; this isn't just a simple point-and-click adventure. The magic marker takes some practice and patience. Be prepared for moments where you might accidentally create a mighty wussy ramp instead of a sturdy bridge. It's all part of the fun, right? At least you can blame the game for making you feel inadequate in your artistic skills. Forget Picasso; you're struggling with a simple squiggly line. Each level flows into the next like a single continuous adventure rather than isolated experiences, giving you that warm feeling of a grand journey-not just another one-off level. Plus, who doesn't love a good 'save the sibling' quest? Let's all just agree that siblings are the absolute worst, especially when they mess with your stuff. You'll encounter various enemies and obstacles along the way, adding layers of excitement (and frustration) to the experience. Side note: keep an eye out for the evil Mustacho. His name sounds like a villain right out of a cheesy children's cartoon, and let me tell you, he looks the part too.

Graphics

Visually, Max: The Curse of Brotherhood is nothing short of stunning. The game's graphics can only be described as 'if Pixar and a video game had an adorable baby.' The 2.5D aesthetic creates a beautiful backdrop for your adventure, with lush, vibrant environments that cover everything from sprawling forests to mystical caverns. Everything feels alive-from the moving waters to the dancing shadows animated by a brilliant lighting system. If you don't find yourself staring at the scenery and thinking, 'Wow, I wish my room looked like this...' you might need to reassess your design goals. The colors pop like fireworks at a birthday party; everything's bright, cheerful, and a little less grim than the world outside your window. The character designs are whimsical and charming, with Max embodying that classic hero look; he's like five seconds away from saving the world, yet completely capable of tripping over his own shoelaces. Playing with Max feels like you're moving through a living storybook, and boy, is that a refreshing aesthetic in a sea of gray and gloom that some games seem to drown in.

Conclusion

Max: The Curse of Brotherhood is a fun platforming adventure filled with whimsical charm, solid puzzles, and beautiful graphics. Sure, it can be a tad frustrating when the controls betray your artistic intentions, but the eventual triumph over creative chaos (or the popcorned remains of your sibling soon-to-be creature under the evil Mustacho) makes it worthwhile. If you're looking for something to play when you don't want your brain to implode but still want to feel smart-ish, this game fits the bill perfectly. Just remember, if you ever want to test the depths of your patience and linguistic skills, spell-casting is the way to go-whether it solves your problems, or sends you down the rabbit hole is up to you!

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