Game | |
Metal Max | |
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Japanese Name | メタルマックス |
Developer(s) | Crea-Tech |
Publisher(s) | Data-East |
Release Date(s) |
JP: 24 May 1991 (NES) |
Genre | RPG |
Metal Max is a one of the first nonlinear, open world, turn-based role-playing video game (with vehicle combat elements) for the Nintendo Entertainment System.[1] It is co-developed by both Crea-Tech and Data East, while the latter served as a publisher for this game[2].
The game spawned sequels such as Metal Max 2, and Metal Saga: Hagane no Kisetsu, which were both published in the years of 1993 and 2006 respectively. A Remake would be published four years later for the Super Famicom.
This article mainly utilizes references to the fan-translated English patch by Stargood.[3]
Synopsis[]
The hunter embarks on their adventure to acquire additional tanks and fellow party members in the post-apocalyptic world, immediately after their mechanic father disowns, and kicks them out of their repair garage.
Gameplay[]
Metal Max is the first RPG to incorporate vehicles in their side view battle system. Functioning like a secondary health bar with extra combat actions, vehicles aid the Hunter and their party to traverse the wasteland, beating various monsters, machines, and outlaws with relative ease. Other features include modding, improving chassis and engine stats. Vehicles also function as a primary fast travel ability through the Dog System, sold in most Tank Part shops, to "teleport" to previously-visited towns, aside from the on-foot only Transfertron found in select towns of the post-apocalyptic world.
Controls[]
NES Controller | |
Directional Keys
(⬅⬆➡⬇) |
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START |
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SELECT |
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A |
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B |
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Characters[]
- Hunter - The protagonist, starts off in Riorado (Leorad in the remake,) aspires to be a great monster hunter.
- Mechanic - One of the Hunter's companions, starts off in a house outside Pobre Obre, dreams of becoming a well-known mechanic.
- Soldier - Another one of the Hunter's companions, starts off in a bar inside Audrey, motivated to fight and be stronger than the legendary hunter, Wolf.
- Wolf - A proud, legendary hunter riding one of the best tanks in game; the Red Wolf. Initially assists the Hunter into acquiring their first tank, and relinquishes control of the Red Wolf (to the Hunter's party) after succumbing to his injuries fighting Gomez in the Secret Waterfall Base.
- Nina - Wolf's beloved who has been kidnapped and Wolf's main motivation for how he is. Depending on if you bring his tank or not to the fight against Bad Valdez will determine her fate.
- Dad - The protagonist's hardy mechanic father, disappointed to the Hunter's aspirations to become a hunter, disowns and kicks out the Hunter of his repair garage. Serves to end the game via the retire option to start the credit sequence of Metal Max.
- Noah - The main antagonist and final boss of the game, Noah is a supercomputer and rogue AI that initiated the "Great Destruction" by crippling the World's military, and subsequently developing bio-mechanical monstrosities to be unleashed among the surviving remnants of humanity.
Obtainable Tanks[]
- Mosquito - A light tank found in the abandoned Southern Caves of Riorado.
- Buggy - A fast-attack vehicle found in the Shoreside Factory east of Pobre Obre.
- Van - An ambulance found in the abandoned hospital west of Rocco.
- Panther - A WW2 medium tank found buried in the Beach Cave east of Freeza.
- LAV - An APC found in the city of Sol.
- Tiger - A WW2 heavy tank bought in Port Slum, southeast of Audrey.
- Red Wolf - A modified main battle tank found in Gomez's Secret Waterfall Base southwest of Santa Poco. Originally piloted by the legendary hunter Wolf.
- King Tiger - Another modified, WW2 heavy tank parked in the abandoned Ghost Base north of Canabelle.
Videos[]
Trivia[]
- The font used in the Metal Max 1 logo is Berthold City bold by Georg Trump