Makis Adventure is a retro-inspired pixel art title from publisher EastAsiaSoft and developer Zoroarts. It was originally released on Steam in 2023, but is out now on PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, priced at $9.99. We have been putting this classic-styled action Metroidvania through its paces on Switch to see how Makis Adventure holds up with its exciting porting to modern consoles.
The game stars Makis, a little half monster, half shark character who can jump, attack, and roll as well as transform into his shark form when entering water. The transformation happens automatically, and it’s fun to explore as Makis has different moves depending on his current state. As with many other Metroidvania games, Makis learns new skills as he progresses through the game. The main objective is to work with Makis’ brother, Temu, to uncover an evil lord and defeat him.
From the start of Makis Adventure, players can choose between three difficulty levels, each with varying degrees of options. Most will opt for the normal mode that has balanced settings for the enemies as well as health. Those who just want to enjoy the adventure can choose the easy mode that poses little challenge. Players who want the full experience will want to give the hard mode a try. The lack of lives and health, mixed with the extra speed of enemies, makes it a classic challenge we’d expect from back in the day.
The game world in Makis Adventure is broken into small sections, each joined by a 3D overworld where Makis swims about in his shark form. This overworld also has some hidden challenges to complete, and it breaks up the gameplay, travelling between the levels. All the individual levels have a different theme, from castle dungeon to jungle, to seaside town, among others. During each level, different tasks need to be completed, such as fetch quests or simple mini games that also add to the variety in the gameplay.
There are also bosses and minibosses spread throughout each level. These all have different attack patterns, and many are quite tough to beat. As well as the boss battles to contend with, each level has distinct enemies that slowly become more aggressive as the game progresses and Makis learns new skills. To complement the battle mechanics, there are small platforming sections that contain deadly traps such as spikes and pits. Other elements that break up the gameplay are Donkey Kong Country-style cart sections and puzzles that require some experimentation and exploration.
Controlling Makis is a breeze, and the different moves work well for each situation. The variety of attacks and options means that different styles of play can be used when playing Maxis Adventure. The overall gameplay has been well-thought-out by the developer, and nothing feels repetitive when exploring or completing puzzles, quests, or challenges. There are a few of the mini games that feel a bit rough, such as the pool game, but not enough that it spoils the overall feel or flow of proceedings.
One of the standout aspects of Makis Adventure is the quality of the overall presentation. It’s very high throughout, especially for a game at this price point. Makis Adventure feels like it could’ve cost twice the price and still feel like a good value title. The bold and colorful pixel art, alongside the fluid animation, gives this one a nice sheen that will please retro gamers. There is also a vibrant soundtrack that bops along and fits brilliantly with the vibe of the game.
Overall, Maxis Adventure is a fun, well-designed game that goes beyond its budget price tag. It may not be quite as long as a full-priced Metroidvania title, but there is a lot to do here, especially if you include winning all the mini games and finding all the secrets. There is also longevity in the different difficulty levels and a few extra modes that mix up the gameplay. The boss rush mode is especially fun, and speed runners will be happy with the extra HUB elements that can be implemented.
For retro fans who enjoy pixel art and a game that requires exploration, this is a great buy. Retro adventurers may also be interested in our review of Ruffy and the Riverside.
