About

<h2>Overview</h2><p>Monster Max is an aspiring guitarist who is compelled to save the world from a music-hating invader. In order to proceed, he needs to solve a series of puzzle-based isometric dungeons, collecting or destroying a specific object to complete the stage. After each floor is successfully cleared (three stages apiece), he ascends to the next, more difficult set.</p><h2>Gameplay</h2><p>Max is limited to basic movement in any stage initially, but can collect certain power-ups that increase his ability to explore and proceed past traps and obstacles. Usually, these items need to be found before he can complete the stage's objective. In a sense, it employs the Metroidvania system of incremental progression, except Max needs to collect these items each time and not all items appear in each stage. These items include:</p><p>Boots - Allows Max to jump, to get over low obstacles.</p><p>Duck - Allows Max to duck, to get through narrow gaps.</p><p>Bag - Allows Max to collect blocks in the level, to use as mobile platforms.</p><p>Sword - Allows Max to attack certain enemies, removing them.</p><p>Super Spell - Allows Max to destroy all enemies on the screen, including those immune to the regular Spell and Sword. The Super Spell becomes the regular Spell afterwards.</p><p>Spell - Allows Max to destroy certain enemies.</p><p>Forcefield - Makes Max invincible but unable to move, useful for standing on moving platforms that travel past deadly traps.</p><p>Stars - Allows Max to take a hit once without dying. They can be stacked.</p><p>Spring - Allows Max to jump twice as high as usual, though disappears after so many uses.</p><p>Map - Reveals the entire map for that stage.</p><p>Gold Bars - A bonus item Max can collect for extra points, should he finish the stage.</p><h2>Saving</h2><p>Monster Max, though developed after the advent of battery back-ups for Game Boy games (notably <a data-ref-id="3030-3645" href="/the-legend-of-zelda-links-awakening/3030-3645/" slug="the-legend-of-zelda-links-awakening">The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening</a>), does not include this feature. Instead, the game's progress is saved with a password system the player is required to record.</p>