Metal Max

This article is about the video game. For the series, see Metal Max (series).

Metal Max
Cover art
Developer(s)	Crea-Tech
Publisher(s)	Data East
Series	Metal Max series
Platform(s)	Family Computer, Virtual Console
Release date(s)	Family Computer JP May 24, 1991 Virtual Console JP April 27, 2010
Genre(s)	RPG
Mode(s)	Single-player
Media/distribution	320-Kilobit cartridge

Metal Max (メタルマックス^?) is a 1991 vehicle combat role-playing video game developed by Crea-Tech and published by Data East for the Nintendo Famicom exclusively in Japan on May 24, 1991 and later re-released on the Wii Virtual Console on April 27, 2010. It is the first of the Metal Max series. Metal Max is set in a futuristic post-apocalyptic world, where the surviving humans cluster in underground villages and ruins while "monster hunters" fight the monsters and outlaws outside.^[1][2] The game got a sequel, Metal Max 2, and was remade for the Super Famicom as Metal Max Returns.

Gameplay

Metal Max was an early example of an open-ended and non-linear role-playing video game. It lacked a predetermined story path, but the player was instead given the choice of which missions to follow in whatever order while being able to visit any place in the game world.^[3][2] The ending can be determined by the player, who can alter the ending through their actions, complete the game at almost any time, and can continue playing the game even after the ending.^[2]

The character classes, such as a mechanic or soldier, could be chosen for the player characters, who would fight in turn-based battles either on foot or using tanks. The player could create tanks, customize and make a variety of modifications to them, remodel and enhance each part, strengthen the defense, repair damaged parts, and give them more shells.^[3][2]

Remake

Metal Max Returns
Cover art
Developer(s)	Crea-Tech
Publisher(s)	Data East
Producer(s)	Masaharu Masuda
Designer(s)	Hiroshi Miyaoka
Composer(s)	Satoshi Kadokura
Series	Metal Max series
Platform(s)	Super Famicom Virtual Console
Release date(s)	Super Famicom JP September 29, 1995 Virtual Console JP November 15, 2011
Genre(s)	Console role-playing
Mode(s)	Single-player
Media/distribution	32-megabit cartridge

Metal Max Returns (メタルマックス リターンズ^?) is a post-apocalyptic role-playing video game developed by Crea-Tech and published by Data East for the SNES. The game will also be released by Enterbrain for the Japanese Wii Virtual Console on November 15, 2011.

It is a remake of the original Metal Max for the NES, featuring improved graphics and sound, revised areas, references to Metal Max 2 and decreased difficulty. It is the third game in the Metal Max series, and its direct sequel is Metal Saga: Hagane no Kisetsu on the Nintendo DS. It also contains many elements that were later found in Metal Saga: Sajin no Kusari on the PS2. More than 17 million copies of this game were sold at a price of 12,800 yen per copy (the equivalent of $165 USD).^[4]

Setting and game mechanics

The game is set an unknown number of years after the end of modern human civilization. The survivors clustered into villages or began to live among the ruins, and those who fought the monsters and robots outside became known as monster hunters. These men and women salvage tanks and tank parts in order to defeat monsters and outlaws and collect bounties on them. Although the previous civilization has been ruined, the environment is not as desolate as many post-apocalyptic settings, with plentiful trees and water.

The gameplay is classic RPG fare: the characters travel from town to town, having random encounters on the way, upgrading items and tanks as they go. The object is to become a well-known and respected hunter by defeating the monsters with bounties on their heads, which can be done in any order the player pleases. There is a surprisingly rich storyline, but as it is not forced on the player it must be actively sought out. A large part of the game is customizing tanks: tank parts can be bought or found, and the parts, as well as the tank itself, can all be modified. The player uses a BS-Controller (BS-Con), a personal computer system, to track data about things such as towns, tanks, bounties and experience points. Combat is turn-based. There are a large number of miscellaneous items, weapons and upgrades, most with unique or uncommon capabilities.

Characters

The Hunter 

The main character, a young man who dreams of becoming a monster hunter.

The Mechanic 

A young man who wants to travel the world and become a great tank mechanic.

The Soldier 

A rough woman who hopes to best her rival, Red Wolf.

Hunter's Dad 

A gruff tank mechanic who disowns his son over his wild and impractical ambitions.

Dr. Minchi 

A doctor who resurrects characters by electric shock.

Red Wolf 

A mysterious hunter who drives a bright red tank.

Noah 

A supercomputer that was made by scientists, and hope it can work out a way to saving the world. By analyzing more and more data, it starts to "think" that killing humans is the only way to saving the earth.

Tanks

Mosquito 

The first tank that the hunter finds.

Buggy

Van 

Can recover character's HP while move in the world.

LAV

Tiger

Abrams 

A tank that is sold in the port of a slum.

Red Wolf 

Character Red Wolf's tank.

White Muu

References

1. ^ Metal Max at MobyGames
2. ^ ^{a b c d} Metal Max (Translation), Crea-Tech
3. ^ ^{a b} Metal Max (Translation), Virtual Console, Nintendo
4. ^ zzpanke; Anar-Isil (2009-08-15). "MM系列FAMI通评论" (in 简体中文). Steel Rally. http://metalmax.org/mm-famitsu-comments.html. Retrieved 2011-05-23. "METAL MAX RETURNS 推测销量：170012 总分：30 FC上发售的RPG『METAL MAX』的加强版，通过改造攻击力、主炮，可以做出自己独创的战车。 游戏平台：SFC 发售日期：1995年9月29日 发售价格：12800" 

External links

• Metal Max at MobyGames
• Crea-Tech's Metal Max Returns page
• METAL MAniaX's Metal Max Returns database
• A fan translation of Metal Max Returns