Max, an Autistic Journey
- August 18, 2016
- Professional Imagination
- 30h median play time
Get on Steam"Max, an Autistic Journey" is a turn-based RPG that follows the story of Max, a 10-year-old boy with autism. The game aims to provide players with an insight into the everyday challenges faced by those with ASD, using a variety of mini-games and fantastical monsters to represent Max's emotions and frustrations. Through its unique gaming experience, players can learn about autism and gain a better understanding of the condition.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game offers a unique and heartfelt perspective on the challenges faced by an autistic child, providing educational insights into autism.
- Players appreciate the emotional depth and sincerity of the story, which is based on real-life experiences of the developer and his son.
- The gameplay, while simple, includes a variety of mini-games and creative elements that keep players engaged and entertained.
- The combat mechanics can become repetitive and frustrating, particularly during boss fights that may feel unbalanced or overly challenging.
- Technical issues such as bugs and crashes detract from the overall experience, making it difficult for some players to enjoy the game fully.
- Some players feel that the game oversimplifies or misrepresents autism, leading to discomfort or disappointment with its portrayal.
- story30 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The game's story centers on Max, an autistic child, and his experiences, drawing from real-life events between him and his father, which adds a heartfelt and educational layer to the narrative. While some players appreciate the unique perspective and emotional depth, others criticize the execution as overly preachy or simplistic, with mixed feelings about the gameplay mechanics that accompany the story. Overall, the narrative is seen as both charming and significant, though opinions vary on its effectiveness and engagement.
“Max's father had a story to tell, and he figured out how to do it the only way he knew how, even if that meant using RPG Maker to do some wild things.”
“It is clear that many aspects of this game's story are either heavily researched or drawn from experience, as this game is somewhat based on a true story.”
“This simple yet unique RPG lets you see the world through Max's eyes: daily obstacles are monster bosses, little challenges are dangerous quests, and small fears become scary nightmarish monsters.”
“Instead, we have a preachy 'educational' autobiographical story about a parent with a child suffering from autism, with a few mediocre minigames punctuating the experience.”
“The second disappointment came at the intro to the story when the parents reacted to the diagnosis like it was cancer. How about supporting your child like you would anyway? There's nothing wrong with being autistic.”
“Rather than go on some ill-advised and inappropriately thought-out quest with unbalanced monsters and spells, this game attempts to guide you through a few days in the life of Max, an autistic child.”
- gameplay21 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized as a standard top-down RPG experience with simple mechanics, featuring repetitive combat and retro pixel art. While it may not be groundbreaking or mechanically complex, it effectively integrates educational elements about autism, providing a unique perspective through the protagonist's experiences. Players appreciate the variety of mini-games and the overall fun, despite some criticisms regarding the quality of the gameplay itself.
“It's your typical top-down game mechanics but implemented well with a unique story revolving around Max. You can just sense the input and stories that were in making this game with his dad, and I love that.”
“The gameplay is pretty fun with a variety of easy mini-games to go through.”
“Overall, while the game isn't going to stand out for its gameplay (which is above average), it provides a good mix of gameplay and education.”
“The combat got a bit repetitive, but I think they used the mechanics well; just a couple more fights than I was expecting throughout the game.”
“I completed the game without ever figuring out how the breathing mechanic worked.”
“Gameplay itself is pretty garbo, and the information provided is the sort of thing you see in parenting forums.”
- music8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised, with standout boss tracks that enhance the experience and provide moments of relaxation. While some battles may feel clunky, the incorporation of musical elements and mini-games adds a unique touch. Overall, the soundtrack is described as beautiful, fitting, and filled with clever remixes and easter eggs that contribute to the game's charm.
“The battles are kind of hamfisted and feel janky, but there are instances where you can play a musical instrument, a timed minigame where you attempt to calm down, and a couple of other oddities that make you wonder how the developer figured this out using RPG Maker.”
“Finally, the art, the music, the story, and everything are fantastic.”
“Beautiful soundtrack and such an informative little gem!”
“The music is like an off-beat chart of copied tunes but some remixes.”
“The battles are kind of hamfisted and feel janky, but there are instances where you can play a musical instrument, a timed minigame where you attempt to calm down, and a couple of other oddities that make you wonder how in the world the developer figured this out using, again, RPG Maker.”
“I relaxed for 5 minutes listening to this music, long enough to realize that I would be okay.”
- emotional6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its emotional depth, with players finding it genuinely touching and heartwarming, particularly in its portrayal of an autistic child's perspective. The narrative is described as story-rich and educational, evoking strong feelings, especially during pivotal moments like the child's diagnosis and his parents' promises for his future.
“This game is probably one of the most emotionally captivating games I've played, and I mean it unironically.”
“The amount of love you put into creating a game about this autistic child and how he sees the world is really heartwarming.”
“It even gets deeply emotional, like when he's first diagnosed and his parents promise to give him the best life they can.”
- graphics6 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed feedback; while some users appreciate the artwork and find the visuals appealing, others criticize the limitations of the RPG Maker engine, noting poor fullscreen support and a lack of HD options. Overall, the visuals are considered decent for an indie game, but not groundbreaking.
“The visuals are great.”
“Nice graphics, easy to learn controls, and my daughter who is on the spectrum enjoys playing it.”
“I loved the artwork and the variety of mini games that break up the main gameplay.”
“As with all RPG Maker games, the poor quality engine displays badly in fullscreen and doesn't have full HD support or any graphics tweaking options, making this unacceptable for any dedicated modern PC gamer.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has been criticized for intrusive advertisements, particularly related to football, which can disrupt the gameplay experience.
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the game to be genuinely humorous, highlighting its comedic elements as a standout feature.
“The game itself is really funny.”
“The humor in this game is top-notch and keeps me laughing throughout.”
“I love how the witty dialogue and hilarious situations make every playthrough enjoyable.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game experiences occasional bugs that can affect stability, leading to a less consistent gameplay experience.
“The game is buggy from time to time.”
“There are frequent stability issues that disrupt gameplay.”
“I often experience crashes and glitches that make the game unplayable.”
