Difficulty:

Just Right

Time Spent:

10 Hours or Less

The Bottom Line:

"Highly addictive"

Ever wanted to play Mario where you can draw your own things? Well you've come to the right place. Max and the Magic Marker is a highly addicting game with cute graphics and intriguing puzzles. The controls are a little tricky at first, however. You use the arrow keys to control little max, but use the mouse to draw. And for all of you whom have ever drawn with a mouse, it is quite difficult. Besides, having to switch your hand back and forth between controls can get a little tiring. Yet, the game has a pause option so that you can draw without wasting time. One of the most helpful items to have for this game is a Pen Tablet, it helps a lot.

Anyway, when beginning the game it all feels a little weird. Max tends to lag a little bit and jumping with accuracy is a little tricky at first. Also, discovering the tricks to make certain items (bridges, stairs ect.) is difficult to do at first when it falls because of gravity. The little "tutorial blobs" that help you don't really help much. This is not a fault, however, because it adds to the puzzle aspect of the game.

The puzzle aspect of the game is really fun. The laws of gravity are set in place fairly well so there will be no floating sticks that you draw to jump on! Around every corner, you find a new puzzle to confront yourself with and as you progress through the game, the puzzles begin getting harder and harder. At first, it simple. Bridges, stairs, maybe a swing or two, but as you progress through the worlds, the game will draw your attention to one thing while you're meant to focus on something else and swings are used often.

Another great aspect to this game is it's length. It challenges you with a moderate amount of levels on each world and each level is fairly lengthy. Although the enemies are few and far between, the puzzles will keep you so occupied you'll hardly notice!

This game is a game for the casual gamer, but it's also a game for hard core RPG or strategy gamers who are in need of a little load off from playing 10 hours of Dragon Age or Civilization. While it challenges your brain, it doesn't do it in a head-ache-causing way. Really a fun game for everyone at (almost) every age. This game is highly, highly recommended.