Max: The Curse of Brotherhood

The reviews of The Story of Max: The Curse of Brotherhood highlight several positive aspects, particularly its whimsical tone and nostalgic appeal. Critics like Nintendo Life and COGconnected praised the game’s charming, Pixar-esque narrative, emphasizing its focus on brotherly love and relatable sibling dynamics. Eurogamer Italy noted the story’s emotional depth and nostalgic parallels to classics like Labyrinth and Goonies, while The Escapist acknowledged its functional role as a backdrop for gameplay, allowing players to engage with puzzle-solving and platforming mechanics. The magic marker mechanic, highlighted by Vandal, was seen as a unique touch that added creativity to the adventure. Additionally, some reviewers, such as Destructoid, appreciated the light-hearted premise centered on Max’s accidental wish for his brother to disappear, which provided a relatable emotional core despite its simplicity. However, the narrative faced widespread criticism for being shallow, clichéd, and lacking depth. Gaming Nexus and IGN criticized the story as unmemorable, with a weak premise involving Max wishing his brother away and underdeveloped characters that failed to resonate. LevelUp and Cubed3 pointed to absurd dialogue and an unlikable protagonist, while Eurogamer and Xbox Achievements noted the lack of complex themes or emotional stakes. The plot was repeatedly described as straightforward and derivative, with Polygon calling it “threadbare” and aimed at younger audiences, and XGN criticizing its unengaging cutscenes. Even Vandal acknowledged awkward cinematics that detracted from immersion, while Game Informer and 3DJuegos highlighted the absence of meaningful character development or narrative complexity beyond the core premise. Overall, the critics’ consensus leans toward a mixed but largely critical assessment. While the game’s whimsical tone, nostalgic references, and gameplay mechanics garnered some praise, the narrative’s lack of originality and depth was a consistent flaw. Eurogamer Italy and Destructoid acknowledged its charm and emotional resonance, but most reviewers, including Gaming Nexus, IGN, and Polygon, felt the story failed to deliver a compelling or memorable experience. The game’s reliance on familiar tropes and underdeveloped characters overshadowed its potential, leaving it as a functional but unremarkable entry in the genre. Despite some positive notes, the majority of critics agreed that The Curse of Brotherhood prioritized gameplay over narrative substance, resulting in a story that felt more like a backdrop than a driving force.

The gameplay of Max: The Curse of Brotherhood is largely praised for its innovative magic marker mechanic, which allows players to creatively manipulate environments by drawing objects like vines, water fountains, and platforms. Critics highlight the puzzle-solving aspects as a standout feature, with many noting the clever use of this tool to solve challenges. IGN describes the marker-based puzzles as "innovative," while Eurogamer applauds the evolving abilities that require creative combinations of tools. The game’s balance of cerebral puzzles and action sequences is also praised, with Nintendo Life appreciating the "creative and intuitive" puzzle design, and COGconnected acknowledging a mix of challenge and creativity. Additionally, some reviewers, like GameCritics, note that the controls become more intuitive over time, and Gamers’ Temple praises the game’s gradual introduction of mechanics and balanced difficulty curve. However, the gameplay is frequently criticized for its technical shortcomings, particularly in control precision and platforming consistency. Multiple critics, including Cubed3, GameGrin, and Post Arcade, point to "frustrating" or "unfair" platforming mechanics, with inconsistent physics and awkward jump timing. The magic marker’s drawing system is often described as sluggish or imprecise, with Digital Spy and GameTrailers criticizing the "sluggish" control scheme on consoles. Issues like trial-and-error design, unclear hazards, and excessive retries are recurring complaints, as noted by Post Arcade and Official Xbox Magazine. Additionally, some reviewers, such as Hardcore Gamer and Edge Magazine, highlight that while the puzzles are engaging, their reliance on guesswork and timing problems detracts from the experience. The checkpoint system is occasionally praised for mitigating frustration, but many feel it doesn’t fully compensate for the game’s design flaws. Overall, critics agree that Max: The Curse of Brotherhood has a compelling core concept centered around its magic marker mechanic, which offers creative puzzle-solving and unique environmental interactions. However, the execution is marred by control issues, inconsistent platforming, and repetitive elements that undermine the experience. While some reviewers, like Nintendojo and Gamers’ Temple, acknowledge improvements in controls and pacing over time, others, such as Cubed3 and GameGrin, argue that these flaws significantly detract from the game’s potential. The consensus leans toward a mixed reception: the game is praised for its innovation and creativity but criticized for technical shortcomings and design choices that prioritize challenge over accessibility. Despite this, many recognize its charm and originality, suggesting it appeals to fans of puzzle-platformers willing to overlook its flaws.

The reviews of Max: The Curse of Brotherhood consistently highlight its vibrant and imaginative visual design as a standout feature. Many critics praised the game’s 2.5D environments, noting their lush detail, colorful palettes, and creative world-building. For instance, GameSpot and Gamers’ Temple lauded the "stunning visuals" and "lifelike 3D effects," while The Escapist emphasized the Unity3D engine’s ability to craft "vibrant, lively environments." The art style was frequently compared to Pixar, with Nintendo Life highlighting "beautifully animated cutscenes reminiscent of Pixar standards" and DarkZero noting its resemblance to Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee. The game’s whimsical, fairy-tale-inspired aesthetic—featuring diverse settings like deserts, volcanoes, and forests—was celebrated for its charm, with PlayStation Country praising the "distinctive art style" and Switch Player calling the environments "jaw-dropping" with "memorable artistic choices." However, several critics pointed to technical limitations and a lack of visual innovation. AusGamers and Vandal criticized the use of the Unity engine as "cheap" on newer consoles, citing issues like blurry edges, low-resolution textures, and awkward animations. Everyeye.it (XBOX ONE) described the graphics as "clearly dated," while SpazioGames noted frame rate drops during rain scenes. Some reviewers felt the art style, though charming, lacked originality or distinctiveness. Cubed3 observed that environments felt "generic" despite technical quality, and EGM remarked that the visuals were "adequate but not distinctive." Additionally, performance issues on certain platforms—such as reduced resolution on the Nintendo Switch (Meristation) and screen judder (Metro GameCentral)—were noted as detractors from the overall experience. Despite these critiques, the consensus among critics leans toward appreciation for Max: The Curse of Brotherhood’s visual design as a cohesive and creative strength. While technical shortcomings and dated aesthetics were acknowledged, many emphasized that the game’s art style successfully complemented its whimsical tone and narrative. GameGrin noted the "odd but occasionally beautiful aesthetic," while Eurogamer called the visuals "functional" and "effective." The blend of 2.5D environments, dynamic lighting, and imaginative world design—despite limitations—was seen as a key factor in the game’s charm. Ultimately, while not groundbreaking, the visual presentation was widely regarded as a highlight, with IGN and GameCritics praising its "stunning" and "richly detailed" environments that rival computer-animated films. The mixed reception reflects a balance between admiration for creativity and frustration with technical execution.

The sound design and music of Max: The Curse of Brotherhood received mixed but generally positive feedback from reviewers, with several praising their effectiveness in enhancing the game’s atmosphere. Critics like God is a Geek highlighted the varied musical score, noting its range from Danny Elfman-esque melodies to ambient and chase themes that complement gameplay seamlessly. Meristation praised the “genial banda sonora” (great soundtrack), emphasizing its role in supporting the game’s tone, while MondoXbox called the sound department “excellent,” crediting it for contributing significantly to the overall experience. Additionally, Xbox Achievements described the audio as “delightful and catchy,” noting its positive impact on the game’s atmosphere. These reviews suggest that the soundtrack effectively aligns with the game’s narrative and action sequences, creating an immersive environment despite not being groundbreaking. However, several critics pointed out shortcomings in originality and emotional depth. Everyeye.it (PS4 and Xbox One) criticized the music as “uninspired” and lacking memorable tracks, with a mysterious atmosphere that fails to leave a lasting impression. Similarly, Gamer.nl found the music “somewhat forgettable,” while Worth Playing noted that the light-hearted score occasionally feels out of place. 3DJuegos (Xbox One) mentioned that sound effects are “functional but unremarkable,” and LevelUp criticized short, irritating dialogue that detracts from the experience. These critiques highlight a recurring issue: while the audio elements serve their purpose, they often lack distinctiveness or emotional resonance, leaving players with a sense of mediocrity rather than standout quality. Overall, the consensus among critics is that Max: The Curse of Brotherhood’s sound design and music are competent but unexceptional. While some reviewers, like God is a Geek and MondoXbox, celebrated its atmospheric contributions and technical execution, others, including Everyeye.it and Worth Playing, found it lacking in originality and memorability. The mixed reception suggests that the audio elements effectively support the game’s mechanics and tone but fail to elevate it beyond average. Though there are pockets of praise for specific aspects—such as the “varied musical score” or “excellent sound department”—the majority of critiques point to a lack of innovation, leaving the soundtrack as a functional yet unremarkable component of the experience.

The voice acting in Max: The Curse of Brotherhood receives generally positive feedback from multiple reviewers, highlighting its role in enhancing the game’s narrative and character engagement. COGconnected emphasizes that the "great voice acting" is a key strength, contributing to the game’s charm and depth of character development. Switch Player praises the performances as "well-done and not annoying," noting that Max’s relatable personality helps maintain player engagement throughout the levels. GameSpot acknowledges that the voice work avoids being obnoxious, effectively supporting the story’s emotional beats without distracting from gameplay. Hardcore Gamer commends the cast for taking the material seriously, with specific praise for Max’s portrayal as a confused child and the antagonist’s distinctive, Inspector Gadget-esque voice. Vandal also notes that the English voice acting is "functional," with Max’s enthusiastic comments adding personality and charm to the experience. These reviews collectively suggest that the voice work is competent and contributes meaningfully to the game’s atmosphere. While most critiques are favorable, some reviewers point to minor shortcomings or divisive elements. Video Chums criticizes the human characters’ voices as "unappealing," though they offer no further details on the quality of the performance. Worth Playing notes that specific lines, such as Felix’s constant crying or Max’s arrogance, might be polarizing for players. Additionally, ZTGD’s review is cut off, leaving uncertainty about their perspective. These criticisms are relatively minor compared to the overall positive reception, but they indicate that certain aspects of the voice acting may not resonate with all audiences. The focus on Max’s personality and emotional depth in several reviews suggests that while the voice work is effective, it may not consistently elevate the experience beyond functional execution. The consensus among critics leans toward a balanced appreciation for the voice acting, acknowledging its strengths while recognizing room for improvement. Most reviewers agree that the performances are adequate or even commendable, with particular praise for Max’s character and the overall tone of the dialogue. However, the lack of detailed analysis on technical aspects like vocal range or emotional nuance in many reviews suggests a general satisfaction rather than enthusiastic acclaim. Critics like COGconnected and Hardcore Gamer highlight specific moments where the voice acting enhances storytelling, while others, such as Video Chums and Worth Playing, point to isolated issues that don’t detract from the game’s broader appeal. Overall, the voice acting is seen as a solid component of Max: The Curse of Brotherhood, contributing to its charm without being a defining feature.

The technical performance of Max: The Curse of Brotherhood varies across platforms, with some positives noted despite widespread issues. On Xbox One, critics like GameGrin and Eurogamer Italy acknowledge that while the game has flaws, it remains functional and playable, with “valid technical aspects” and a generally stable experience. Nintendo Life highlights that the Switch port, though less optimized, is still “playable,” and Cubed3 on PS4 notes minor glitches but emphasizes the game’s overall stability. For PS4, GameGrin mentions that while platforming physics are inconsistent, the game avoids major crashes, and Eurogamer praises its smooth pace despite control limitations. The Switch version, though criticized for touch-screen imprecision (as noted by Nintendojo), is deemed “acceptable” due to frequent checkpoints and a forgiving death system. However, technical shortcomings dominate across all platforms. On Xbox One, the game faces significant issues: Metro GameCentral criticizes imprecise controls and screen judder, while Gamereactor Denmark highlights frustrations with the analog stick as a drawing tool. Digital Spy points to “frustrating” physics and camera issues, and Polygon mentions crashes and glitches like Max falling through floors. For Nintendo Switch, Meristation reports frequent frame drops during complex scenes, while DarkStation notes clunky controls and floaty jumps. On PS4, Cubed3 and GameGrin cite physics inconsistencies and checkpoint placement issues, with PlayStation LifeStyle criticizing unsuitable controls for fast action. Despite these flaws, many reviewers agree that checkpoints and lenient penalties mitigate some frustrations. Overall, the consensus is that Max: The Curse of Brotherhood suffers from technical imperfections across all platforms, but these are often offset by its design choices. While Xbox One struggles most with control precision and physics (as noted by IGN and God is a Geek), Switch faces optimization challenges due to its hybrid nature (per Nintendojo and Meristation). The PS4 version, though stable, has minor glitches that detract from immersion. Despite these issues, most critics agree the game remains playable, with Xbox Achievements and GamingTrend noting that technical flaws are “acceptable” given the absence of Kinect support or the porting challenges. The frequent checkpoints and forgiving mechanics, highlighted by multiple reviewers like GameGrin and Vandal, ensure that technical hiccups don’t derail the experience entirely, even if they occasionally test patience.

The positive aspects of Max: The Curse of Brotherhood’s replay value are highlighted by several critics who emphasize collectibles, hidden puzzles, and varied challenges as incentives for multiple playthroughs. Everyeye.it notes that the game’s "freshness and puzzle variety" encourage revisiting, while PlayStation Country points to level select features and collectibles that allow players to chase trophies or missed items. Nintendojo praises the "engaging puzzles and addictive progression," suggesting repeated playthroughs for exploration and mastery, and Switch Player highlights the motivation to collect all "evil eyes" and explore environments. Additionally, Nintendo Life acknowledges the "varied mechanics" of puzzles keeping the experience fresh, and Multiplayer.it mentions hidden collectibles like Moustacho’s eyes as a draw for completionists. These elements collectively create a foundation for replayability, particularly for players seeking to uncover secrets or achieve 100% completion. However, critics also point out significant limitations that dampen long-term appeal. GameGrin describes the game as "underwhelming with significant flaws," noting limited incentive to revisit despite its story and art style. Meristation criticizes the "short duration and repetitive puzzle mechanics," while Gaming Nexus calls the story "forgettable" and the level design "bland," arguing that gameplay alone isn’t enough to justify multiple playthroughs. Similarly, Xbox Achievements highlights the "short runtime (4-5 hours)" and minimal post-game content, and Metro GameCentral criticizes rigid puzzle solutions and repetitive trial-and-error mechanics. Critics like EGM and GamingTrend also note that the lack of standout features or meaningful challenges reduces replayability, with EGM calling the experience "OK" and GamingTrend suggesting that harder sections might deter some players from revisiting. These critiques underscore a general consensus that while there are elements to revisit, they fall short of creating a compelling long-term experience. Overall, the critics present a mixed but nuanced view of Max: The Curse of Brotherhood’s replay value. While collectibles, hidden puzzles, and varied challenges provide some incentive for completionists—particularly on platforms like Nintendo Switch (as noted by Nintendojo and Switch Player)—the game’s short runtime (typically 5–10 hours) and repetitive mechanics limit its appeal beyond a single playthrough. Critics like Everyeye.it and Multiplayer.it acknowledge the modest replayability offered by secrets and optional content, but many, including GameGrin, Meristation, and Gaming Nexus, argue that these elements are insufficient to overcome the game’s structural shortcomings. The consensus leans toward Max being a worthwhile experience for its charm and creativity but one that struggles to justify repeated playthroughs without significant additional content or deeper mechanics. For casual players or those drawn to its art style, it may offer enough to revisit, but for others, the lack of substantial post-game incentives makes it a fleeting adventure.