When it comes to flatulent-powered propulsion Pey’j’s Jet-Boots (“Beyond Good and Evil”) would normally come to mind, but for reaching the depths of space from ground level by passing gas is where “Space Max” launches from. The game is similar to jumper apps such as “New Tap Order 2” but with monkey flatulence to get off Planet Cowa-426 (Planet of the Xenocows). The only obstacles are objects that are randomly generated, including stone blocks, meteors, bulls, and cows. However, to help make the game progressively easier you can buy new helmets, suits, and jet packs that improve gas, gravity, and thrust respectively.
Collect enough Bolts for gear or retries by either playing the game or paying microtransactions, going as far as $100 for one million Bolts. The game is generous since it rewards you with Bolts as gifts and mission rewards (daily). There are also free Bolts and multipliers by watching videos, making ads optional.
On your way up you’ll need to refill your gas meter by collecting bananas: single bananas for small amounts, a bunch of bananas which gives you plenty of gas, and radioactive bananas that upon collecting three will give Max a Legendary Release and soar several feet. It’s a fairly fun fart humor game but there are a few problems. The random generation could spawn Bolts or bananas between a few blocks, making it impossible to get. And retrying after hitting the left or right wall won’t go well because the game only removes the generated obstacles (which the walls aren’t) and does not reposition Max.
The background goes from where Max crashed landed up into space, with the mountain behind the crash site being a cow parody of Mount Rushmore. They really went home with the cows since you’ll also encounter them wearing old space fishbowl helmets. Max is of course the prime ape character in his astronaut suit but the different gear options come in sets based on pop culture references like disco and Iron Man. The only thing missing from this set is a helmet based on a skull but only on a few people may get that reference.
There are some tracks that would fit a title featuring a monkey but the music, however, is somewhat drowned out by the farting. Max does make a few sounds (like any monkey would), but you’ll most likely remember farting. Even the app’s notifications will cause your smart device to have flatulence. And no, there is no cowbell; only farting and maybe some xylophone music.
Only controls in “Space Max” is just tapping the screen to thrust with control in direction based on where you tap. The X-Axis is inverted but that makes sense since you need to fart in a general direction to propel. There is an issue after getting a game over where you may accidentally hit a button if you were rapidly tapping the screen though it’ll most likely be either the Shop or Upgrade if you tap near the tap.
Pros:
+ Quirky humor with farting and cows.
+ Variety of gear based on pop culture references.
+ Generous with Bolts and advertisements.
Cons:
– Does not reposition Max after hitting a wall.
Gameplay: 3.5/5
Graphics: 4/5
Sound/Music: 3.5/5
Controls: 4/5
Replay value: 3/5
Verdict: 3.5/5
“Space Max” is a decent jumper game, though I think it’ll take some time for some people to get used to the controls (I never met a person that uses X-Invert controls to move). I’ll have to say it’s a very generous game to play. The microtransactions can have crazy prices, but it doesn’t force you to do anything, aside from passing gas.
Title: Space Max
Developer: Tiny Games Srl
Format: Android
Genre: Arcade
Resolution: 720×1280
Release date: 2017-05-10
Difficulty: Normal
Spent time: 2+ hours
Average grade internationally: No rating as of writing (Gamerankings.com).
PEGI/ESRB age rating: PEGI 3/Everyone
Price: Free
Credit:
Robin Ek – Editor
David Lucas
The Gaming Ground
Twitter: @GamerFoxem
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Tags: Android, Android review, Indie games, Mobile games, Space Max, Tiny Games Srl