View source for Maximo: Ghosts to Glory

{{Short description|2001 video game by Capcom}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2016}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Maximo: Ghosts to Glory
| image = Maximo - Ghosts to Glory Coverart.png
| alt = North American cover art
| caption = North American cover art
| developer = [[Capcom|Capcom Digital Studios]]
| publisher = Capcom
| director = David Siller<br />Mark Rogers
| producer = Mark Rogers<br />Naoto Tominaga
| designer = David Siller<br />Scott Rogers<br />William Anderson
| artist = [[Susumu Matsushita]]<br />Jonathan Casco
| programmer = Yoshi Hatano<br />Narayanan Vaidyanathan<br />Sean Butterworth<br />Keith Weatherly
| composer = Tommy Tallarico Studios<br />Todd Dennis<br />Chris Rickwood<br />Howard Ulyate<br />Shane Keip
| engine = 
| series = ''[[Ghosts 'n Goblins]]''
| platforms = [[PlayStation 2]]
| released = {{vgrelease|JP|December 27, 2001|NA|February 12, 2002<ref>{{Cite web |date=2002-06-11 |title=Press Releases |url=http://www.capcom.com/news/news.xpml?prid=300013 |access-date=2023-04-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020611052431/http://www.capcom.com/news/news.xpml?prid=300013 |archive-date=11 June 2002 }}</ref>|EU|March 1, 2002}}
| genre = [[Action-adventure game|Action-adventure]]
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]]
}}
'''''Maximo: Ghosts to Glory''''', known in Japan, Korea, Europe and Australia as {{nihongo|'''''Maximo'''''|マキシモ|Makishimo}}, is a [[3D computer graphics|3D]] [[hack and slash]] [[platform game|platform]] [[video game]] developed by [[Capcom]] for the [[PlayStation 2]]. The game is based on the ''[[Ghosts 'n Goblins]]'' universe and features original character designs by Japanese illustrator [[Susumu Matsushita]]. The game was followed by a sequel, ''[[Maximo vs. Army of Zin]]'' in 2003.

==Gameplay==
Maximo takes place in a dynamic, fully [[3D computer graphics|3D]] world. The titular 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 [[Combo (video gaming)|combos]] and [[Fighting game#Special attacks and combos|special moves]]. Like in the ''[[Ghosts 'n Goblins|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, every time he loses all his lives, the required cost for a continue increases. The game features other elements that reference the Ghosts series, such as the ability to crush graves and Maximo turning into an animal after being hit by a spell.

The game features five major worlds: The Boneyard, The Great Dank, Graveyard of Ships, Realm of Spirit and Castle Maximo. Each world has four stages to complete and a [[boss (video gaming)|boss]] battle. In a given world, it is mandatory for the player to enter the first stage, and then they can travel to a portal stage with entrances to other stages in that world. These portal stages offer options to save, travel to other worlds and buy health and food. Some enemies also appear in portal stages. After defeating each boss, the player can choose to either receive a health bonus, save the game, or receive a kiss from a rescued sorceress, with a special reward granted for getting kisses from all four sorceresses.

==Plot==
{{More plot|date=November 2014}}

Maximo, a brave king, returns to his castle from the far off war to find his kingdom is falling with the sorceresses being imprisoned throughout. Worst of yet was that his once trusted advisor Achille has forced Queen Sophia to marry him. He attempts to rescue her from his clutches who has awoken the power of the underworld. However Achille proves too powerful and strikes down Maximo with one blast of his dark magic, killing him. Now floating in the underworld, Maximo is approached by Grim who reveals that Achille is drilling into the underworld to harvest souls, fueling his undead army. Feeling that he would be out of the job if there are no more dead, Grim makes a deal with Maximo to bring him back to life in exchange for stopping Achille's evil plans; sending him back to the earth in the process where his journey begins.

==Development and release==
''Maximo'' is an attempt to merge the ''[[Ghosts 'n Goblins (video game)|Ghosts 'n Goblins]]'' universe with illustrator [[Susumu Matsushita]]'s manga artwork. The title was originally planned for [[Nintendo 64]] but was delayed for several years and transferred to [[PlayStation 2]].<ref>{{cite web | title=Hardcore Gaming 101: Ghosts 'n Goblins | url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/gng/gng5.htm | publisher=Hardcore Gaming 101 | accessdate=February 3, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091207024536/http://hardcoregaming101.net/gng/gng5.htm | archive-date=7 December 2009 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all }}</ref>

The concept was created by Capcom Digital Studio head David Siller (creator of ''[[Crash Bandicoot]]'' and ''[[Aero the Acro-Bat]]'') who wanted to bring back "old school" gameplay. 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. Siller also drew the level designs on paper in pencil and pen.<ref name="Maximo-Design">{{cite magazine |last=Sheffield |first=Brandon |title=Good Old Designs Spotlight on David Siller |url=http://twvideo01.ubm-us.net/o1/vault/GD_Mag_Archives/GDM_November_2009.pdf |magazine=[[Game Developer (magazine)|Game Developer]] |volume=16 |issue=10 |publisher=[[United Business Media]] |date=November 2009 |page=5 |accessdate=April 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312080304/http://twvideo01.ubm-us.net/o1/vault/GD_Mag_Archives/GDM_November_2009.pdf |archive-date=12 March 2016 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> 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'', arranged by artists from Tommy Tallarico Studios.

''Maximo'' was presented in [[Electronic Entertainment Expo|E3 2001]]. It was released at the end of the same year in Japan and in early 2002 in the United States, Korea, and Europe.

The game was re-released on the budget labels [[Greatest Hits (PlayStation)|Greatest Hits]] in North America and [[The Best (PlayStation)|The Best]] in Japan on the PlayStation 2. It was also re-released on the [[PlayStation Network]] for the [[PlayStation 3]] in North America on October 4, 2011 and in Europe on February 15, 2012.

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| MC        = 84/100<ref name=MC>{{cite web | title=Maximo: Ghosts to Glory for PlayStation 2 Reviews | url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/maximo-ghosts-to-glory/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2 | website=[[Metacritic]] | accessdate=April 15, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160420070038/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/maximo-ghosts-to-glory | archive-date=20 April 2016 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all }}</ref>
| Allgame   = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web | last=Marriott | first=Scott Alan | title=Maximo: Ghosts to Glory – Review | url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=35137&tab=review | publisher=[[AllGame]] | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115075105/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=35137&tab=review | archivedate=15 November 2014 | url-status=dead | accessdate=April 15, 2016}}</ref>
| Edge      = 7/10<ref>{{cite magazine | author=Edge staff | title=Maximo | magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] | issue=107 | date=February 2002}}</ref>
| EGM       = 8.5/10<ref>{{cite magazine | author=EGM staff | title=Maximo: Ghosts to Glory | magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] | issue=152 | date=March 2002 | page=136}}</ref>
| EuroG     = 8/10<ref>{{cite web | last=Bramwell | first=Tom | date=February 28, 2002 | title=Maximo : Ghosts to Glory | url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_maximo_ps2 | website=[[Eurogamer]] | accessdate=April 15, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826165019/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_maximo_ps2 | archive-date=26 August 2014 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all }}</ref>
| Fam       = 31/40<ref name=Fam>{{cite magazine | title=プレイステーション2 – マキシモ | magazine=[[Famitsu]] | volume=915 | date=June 30, 2006 | page=90}}</ref>
| GI        = 9/10<ref>{{cite magazine | last=Reiner | first=Andrew | title=Maximo: Ghosts to Glory | url=http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200203/R03.0801.1027.21161.htm | magazine=[[Game Informer]] | issue=107 | date=March 2002 | page=76 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080320200808/http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200203/R03.0801.1027.21161.htm | archive-date=20 March 2008 | url-status=dead | access-date=April 15, 2016}}</ref>
| GamePro   = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine | author=Tokyo Drifter | title=Maximo: Ghosts to Glory Review for PS2 on GamePro.com | url=http://gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/20583.shtml | magazine=[[GamePro]] | date=March 2002 | page=94 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050206184940/http://gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/20583.shtml | archivedate=6 February 2005 | url-status=dead | accessdate=April 15, 2016}}</ref>
| GameRev   = B<ref>{{cite web | author=G-Wok | date=February 2002 | title=Maximo: Ghosts to Glory Review | url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/maximo-ghosts-to-glory | publisher=[[Game Revolution]] | accessdate=April 15, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150908082317/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/maximo-ghosts-to-glory | archive-date=8 September 2015 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all }}</ref>
| GSpot     = 7.9/10<ref>{{cite web | last=Satterfield | first=Shane | date=February 8, 2002 | title=Maximo: Ghosts to Glory Review | url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/maximo-ghosts-to-glory-review/1900-2846622/ | website=[[GameSpot]] | accessdate=April 15, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160713230414/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/maximo-ghosts-to-glory-review/1900-2846622/ | archive-date=13 July 2016 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all }}</ref>
| GSpy      = 90%<ref>{{cite web | last=Guzman | first=Hector | date=February 12, 2002 | title=Maximo: Ghosts to Glory | url=http://archive.gamespy.com/reviews/february02/maximops2/ | publisher=[[GameSpy]] | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050205195759/http://archive.gamespy.com/reviews/february02/maximops2/ | archivedate=5 February 2005 | url-status=dead | accessdate=April 15, 2016}}</ref>
| GameZone  = 9/10<ref>{{cite web | last=Bedigian | first=Louis | date=February 11, 2002 | title=Maximo: Ghosts to Glory Review | url=http://ps2.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r17273.htm | publisher=GameZone | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080210213915/http://ps2.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r17273.htm | archivedate=10 February 2008 | url-status=dead | accessdate=April 15, 2016}}</ref>
| IGN = 9.2/10<ref>{{cite web | last=Perry | first=Douglass C. | date=February 13, 2002 | title=Maximo: Ghosts to Glory | url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/02/13/maximo-ghosts-to-glory | website=[[IGN]] | accessdate=April 15, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160127230305/http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/02/13/maximo-ghosts-to-glory | archive-date=27 January 2016 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all }}</ref>
| OPM       = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine | title=Maximo: Ghosts to Glory | magazine=[[Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine]] | date=March 2002 | page=104}}</ref>
| rev1      = ''[[The Cincinnati Enquirer]]''
| rev1Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite news | last=Saltzman | first=Marc | date=March 13, 2002 | title=Gaming getaways | url=http://cincinnati.com/freetime/games/reviews/031302_gamegetaway.html | newspaper=[[The Cincinnati Enquirer]] | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080211105737/http://cincinnati.com/freetime/games/reviews/031302_gamegetaway.html | archivedate=11 February 2008 | url-status=dead | accessdate=April 15, 2016}}</ref>
| rev2      = ''[[Maxim (magazine)|Maxim]]''
| rev2Score = 6/10<ref>{{cite magazine | last=Porter | first=Alex | date=February 15, 2002 | title=Maximo: Ghosts to Glory | url=http://www.maximonline.com/entertainment/reviews/review_games_2668.html | magazine=[[Maxim (magazine)|Maxim]] | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20020606011554/http://www.maximonline.com/entertainment/reviews/review_games_2668.html | archivedate=6 June 2002 | url-status=dead | accessdate=April 15, 2016}}</ref>
}}
The game received "favorable" reviews according to video game [[review aggregator]] [[Metacritic]].<ref name=MC/>  In Japan, ''[[Famitsu]]'' gave it a score of 31 out of 40.<ref name=Fam/>

The game achieved [[PlayStation 2 Greatest Hits]] status in the United States, selling more than 400,000 units in North America. [[IGN]] ranked ''Maximo'' at #6 on its list of the Top 10 Most Challenging PS2 Games of All Time, saying it was "a real test for true-blooded action-seekers."<ref>{{cite web | author=IGN staff | date=April 27, 2005 | title=The Top 10 Most Challenging PS2 Games of All Time | url=http://m.ign.com/articles/2005/04/27/the-top-10-most-challenging-ps2-games-of-all-time | website=IGN | accessdate=April 15, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161027043013/http://m.ign.com/articles/2005/04/27/the-top-10-most-challenging-ps2-games-of-all-time | archive-date=27 October 2016 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all }}</ref> [[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]’s Rich Knight named ''Maximo'' the 43rd best PlayStation 2 game, believing it successfully captured the spirit of ''Ghosts ‘n Goblins''.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/the-50-best-ps2-games-ever/ |title=The 50 Best PS2 Games Ever |author=Rich Knight |date=1 March 2018 |magazine=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]] |accessdate=17 May 2019 }}</ref>

{{clear}}

==Sequel==
A sequel titled ''[[Maximo vs. Army of Zin]]'' was released in 2003, also for the PlayStation 2. Leaked artworks confirmed that a third game began in production in 2004 but was eventually cancelled.{{citation needed|date=November 2014}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060108080717/http://www.capcom.co.jp/newproducts/consumer/ps2maximo/ Official website] {{in lang|ja}} via [[Internet Archive]]
* {{moby game|id=/ps2/maximo-ghosts-to-glory}}

{{Ghosts'n Goblins}}

[[Category:2001 video games]]
[[Category:3D platformers]]
[[Category:Action-adventure games]]
[[Category:Cancelled Nintendo 64 games]]
[[Category:Dark fantasy video games]]
[[Category:Ghosts 'n Goblins]]
[[Category:Hack and slash games]]
[[Category:PlayStation 2 games]]
[[Category:PlayStation 3 games]]
[[Category:PlayStation Network games]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Video game spinoffs]]
[[Category:Video games adapted into comics]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Tamayo Kawamoto]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Tommy Tallarico]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United States]]