In its core Max: The Curse of Brotherhood is a physics-based puzzle/platformer and set in a 2.5D environment with a free and cinematic camera. The game has 7 chapters and 20 levels in total All levels are connected so the game feels like one long journey. Besides platforming, the gameplay twist is the magic marker which introduces a creative and open approach to how puzzles can be solved. Throughout the game the magic marker will gain different powers. The five powers are 1. Earth pillars. You can create pillars from the earth to reach higher grounds. 2. Tree branches - You can grow trees to use them as platforms, springboards, rafts and moveable objects. Branches also catch fire. 3. Vines which work like ropes. You can crawl and swing in vines, but vines can also be used to tie objects together. 4. Water streams can be shaped freely and will move objects as well as Max along their path. 5. You must destroy obstacles and defeat Mustacho’s minions. Each of the five powers are introduced in settings similar to the power themselves. The magic marker is triggered by pressing and holding RT and controlled by the right analog stick of the Xbox One controller and while controlling the magic marker Max cannot move at all.
About the story
Max, the main protagonist of Max & the Magic Marker arrives home from school one day and finds his younger brother Felix playing in his room and smashing his beloved toys. Being annoyed by his little brother Max searches online on the search engine website “Giggle” for a way to get rid of Felix. He immediately stumbles upon a spell which promises to make his brother disappear. Reading the spell out loud opens up a mysterious portal from which a giant claw emerges and kidnaps his little brother Felix. Realizing the consequences of his actions, Max jumps without hesitation into the portal to rescue Felix and enters a magical and hostile world controlled by the evil lord Mustacho and his henchmen.
Platforms
Switch PC PS4 X360 XONEGenres
Adventure Platform PuzzleThemes
Action
Languages: English and 6 more
| Interface | Audio | Subtitles | |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | |||
| Italian | |||
| French | |||
| German | |||
| Spanish (Spain) | |||
| Portuguese (Brazil) | |||
| Portuguese (Portugal) |
Media
Critic Reviews
Nintendojo
By Robert MarrujoOverall, Max: The Curse of Brotherhood is a great game that feels like it's really found a home on Switch.
FinalBoss
ByReleased in 2013, Max: The Curse of the Brotherhood has been picking up rave reviews since it landed on the Xbox One all those years ago. So popular was it, in fact, that it was eventually developed for the PC and PS4. Now, this bright little puzzle-platform game has made its way to the Switch. But how does it stack up all these years later?
Pure Nintendo
By Kirk HinerIt's easy to overlook Max: The Curse of Brotherhood when searching for a good platformer, but don't. Some frustrating moments aside, it's a well-designed twist on the genre that's quite at home on the Nintendo Switch in terms of visuals and controls. Those who didn't complete it on other platforms will find the Switch's touchscreen eases much of the difficulty, and the $15 price tag ($30 for the physical copy) makes it a game that's easy to pick up between bigger releases. And if there's a lesson to be learned here, it's that you really shouldn't mess around with spells you find online. You never know which ones will actually work…even if they don't begin with “I wish…”
Nintendo Insider
By Alex SeedhouseFor every thrilling moment that you experience from the game’s cinematic aspirations and standout puzzle design, Max: The Curse of Brotherhood fumbles soon after. It’s an uneven adventure, but one that can still celebrate many successes – even if it fails to rival some already strong competition on the Nintendo eShop for Nintendo Switch.
Worth Playing
By Andreas SalmenMax: The Curse of Brotherhood is a solid puzzle game with some platforming elements, even if it isn't a particularly great platformer on its own. If you can look past the occasionally clunky controls and its inherent frustrations, you're in for a treat with the great level design.
