Maximo: Ghosts to Glory (2001)

Developer: Capcom Production Studio 8
Publisher: Capcom
Platforms: PlayStation 2
Genres: Adventure
Rating: 3.9 of 5, 15 player ratings

The 3D catalog: game boxes on wooden shelves, with the cat sitting at the counter next to its greeting.

The catalog in 3D

The same catalog has a room you can walk around in. The cat behind the counter is the AI Catbot, and they pick real games from it when you tell them what you feel like playing. Nothing is for sale, here or in there. Go in from here and this game is already out on the counter, with more like it waiting on the shelf next to it.

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How it feels

A relentless hack-and-slash gauntlet where you chip away at hordes of undead enemies while your armor literally falls off piece by piece, leaving you increasingly vulnerable until you're fighting monsters in your underwear.

challengingaction-packedgothicpunishingfast-paceddark fantasyarcade-stylecombo-driven

About

The game is based in the Ghosts'n Goblins universe and features original character designs by Japanese illustrator Susumu Matsushita. The 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 combos and special moves. 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.

What players say

A deliberately cutthroat 3D spiritual successor to Ghosts 'n Goblins, with stylish flair undercut for some by a harsh checkpoint/continue system that makes death costly. Respected as a tough-but-fair throwback that rewards persistence, even as its difficulty kept it niche.

Screenshots

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This page is from Underplayed Gems, a catalog of older and overlooked games. Not quite it? You can browse by platform and genre, or take this one into the 3D catalog and ask the Catbot for something closer.