I should've named my self "Maximofan" instead of "Shadowheartsfan" !
The entire game is classic. The control scheme is genius, due to being so easy to learn. That alone makes the game good. But, what makes the game so good? Three things.
1. The level design. Its great. Each level is filled with great platforming ( with the exception of some levels with no platforming in them.) , with tricks every where, and for example, the water in the 4th area of the game for every level in the area is infested with electricity, making you cautious on what to do, especially on the boss of that area. 2. The difficulty. The normal difficulty is well done, while hard mode is the real game. The difficulty makes you think before you do something, and it makes the game longer. This game is harder than about 95% of action and adventure games now a days. This is refreshing and makes the game so much better. Recommended to start on Hard mode.
3. The weapons. A sword, a hammer, a fire sword, and an ice sword. The sword and hammer are basic at the first areas ofthe game, but the real fun with weapons is when you get the fire sword and ice hammer near the end. The fire sword gets you more hits, its faster, flashier, and a bit stronger. The best weapon of all though, is the ice hammer. Its, a normal slow hammer with ice. What's so good about that? Well, it usually hits tons of enemies at once, and when you hit an enemy with it, it freezes till you hit it again! That alone makes the game very fun.
There are a few issues. One, its WAAAAY too short. I barely play any action games or adventure games, and I suck generally at games, and I beat this in 4 hours and 30 minutes! But, I played it again on hard mode, and it took me 8 and a half, so hard mode is definetaly recommended. Two is that there are NO SIDE AREAS. Sure, there are unlockable art galleries and movies, but that's it. Trying to get 100% in each level adds about another hour and a half, but that's it. If the main game had about 3 more levels and one more boss, it would have been awesome. Overall perfect.
Graphics: 9.0/10.0
The graphic engine is okay, but the fantastic art direction makes the game fancy. Along with great looking armor for Maximo, the enemies and levels are detailed and fantastic. The cutscenes are exciting and fun to watch, and are well done. The best thing about the game, are the CG scenes. Some of the best I've seen, but there are ONLY 3 WITHIN THE GAME!!!!! That was the ONLY graphical fault within the game for me.
Sound: 9.0/10.0
Fantastic and nostalgic music, great voice acting, great sound effects. Overall, awesome, due to the variety of music clips voices and sound effects.
Value: 9.0/10.0
While the normal mode game is very short its so good that this might be the only game you bother to even do a hard mode with, so hard mode adds another 9 hours, and getting 100% with everything will add another hour or two. Overall, very long for an action game, especially since this game is VERY hard.
Seriously, buy this. You will not be disapointed ( aside from the fact that there are only 2 CG scenes.). Trust me.