Metal Max
Encyclopedia
is a 1991 vehicle combat
role-playing video game
developed by Crea-Tech and published by Data East
for the Nintendo Famicom
exclusively in Japan
on May 24, 1991 and later re-released on the Wii
Virtual Console
on April 27, 2010. It is the first of the Metal Max series
. Metal Max is set in a futuristic post-apocalyptic
world, where the surviving humans cluster in underground villages and ruins while "monster hunters" fight the monsters and outlaws outside. The game got a sequel, Metal Max 2
, and was remade for the Super Famicom
as Metal Max Returns.
and non-linear role-playing video game. It lacked a predetermined story path, but the player was instead given the choice of which missions
to follow in whatever order while being able to visit any place in the game world. The ending
can be determined by the player, who can alter the ending through their actions, complete the game at almost any time, and can continue playing the game even after the ending.
The character class
es, such as a mechanic or soldier, could be chosen for the player character
s, who would fight in turn-based battles either on foot or using tanks. The player could create tanks, customize and make a variety of modifications to them, remodel and enhance each part, strengthen the defense, repair damaged parts, and give them more shells
.
developed by Crea-Tech and published by Data East
for the SNES
. The game will also be released by Enterbrain
for the Japanese Wii Virtual Console on November 15, 2011.
It is a remake of the original Metal Max
for the NES, featuring improved graphics and sound, revised areas, references to Metal Max 2
and decreased difficulty. It is the third game in the Metal Max series
, and its direct sequel is Metal Saga: Hagane no Kisetsu on the Nintendo DS. It also contains many elements that were later found in Metal Saga: Sajin no Kusari on the PS2. More than 17 million copies of this game were sold at a price of 12,800 yen per copy (the equivalent of $165 USD).
. The survivors clustered into village
s or began to live among the ruins, and those who fought the monster
s and robot
s outside became known as monster hunters. These men and women salvage tanks and tank parts in order to defeat monsters and outlaw
s and collect bounties
on them. Although the previous civilization has been ruined, the environment is not as desolate as many post-apocalyptic settings, with plentiful trees and water.
The gameplay is classic RPG fare: the characters travel from town to town, having random encounters on the way, upgrading items and tanks as they go. The object is to become a well-known and respected hunter by defeating the monsters with bounties on their heads, which can be done in any order the player pleases. There is a surprisingly rich storyline, but as it is not forced on the player it must be actively sought out. A large part of the game is customizing tanks: tank parts can be bought or found, and the parts, as well as the tank itself, can all be modified. The player uses a BS-Controller (BS-Con), a personal computer system, to track data about things such as towns, tanks, bounties and experience points. Combat is turn-based. There are a large number of miscellaneous items, weapons and upgrades, most with unique or uncommon capabilities.
The Mechanic : A young man who wants to travel the world and become a great tank
mechanic
.
The Soldier : A rough woman who hopes to best her rival, Red Wolf.
Hunter's Dad : A gruff tank mechanic who disowns his son over his wild and impractical ambitions.
Dr. Minchi : A doctor
who resurrects
characters by electric shock
.
Red Wolf : A mysterious hunter who drives a bright red tank.
Noah : A supercomputer
that was made by scientists, and hope it can work out a way to saving the world. By analyzing more and more data, it starts to "think" that killing humans is the only way to saving the earth.
Buggy
Van : Can recover character's HP while move in the world.
LAV
Tiger
Abrams : A tank that is sold in the port of a slum.
Red Wolf : Character Red Wolf's tank.
White Muu
Vehicular combat game
Vehicular combat games are typically video or computer games where the primary focus of play concerns automobiles or other vehicles, normally armed with guns or other weaponry, attempting to destroy vehicles controlled by the CPU or by opposing players...
role-playing video game
Role-playing video game
Role-playing video games are a video game genre with origins in pen-and-paper role-playing games such as Dungeons & Dragons, using much of the same terminology, settings and game mechanics. The player in RPGs controls one character, or several adventuring party members, fulfilling one or many quests...
developed by Crea-Tech and published by Data East
Data East
also abbreviated as DECO, was a Japanese video game developer and publisher. The company was in operation from 1976 to 2003, when it declared bankruptcy...
for the Nintendo Famicom
Nintendo Entertainment System
The Nintendo Entertainment System is an 8-bit video game console that was released by Nintendo in North America during 1985, in Europe during 1986 and Australia in 1987...
exclusively in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
on May 24, 1991 and later re-released on the Wii
Wii
The Wii is a home video game console released by Nintendo on November 19, 2006. As a seventh-generation console, the Wii primarily competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic than that of the two others...
Virtual Console
Virtual console
A virtual console – also known as a virtual terminal – is a conceptual combination of the keyboard and display for a computer user interface. It is a feature of some operating systems such as UnixWare, Linux, and BSD, in which the system console of the computer can be used to switch between...
on April 27, 2010. It is the first of the Metal Max series
Metal Max (series)
is a series of post-apocalyptic, vehicle combat, role-playing video games dating back to 1991. They have been developed by Crea-Tech and released for the NES, Super NES, PlayStation 2 and Nintendo DS platforms. As the trademark dispute, series use to release games until get trademark rights...
. Metal Max is set in a futuristic post-apocalyptic
Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction
Apocalyptic fiction is a sub-genre of science fiction that is concerned with the end of civilization due to a potentially existential catastrophe such as nuclear warfare, pandemic, extraterrestrial attack, impact event, cybernetic revolt, technological singularity, dysgenics, supernatural...
world, where the surviving humans cluster in underground villages and ruins while "monster hunters" fight the monsters and outlaws outside. The game got a sequel, Metal Max 2
Metal Max 2
Metal Max 2 is the second entry in the Metal Max series. It was a vehicle combat RPG published by Data East for the Super Famicom in 1993. Ten years later, the game was ported to the Game Boy Advance by Now Production under the title Metal Max 2 Kai...
, and was remade for the Super Famicom
Super Nintendo Entertainment System
The Super Nintendo Entertainment System is a 16-bit video game console that was released by Nintendo in North America, Europe, Australasia , and South America between 1990 and 1993. In Japan and Southeast Asia, the system is called the , or SFC for short...
as Metal Max Returns.
Gameplay
Metal Max was an early example of an open-endedOpen world
An open world is a type of video game level design where a player can roam freely through a virtual world and is given considerable freedom in choosing how to approach objectives...
and non-linear role-playing video game. It lacked a predetermined story path, but the player was instead given the choice of which missions
Quest (gaming)
A quest in role-playing video games — including massively multiplayer online role-playing games and their predecessors, MUDs — is a task that a player-controlled character or group of characters may complete in order to gain a reward...
to follow in whatever order while being able to visit any place in the game world. The ending
Multiple endings
Multiple endings refer to a case in entertainment where the story could end in different ways, described as an alternate ending.-Literature:...
can be determined by the player, who can alter the ending through their actions, complete the game at almost any time, and can continue playing the game even after the ending.
The character class
Character class
In role-playing games, a common method of arbitrating the capabilities of different game characters is to assign each one to a character class. A character class aggregates several abilities and aptitudes, and may also sometimes detail aspects of background and social standing or impose behaviour...
es, such as a mechanic or soldier, could be chosen for the player character
Player character
A player character or playable character is a character in a video game or role playing game who is controlled or controllable by a player, and is typically a protagonist of the story told in the course of the game. A player character is a persona of the player who controls it. Player characters...
s, who would fight in turn-based battles either on foot or using tanks. The player could create tanks, customize and make a variety of modifications to them, remodel and enhance each part, strengthen the defense, repair damaged parts, and give them more shells
Shell (projectile)
A shell is a payload-carrying projectile, which, as opposed to shot, contains an explosive or other filling, though modern usage sometimes includes large solid projectiles properly termed shot . Solid shot may contain a pyrotechnic compound if a tracer or spotting charge is used...
.
Remake
is a post-apocalyptic role-playing video gameRole-playing video game
Role-playing video games are a video game genre with origins in pen-and-paper role-playing games such as Dungeons & Dragons, using much of the same terminology, settings and game mechanics. The player in RPGs controls one character, or several adventuring party members, fulfilling one or many quests...
developed by Crea-Tech and published by Data East
Data East
also abbreviated as DECO, was a Japanese video game developer and publisher. The company was in operation from 1976 to 2003, when it declared bankruptcy...
for the SNES
Super Nintendo Entertainment System
The Super Nintendo Entertainment System is a 16-bit video game console that was released by Nintendo in North America, Europe, Australasia , and South America between 1990 and 1993. In Japan and Southeast Asia, the system is called the , or SFC for short...
. The game will also be released by Enterbrain
Enterbrain
is a Japanese magazine publisher established on April 1, 2000. Enterbrain magazines are generally focused on video games and computer entertainment as well as video game and strategy guides. In addition, the company publishes a small selection of anime artbooks. Enterbrain is based in Tokyo, Japan...
for the Japanese Wii Virtual Console on November 15, 2011.
It is a remake of the original Metal Max
Metal Max
is a 1991 vehicle combat role-playing video game developed by Crea-Tech and published by Data East for the Nintendo Famicom exclusively in Japan on May 24, 1991 and later re-released on the Wii Virtual Console on April 27, 2010. It is the first of the Metal Max series...
for the NES, featuring improved graphics and sound, revised areas, references to Metal Max 2
Metal Max 2
Metal Max 2 is the second entry in the Metal Max series. It was a vehicle combat RPG published by Data East for the Super Famicom in 1993. Ten years later, the game was ported to the Game Boy Advance by Now Production under the title Metal Max 2 Kai...
and decreased difficulty. It is the third game in the Metal Max series
Metal Max (series)
is a series of post-apocalyptic, vehicle combat, role-playing video games dating back to 1991. They have been developed by Crea-Tech and released for the NES, Super NES, PlayStation 2 and Nintendo DS platforms. As the trademark dispute, series use to release games until get trademark rights...
, and its direct sequel is Metal Saga: Hagane no Kisetsu on the Nintendo DS. It also contains many elements that were later found in Metal Saga: Sajin no Kusari on the PS2. More than 17 million copies of this game were sold at a price of 12,800 yen per copy (the equivalent of $165 USD).
Setting and game mechanics
The game is set an unknown number of years after the end of modern human civilizationCivilization
Civilization is a sometimes controversial term that has been used in several related ways. Primarily, the term has been used to refer to the material and instrumental side of human cultures that are complex in terms of technology, science, and division of labor. Such civilizations are generally...
. The survivors clustered into village
Village
A village is a clustered human settlement or community, larger than a hamlet with the population ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand , Though often located in rural areas, the term urban village is also applied to certain urban neighbourhoods, such as the West Village in Manhattan, New...
s or began to live among the ruins, and those who fought the monster
Monster
A monster is any fictional creature, usually found in legends or horror fiction, that is somewhat hideous and may produce physical harm or mental fear by either its appearance or its actions...
s and robot
Robot
A robot is a mechanical or virtual intelligent agent that can perform tasks automatically or with guidance, typically by remote control. In practice a robot is usually an electro-mechanical machine that is guided by computer and electronic programming. Robots can be autonomous, semi-autonomous or...
s outside became known as monster hunters. These men and women salvage tanks and tank parts in order to defeat monsters and outlaw
Outlaw
In historical legal systems, an outlaw is declared as outside the protection of the law. In pre-modern societies, this takes the burden of active prosecution of a criminal from the authorities. Instead, the criminal is withdrawn all legal protection, so that anyone is legally empowered to persecute...
s and collect bounties
Bounty
Bounty may refer to:* Bounty , an amount of money or other reward offered by an organization for the capture of a person or thingIn transportation:, an 18th century British Royal Navy ship...
on them. Although the previous civilization has been ruined, the environment is not as desolate as many post-apocalyptic settings, with plentiful trees and water.
The gameplay is classic RPG fare: the characters travel from town to town, having random encounters on the way, upgrading items and tanks as they go. The object is to become a well-known and respected hunter by defeating the monsters with bounties on their heads, which can be done in any order the player pleases. There is a surprisingly rich storyline, but as it is not forced on the player it must be actively sought out. A large part of the game is customizing tanks: tank parts can be bought or found, and the parts, as well as the tank itself, can all be modified. The player uses a BS-Controller (BS-Con), a personal computer system, to track data about things such as towns, tanks, bounties and experience points. Combat is turn-based. There are a large number of miscellaneous items, weapons and upgrades, most with unique or uncommon capabilities.
Characters
The Hunter : The main character, a young man who dreams of becoming a monster hunter.The Mechanic : A young man who wants to travel the world and become a great tank
Tank
A tank is a tracked, armoured fighting vehicle designed for front-line combat which combines operational mobility, tactical offensive, and defensive capabilities...
mechanic
Mechanic
A mechanic is a craftsman or technician who uses tools to build or repair machinery.Many mechanics are specialized in a particular field such as auto mechanics, bicycle mechanics, motorcycle mechanics, boiler mechanics, general mechanics, industrial maintenance mechanics , air conditioning and...
.
The Soldier : A rough woman who hopes to best her rival, Red Wolf.
Hunter's Dad : A gruff tank mechanic who disowns his son over his wild and impractical ambitions.
Dr. Minchi : A doctor
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
who resurrects
Resurrection
Resurrection refers to the literal coming back to life of the biologically dead. It is used both with respect to particular individuals or the belief in a General Resurrection of the dead at the end of the world. The General Resurrection is featured prominently in Jewish, Christian, and Muslim...
characters by electric shock
Electric shock
Electric Shock of a body with any source of electricity that causes a sufficient current through the skin, muscles or hair. Typically, the expression is used to denote an unwanted exposure to electricity, hence the effects are considered undesirable....
.
Red Wolf : A mysterious hunter who drives a bright red tank.
Noah : A supercomputer
Supercomputer
A supercomputer is a computer at the frontline of current processing capacity, particularly speed of calculation.Supercomputers are used for highly calculation-intensive tasks such as problems including quantum physics, weather forecasting, climate research, molecular modeling A supercomputer is a...
that was made by scientists, and hope it can work out a way to saving the world. By analyzing more and more data, it starts to "think" that killing humans is the only way to saving the earth.
Tanks
Mosquito : The first tank that the hunter finds.Buggy
Van : Can recover character's HP while move in the world.
LAV
Tiger
Abrams : A tank that is sold in the port of a slum.
Red Wolf : Character Red Wolf's tank.
White Muu