Metal Max 3 (メタルマックス3, Metaru Makkusu Surī) is the seventh entry in the Metal Max series. It is a vehicle combat RPG produced by Cattle Call and co-published by Kadokawa Games, Enterbrain, and Crea-Tech for the Nintendo DS exclusively in Japan in 2010.[1]
| Metal Max 3 | |
|---|---|
 Cover art | |
| Developer(s) | Cattle Call |
| Publisher(s) | Kadokawa Games Enterbrain Crea-Tech |
| Director(s) | Tomoki Tauchi |
| Producer(s) | Yoshihiro Yamamoto |
| Designer(s) | Hiroshi Miyaoka |
| Programmer(s) | Kazuki Takei |
| Artist(s) | Masaki Hirooka Atsuji Yamamoto Shun Kise |
| Composer(s) | Satoshi Kadokura |
| Series | Metal Max |
| Platform(s) | Nintendo DS |
| Release |
|
| Genre(s) | Role-playing |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
In 1993, Metal Max 2 was published by Data East, who retained the trademark rights to the series until its closure in 2003 and the liquidation of its intellectual properties in the following year. In April 2009, Enterbrain (Kadokawa's subsidiary) obtained the rights[2] and published Metal Max 3 the next year. It is the first numbered entry in the series in 17 years.[3] A remade version of Metal Max 2 for the Nintendo DS was published in 2011, and utilizes Metal Max 3's engine.[4]
Similarly to its predecessors, the game is open-ended and non-linear.
Gameplay
editMuch of the gameplay is similar to its predecessors, Metal Max and Metal Max 2. The game is open-ended and non-linear, with the player given the freedom to decide where to go and what missions to do in whichever order. The player can choose the character classes and subclasses, besides a mechanic, soldier, artist or other, for the player characters.[5] The battles are turn-based, with the characters able to fight either on foot or using tanks. The tanks can be created and customized by the player, who can modify and enhance each part of a vehicle, though there is a weight limit to each tank which mostly depends on an engine. In certain areas where tanks cannot pass, the characters must engage the enemies on foot. The game also features gambling machines where minigames can be played, including third-person shooter and racing games.
Synopsis
editThe protagonist was picked up and revived by mad scientist Dr. Minch, but he suffered from severe memory loss and cannot remember anything about himself. Therefore, the protagonist decided to travel around the world as a bounty hunter, in order to retrieve his memories and find out his true identity.
Development
editSince Metal Max 2 was released in 1993, original publisher Data East planned to release a new entry which underwent a troubled development cycle.[6] During this time, a Dreamcast game named Metal Max: Wild Eyes was planned, and was set to be published by ASCII Entertainment, but the game was later cancelled, due to the publisher quitting video game business.[7] There were also other companies interested in developing a sequel for the Game Boy, but they given up later on.[6] In 2003, Data East went into bankruptcy, and the trademark for the game was acquired by other companies. The series was then published by Success under the name Metal Saga. In 2008, Enterbrain invited the producer of Metal Max 2 to make a new game in the series, and obtained the original trademark in 2009.[2][6] The game was published in July 2010 by Enterbrain's subsidiary Kadokawa Games.
Translation
editIn June 2020, an unofficial English fan translation was released by a translation group known as Metal Dreamers.[8]
Reception
editWhile RPGamer scored Metal Max 3 4.5/5,[9] Japanese gaming magazine Famitsu awarded the game 33/40.[10] The game was praised for its vast degrees of freedom and its tank system, but reviews criticized high encounter rates and slow-paced gameplay.[11][12]
References
edit- ^ タルマックス3- 【製品情報】 (in Japanese). Enterbrain / Crea-Tech. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
- ^ a b 正当なる「メタルマックス２改」「メタルマックスＲ改」（第４５発案） (in Japanese). Tanomi.com. Archived from the original on 1 July 2011. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
- ^ "First Look: Metal Max 3". IGN. March 8, 2010. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
- ^ Spencer (July 7, 2011). "Ride A Buggy Or Leopard Tank In Metal Max 2 Reloaded". siliconera.com. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
- ^ Nobu (April 19, 2010). "NDS「メタルマックス3」では三つの新職業が登場。シリーズ初のパーティーメンバーを入れ替えての冒険が可能に" (in Japanese). 4Gamer.net. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
- ^ a b c 『メタルマックス3』の開発者、宮岡寛氏と田内智樹氏のインタビュー完全版を公開！ (in Japanese). Famitsu. 2010-09-02. Retrieved 2012-06-03.
- ^ "MetalMax概要４" (in Japanese). Crea-Tech. Archived from the original on 2013-06-23. Retrieved 2012-02-17.
- ^ "Release: Metal Max 3". GitHub. 23 June 2020.
- ^ Michael Baker. "Metal Max 3 - Staff Review". PRGamer. Retrieved 14 August 2012.
- ^ "The Magic Box: International Videogame News". the-magicbox.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 14 August 2012.
- ^ A.I. (2010-11-16). "17年ぶりのシリーズ最新作「メタルマックス3」と，「ストーカー ～コール オブ プリピャチ～」を取り上げる今週の「読者レビューPickUp！！」" (in Japanese). 4gamer.net. Retrieved 2012-06-04.
- ^ 山村智美 (August 24, 2010). 伝説の"竜退治はもう飽きた！"が復活！ 荒廃した世界を戦車で駆ける17年ぶりのシリーズ最新作 「メタルマックス3」 (in Japanese). Retrieved 14 August 2012.
External links
edit- Official website (in Japanese)