Posted September 18, 2009
First off, forget MAX 2 - It's rubbish and just a minor bonus so that you can see how they tried to (unsuccessfully) evolve the series. But it makes no difference, because MAX is absolutely insane.
I bought this game back when I was at University and played it loads with a couple of other friends over our little home IPX network. It was obviously really good and managed to combine the turn-based element with a touch of real-time with the simultanious mode.
Now I have bought it again now (after playing all the major strategies through the ages; AoE, Total War, Empire, etc ...), I have realised that this is by far the greatest strategy game ever made (other than chess)! It was so far ahead of its time it's rediculous.
Not only does it combine air, sea and land units though stealth units, troops, mechs, planes and naval units, it has a very comprehensive set of vehicles and buildings which all play a major role in building up the ultimate base. Furthermore, there are so many defensive options that you can build a full-scale base with brilliant defenses, logistics and offensive capabilities.
Add this to the enormous range of units and clever upgrade paths makes this the deepest strategy I have ever played. The fact that it is turn based is a MASSIVE advantage and anyone reading this that thinks that they should steer clear of it because they think that RTS' are better I can assure you that this will single-handedly change your opinion.
VERY steep learning curve means that it will frustrate you at first, but give it tiem and you will see just how amazing this game is. As always, you need to play it on multiplayer to really see how increadible the game actually plays.
AND HERE IS THE USEFUL PART ...
A team from Northern Europe have released a TCP/IP mod fof MAX called MAX Reloaded. This (if you have MAX installed already) takes the files and rebuilds them into a version that has full TCP/IP connectivity so you can play your mates via LAN or over the internet! Therefore, you can do your bit for GOG by buying the game (and they make it stable by running it via DOS BOX) and then can use the mod to make it absolutely perfect.
I bought this game back when I was at University and played it loads with a couple of other friends over our little home IPX network. It was obviously really good and managed to combine the turn-based element with a touch of real-time with the simultanious mode.
Now I have bought it again now (after playing all the major strategies through the ages; AoE, Total War, Empire, etc ...), I have realised that this is by far the greatest strategy game ever made (other than chess)! It was so far ahead of its time it's rediculous.
Not only does it combine air, sea and land units though stealth units, troops, mechs, planes and naval units, it has a very comprehensive set of vehicles and buildings which all play a major role in building up the ultimate base. Furthermore, there are so many defensive options that you can build a full-scale base with brilliant defenses, logistics and offensive capabilities.
Add this to the enormous range of units and clever upgrade paths makes this the deepest strategy I have ever played. The fact that it is turn based is a MASSIVE advantage and anyone reading this that thinks that they should steer clear of it because they think that RTS' are better I can assure you that this will single-handedly change your opinion.
VERY steep learning curve means that it will frustrate you at first, but give it tiem and you will see just how amazing this game is. As always, you need to play it on multiplayer to really see how increadible the game actually plays.
AND HERE IS THE USEFUL PART ...
A team from Northern Europe have released a TCP/IP mod fof MAX called MAX Reloaded. This (if you have MAX installed already) takes the files and rebuilds them into a version that has full TCP/IP connectivity so you can play your mates via LAN or over the internet! Therefore, you can do your bit for GOG by buying the game (and they make it stable by running it via DOS BOX) and then can use the mod to make it absolutely perfect.