Maximo: Ghosts to Glory

Maximo: Ghosts to Glory (also known as just simply Maximo [1] in Japan and Europe) is a 3D hack and slash platform game developed by Capcom for the PlayStation 2. The game is based in the Ghosts 'n Goblins universe and features original character designs by Japanese illustrator Susumu Matsushita. It's a part of PlayStation 2 Greatest Hits.
Contents
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* 1 Plot
* 2 Development
* 3 Gameplay
* 4 Reception
* 5 See also
* 6 References
* 7 External links

[edit] Plot

After returning from fighting a distant war, Maximo discovers that Achille, his once trusted adviser, has taken over his kingdom and captured his betrothed, Sophia. Achille kills Maximo soon after his return. Maximo's soul is then caught in limbo, and the Grim Reaper (or Grimm) confronts him. He reveals that Achille had been using an enormous drill to dig into the Underworld itself, stealing souls for his army of the undead. In exchange for killing Achille and destroying the drill, Grimm offers to return Maximo to the mortal world. Upon accepting the offer, Maximo sets out to free the four Princesses of the four realms. With their help, Maximo returns to his own castle and defeats Achille. He is then attacked by Sophia, who reveals herself to be a demon that had been manipulating Achille. After killing it, Maximo is told by Grimm that the real Sophia is still alive. The game ends with the two of them setting out to find her together.
[edit] Development

Maximo is an attempt to merge Ghosts 'n Goblins universe with illustrator Susumu Matsushita manga artwork. The title was originally planned for Nintendo 64 but was delayed for several years and transferred for Dreamcast and later PlayStation 2.[2]

The concept was created by Capcom Digital Studio head David Siller who wanted to bring back "old school" game play. The game was produced by Mark Rogers and designed by David Siller, Bill Anderson and Scott Rogers. Jonathan Casco was the art director. The artistic team placed special emphasis on the design and rendering of the characters, as well as putting a great deal of work into the environmental effects. The game's music, which varies from stage to stage, includes orchestrated remixes of the tracks found in Ghouls 'n Ghosts and Ghosts 'n Goblins composed by Tommy Tallarico.

Maximo was presented in E3 2001 and released in the end of the same year in Japan and in early 2002 in United States and Europe.
[edit] Gameplay

Maximo takes place in a dynamic, fully 3D world. The character is controlled by the player and can move freely within areas by running, jumping, crouching, and performing other various motions. Gameplay revolves around defeating large numbers of enemies, which can be accomplished by attacking with a sword and shield and combos and special moves. Like in the Ghosts series, Maximo fights wearing armor. If he is hit, he will lose corresponding pieces of armor and eventually be reduced to wearing his boxer shorts, with another hit resulting in him losing a life. If Maximo loses all his lives, he can continue by giving Death Coins to the Grim Reaper. However, everytime he loses all his lives, the required cost for a continue increases.

The game is split in 5 major worlds: The Boneyard, The Great Dank, Graveyard of Ships, Realm of Spirit and Castle Maximo. Each world has four stages to beat and a boss battle. In a world, the player enter on a first mandatory stage and then moves to a portal stage with entrances for other stages in that world. Those portal stages offers options to save, travel to other worlds and buy health and food. Some enemies also appear in portal stages.

The game also has many references to Ghouls n' Ghosts gameplay elements, such as the ability to crush graves and the hero being attacked by spells turning into animals.
[edit] Reception
Publication Score
Famitsu

32/40
GameSpot

7.9/10
IGN

9.2/10
Compiler Aggregate score
Metacritic [3]

84

Maximo was well received, though criticized for being difficult and inaccessible. Saving is restricted to predetermined points and certain levels present obstacles that some have declared too challenging to overcome. The reviews were mixed, portraying the difficulty of the game. Ghost to Glory achieved PlayStation 2 Greatest Hits status in the United States seling more than 400,000 units in North America. A sequel, Maximo vs. Army of Zin was released in 2003 with better critical reception.

IGN ranked Maximo at #6 of Top 10 hardest games of PlayStation 2. [4]

The future of the series is unknown. Capcom not commented or announced any new plans for Maximo. Leaked artworks confirmed that a third game began in production in 2004 but was eventually cancelled.

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