What do you get when you mix a solid platform game with a freeform drawing mechanic and some very impressive physics?
You get one of the more innovative games to hit WiiWare since, well, ever!
Max & the Magic Marker is now available for download on the Wii and it is certainly worth your wii points. Press Play stay true to their word and you CAN draw anything. The drawing in this game is very robust, I'll even go so far as to say it's the best I've seen in a game so far, but it does have it's limitations. More specifically it has one constraint: you draw shapes, not things. Mainly what this means is if you draw an airplane... you can't fly it. You can however, make many interesting things out of the shapes you draw. Simplicity is the key.
In Max & the Magic marker your strength lies in drawing simple shapes that combine into more complicated systems. Synergy. And it works impressively well. The limit really is your own imagination, well, that and the amount of ink available at the time.
Mixed in is some classic platforming which gives a break from the puzzle solving and offers a nice change in pace. The two are not completely separated though. The running and jumping work quite well with the drawing. When Max moves in the world he exerts forces on his surroundings, he can also grab, pull and push the objects in the world including the drawings. So between this little boy and gravity you have a nice amount of energy to get your drawings in motion.
All this freedom comes with a price of course. Some of the puzzles can be rather difficult as can some of the more intense action-oriented sections. A "time-freeze" mechanic (signaled by the graphics turning into quirky, child-like drawings) comes in handy and certainly relieves much of the pressure, but even when Max is safe and you have all the time in the world to think and react... you still have to think. Personally, I see that as a good thing, a little thinking never hurt anyone.
The main story of Max & the Magic Marker takes a few hours to beat, depending on your abilities. It can feel a bit short for some, but seems appropriate for a title costing only 1000 wii points. And there is plenty to do beside just finishing stages. Collectables are hidden through out the worlds and can be collected to unlock extra features in the game, I won't spoil it by saying what they are. Also, your progress through each stage is timed. If you can complete a stage under the preset time you get a medal. Get enough of those and you unlock more stuff.
In conclusion, Max & the Magic Marker is a worthwhile title built on an interesting mix of mechanics and is full of surprises. With all the fun you will have unlocking the extra goodies on top of the main game progression, Max & the Magic Marker certainly earns a spot on your Wii.
Pixel Scribes: "Max & the Magic Marker is a 2D side scroller that centres on youngster Max who receives a ‘Magic Marker’ through the mail. After discovering that it brings to life whatever it draws, he inadvertently creates an evil aubergine army (as you do) headed by boss man Mustachio. To track Mustachio down and stop him, Max jumps into his cartoon world magic Sharpie in hand. As you can probably guess, this is the perfect opportunity for motion controls and if you have a PS Move you can wield full control of the Magic Marker. With or without, you will still need to draw platforms to reach new heights, create objects to drop on enemies’ heads and generally solve puzzles that need squiggles to proceed."
Easy Interactive has revealed a revision to the previously proposed box art for the forthcoming European retail release of the Wii and Nintendo DS versions of Max & the Magic Marker. Set to launch later this month, Max & the Magic Marker has already seen significant success on PC and mobile platforms, as well as Nintendo’s WiiWare service.
Easy Interactive has revealed a batch of new screenshots taken from the forthcoming retail release of the Wii version of Max & the Magic Marker, set for release next month. Max & the Magic Marker is a physics based 2D Puzzle/Platform game, in which the player controls the boy Max and his Magic Marker.
Man, is EU just now getting this? Its a great game, but i would like it, if the markings didn't have gravity. its a bit annoying when you make stairs to walk up on, and they tip over and you have to draw it again
