M.A.X. + M.A.X. 2

One of the best ones and in-depth complex games, unrivaled by many of the contemporaries. Turn based on top of it! But in a setting and with unit controls similar to many modern RTS. Attention GOG users: the game comes shipped with latest DOSbox - 0.74. It works fine with it, but the perfromance is underwhelming. The game shows much better performance and is by far more stable under DOSBox 0.72. This was thoroughly tested by me and am adamant that 0.72 is the version of DOSBox to go with. The difference in performance is especially noticeable in large-scale games with many units. In addition, MAX with 0.74 has an annoying "stack overflow" bug , kicking you out of the game once in a while, which 0.72 doesn't seem to trigger.

I've been playing this game on and off for a long time.....I keep hoping that somebody out there will make an update, but so far it hasn't happened (MAX Reloaded is in the works but has no AI at this time). This game has so much going for it that any turn-based fan will appreciate the fun and excitement if offers: * building a base * tactical/strategic planning * good variety of units all of which are useful in their own way * searching for resources * competent AI For me, this sort of game is so much more enjoyable than the frantic RTS offerings that seem to generally be less about strategy and more about quick clicking...... If the game was updated, all it would need are a few additional victory and setup options and it could offer unlimited replay value. As it is, the game already has tremendous replay value - I can attest to that. Highly recommended.

This is a short, very short review of Max 2. I loaded it up started the first mission (there is no Tutorial) and gave order to my units to move out and head up the ramps that are designed into the map. My units were totally lost as what to do with a simple move order. Some turned around and went the complete opposite direction then up the ramp, others could not figure out I wanted them on the ramp not moving along side the ramp on the ground beside it. Then the game keeps telling me there is not path to the area I told them to go, yet half my units headed and made it there. Why, oh why would the people who made this game put path ways in the very first map that the game has no way to handle with its current path finding. This first campaign felt a lot more like babysitting then playing a RTS style game. This looks like another short lived game on the hard drive. Here is the best tip I can give; save your money for a better game; one that actually works properly.

LOVE this game. one of my all time favorites back in the day.

For what it is, M.A.X. is phenomenal. It is a pure, core, chess-piece turn based strategy game. Each team starts with some different bonuses but always the exact same units. The depth is in upgrading those units and using them like chess pieces to counter others. For example, having a bunch of infiltrators disable gun turrets for your tanks and missile (not rocket, those are different!) launchers to take them out. Also, there's a great upgrading system - in fact two of them. Research is slow, done usually in several linked research centers, but gives all your units permanent boosts including in one trait that cannot be researched by gold: cost. The AI is also fantastic. Even on the 2nd lowest of 5 settings it can analyze you're moving dangerous units close and move them away. It will analyze the weak spots in your defense and move in to nail your production units. Heck, I've never played above the middle difficulty and I've owned the game for 20 years. I cringe to see what it could do. It is; however, a 90's release meant for the hardcore. The music is ambient and dark, but nothing memorable. There is one top-down view but you can zoom in and out (though it looks like crap unless you're zoomed in on the closest setting). One thing I do like is "simultaneous moves". Still turn based, but saves time since you and your opponents move all at the same time.