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.
Reviews
- The game provides a heartfelt and relatable portrayal of life with autism, making it educational and emotionally captivating.
- The combat mechanics and mini-games are enjoyable, allowing players to experience challenges in a fun way.
- The developer's care and effort in creating a game that raises awareness about autism is evident, making it a unique and meaningful experience.
- The gameplay can become repetitive, and some mechanics, like the breathing exercise, are not well explained, leading to confusion.
- The RPG Maker engine limits the game's graphics and overall polish, which may deter players who prefer more modern game design.
- Some players found the boss battles to be frustratingly difficult and lacking clear logic, which could be discouraging for younger audiences.
- story15 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The story is a heartfelt and educational exploration of a father-son relationship navigating the challenges of autism, presented through a unique RPG lens that transforms daily obstacles into imaginative quests. While some reviewers found the narrative overly preachy and the gameplay mechanics convoluted, many appreciated the charm and depth of the story, highlighting its ability to convey important information about autism in an engaging manner. Overall, the game is praised for its rich storytelling and emotional resonance, despite some criticisms regarding its execution.
“Finally, the art, the music, the story, and everything are fantastic.”
“I have to admit I found myself rather charmed as the game went on - through the plot, Max has his ups, his downs, and his moments where he's the same as any child his age.”
“Awesome story and very important information that is being brought across in a nice way.”
“Instead, we have a preachy 'educational' autobiographical story about a parent with a child suffering from autism, with a few mediocre minigames punctuating the mediocrity.”
“Second disappointment came at the intro to the story when the parents were reacting to the diagnosis like it was cancer. 'What are we going to do?' How about support your child like you would anyway? There's nothing wrong with being autistic.”
“The story is simple... just take the scrambled mind of Max with autism and present it without depth or nuance.”
- gameplay13 mentions
- 62 % positive mentions
- 15 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally described as fun and engaging, featuring a variety of easy mini-games, though some players found the combat repetitive and lacking complexity. While the mechanics are not groundbreaking, the game effectively intertwines educational elements about autism, providing a unique perspective on the experiences of a child with ASD. Overall, the gameplay serves as a vehicle for a deeper understanding of the character's inner world rather than as a primary focus.
“The gameplay is pretty fun with a variety of easy mini-games to go through.”
“The game is recommended not just for the educational aspect, but for the fun gameplay that goes along with it.”
“This game is meant to understand individuals who have autism while enjoying the gameplay along the way.”
“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.”
“Like most RPG Maker shovelware and asset flips, the game features extremely low-quality, copy-pasted 2D retro pixel art, looks awful, and has even worse gameplay.”
- music6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received high praise for its quality, with standout boss tracks that enhance the experience and evoke strong emotions. While some users noted that certain tunes feel reminiscent or derivative, the overall soundtrack is considered beautiful and well-integrated, contributing significantly to the game's atmosphere and storytelling.
“Boss music is amazing.”
“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 with some remixes.”
- graphics5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed feedback; while some users appreciate the visuals and find them appealing, others criticize the limitations of the RPG Maker engine, noting poor fullscreen display and lack of HD support. Overall, the graphics are considered decent for an indie title, but not groundbreaking.
“The visuals are great.”
“Nice graphics, easy to learn controls, and my daughter who is on the spectrum enjoys playing it.”
“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.”
- emotional4 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. Its rich storytelling and educational elements contribute to a captivating emotional experience that resonates with players.
“This game is probably one of the most emotionally captivating games I've played, and I mean it unironically.”
“The game was genuinely touching.”
“The amount of love you put into creating a game about this autistic child and how he sees the world is really heartwarming.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game is criticized for intrusive advertisements, particularly related to football, which detracts from the overall experience. Players express frustration over the timing and frequency of these ads.
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Users report that the game experiences occasional bugs, impacting its overall stability.
“The game is buggy from time to time.”
“There are frequent stability issues that disrupt gameplay.”
“I often encounter crashes that make it hard to enjoy the game.”
