Max Axe Review

Max is a barbarian. Max has an axe — several in fact — and he can throw it like nobody's business. All while rocking an unbelievably strong ginger beard.

To help Max on his way through the mystical forest, players must take out oncoming monsters by swiping over them - drawing a path for Max to launch his axe along. Axes can be thrown any which way, but the most effective and rewarding is the curved shot. Taking out a group of uglies in one go with a perfect shot is pretty darn satisfying.

Although axes can be dispensed one after the other, the speed at which they travel is initially dire, meaning that players wont be able to stave off their globular foes for long. Fortunately, the upgrade system means that it won't be long before they're throwing those axes like pros. Yet what's a true barbarian without some form of battle helmet? From a rusty bucket, to a horned headpiece, to a bejewelled kingly crown, they all serve to keep Max's dome safe from harm. These unlockables, as well as the plethora of missions available, will keep players busy for a good while; at least until the Wooly Mammoth update comes out anyway. It's certainly playable, just a bit unspectacular.

This is a game for all ages thanks to the chunky, cartoony graphics, the novelty sound effects, and the upbeat retro melodies. It is, however, lacking in variety on the whole. A few more enemies, power-ups, and perhaps a new location would improve the whole experience tenfold, so hopefully that update isn't too far away. Still, Max Axe is a solid endless runner with a cool aiming system, and for the most part its a fun ride.