Alex and I did some shopping while we were in town on Wednesday. We’ve finished Ratchet and Clank for the Playstation2 (actually, we’ve finished it twice so far, and are on our third run through, trying to get hold of all the secrets and extras), and I was feeling in the mood for something new.
I was tempted by Devil May Cry, but ended up buying Maximo instead. I should have gone with my first impulse, because Maximo is severely disappointing. Level design is dull, combat is repetitive and lacks any kind of intensity or threat, and the camera does its own funky thing, mostly in order to stop you from seeing where you’re going or who you’re fighting.
I think I’ve been spoiled by Ratchet and Clank. I have got so used to being able to control the camera with the right analog stick that playing a game without this freedom to look around feels incredibly restrictive. On the other hand, I slapped on Vice City yesterday evening, and even though it has no analog camera control, it is never a problem. So maybe it is just Maximo that’s rubbish.
I stuck with Maximo for about an hour or so, but on top of the camera frustrations and annoying lack of save points, it just wasn’t entertaining me, either. That’s the real fatal flaw. If it had a more interesting story line, or if I felt involved with the characters in any way, I’d be inclined to give it the benefit of the doubt. But it doesn’t. So it gets part-exchanged next time I feel like buying something at GAME. (Or maybe I’ll list it on Trodo?)