A 90s Style Adventure

The 1990s were a unique era in PC gaming, when franchises squeezed everything they could out of the hardware of the day to deliver standout experiences. It gave us Star Control II, Wing Commander, and System Shock. As technology advanced and titles like Half-Life redefined PC gaming, fans never forgot the style and aesthetics of that era. Max Savage chases that experience, and the chase is what makes it interesting.

Max Savage is an indie title from developer Tim Rachor that sets out to recreate the feel of a 90s PC space combat and science fiction adventure. Pitched as a mix of Wing Commander and The Legend of Zelda, the game fuses three distinct genres into one experience: space combat simulator, point-and-click adventure, and top-down action adventure. The result is a homage not just to 90s PC gaming, but to 90s gaming as a whole. Making it a must play for fans of the era and new gamers who are curious to explore 90s era PC gaming.

Gotta Start Somewhere

Players step into the role of Max Savage, a Federation pilot who refuses an order to execute a wounded pirate named Lara. Cast out and stranded in the Kir system, Max turns mercenary while trying to build a new life with Lara, now her partner. To escape their situation and return to Earth, Max takes on odd jobs to earn enough money. With every job, her reputation grows, drawing the attention of other organizations and crews looking to hire her.

The story is not special or groundbreaking, but it is exactly what you would expect from a game like this. That is not a critique, as a standard story is often all a game needs. Players need a motive for their actions, but it does not have to be deep, thought provking, or original. That said, you do care about Max and Lara, and you want to see them build the life they are chasing.

A New Life as a Mercenary

The gameplay is split into three elements: a point-and-click narrative experience, a space combat simulator, and a classic top-down action adventure.

The bulk of the experience focuses on space combat simulation. Players take control of their starfighter and traverse the galaxy, completing tasks based on the requirements of each job. These range from fighting off space pirates and locating and scanning cargo to recovering loot and defending other ships from enemy forces. With your growing reputation, you get hired for major jobs that include taking out a wanted space pirate and helping other factions. As the cash rolls in, you can upgrade your ship with new gear, weapons, and armor to improve your odds in deep space.

The point-and-click sections take place on Centaur Station, where you interact with Lara and the station’s other residents. This is where you go for information, gear, and upgrades, or simply to talk with the people who bring this world to life.

Finally, there are the top-down action-adventure sections, where Max touches down on a planet. Here, you roam the surface, battling alien creatures with a plasma sword as you work to complete your objective. Some missions bring you to these worlds, and each one has a charm of its own, teeming with hostile lifeforms and areas to explore.

The Power of Me

You cannot talk about Max Savage without talking about Tim Rachor, because his work tells you everything you need to know going in. He has worked in the games industry since 2002 and is an active solo developer with a long list of titles under his belt. Scroll through them and a clear theme emerges: retro inspired point-and-click adventures, simulators, and lore rich worlds. Rachor makes games for old-school fans while keeping the spirit of that era alive. That earns respect. Game development is not easy, but he does both well and keeps shipping games that retro fans can appreciate.

If you grew up playing games like Wing Commander on the PC, you will feel right at home. Max Savage carries all the hallmarks and aesthetics that defined that era. From its simulation-style flight combat to its visual design and world-building, it knows exactly how to capture that feeling. At the same time, it uses modern game development techniques to sharpen the overall player experience, from better level designs to controls that are more responsive.

If you did not grow up playing these games in the 90s but have been curious, Max Savage is a solid starting point. Its price tag and modern features lower the barrier to entry for new players. The first playthrough offers a satisfying amount of content, and the replay value keeps you coming back for more. Be it from exploring the planets or pushing yourself on a harder difficulty.

Back in MedBay

Max Savage is one of those retro-inspired games that captures the old-school feeling a little too well, and not always for the better. What do I mean? One of the biggest issues is the lack of guidance after the intro. It is easy to get lost when you return to the game, or to struggle with where to go next. That was common in the 90s, when you had to figure things out on your own, but there is a reason game development moved away from it. I do not need the game to hold my hand, but I also do not want to be tossed into the deep end. I want a balance between the two. Update 1.0.3 tries to ease some of this, but the added help mostly comes at the start of the game.

Then there are the side missions, which get repetitive fast. While the main story stays fresh and engaging, the side missions lose their appeal once you learn the formula. It boils down to recover X, defeat space pirates, or find 10 of stuff. This is not too egregious since the game is short, but once you notice the repetition, it is hard to ignore. The final issue is controller support. While many players will reach for a mouse and keyboard, the game also supports controllers, which is how I prefer to play. Unfortunately, the controls are not fully optimized for an XBOX One controller, and some functions still require the keyboard.

A Home Among the Stars

Max Savage is a love letter to 90s PC gaming that sets out to recreate that experience for old-school fans and a new generation alike. Tim Rachor has spent years crafting retro-style games for both modern players and those who grew up with the originals. This may very well be his masterpiece, and it is an ambitious work for a single developer. In the end, Max Savage delivers an unforgettable experience and a fitting callback to the classics of yesteryear.

Disclaimer: The publisher, through a PR representative, provided the game used for this review.

This review is the critique and thoughts of one writer. If you want to see how other critics felt, then check it out on OpenCritic.

8Bit/Digi is an independent news outlet that provides insightful reviews for Bay Area Gamers.

Max Savage (PC)

8

Excellent

8.0/10

Pros

• Perfectly captures the feeling of a 90s adventure and space combat simulator.
• Easy to follow story with great characters.
• Welcoming to new fans while also being rich in replay value.
• Tim Rachor really knows how to make a tribute to the classics.

Cons

• Issues treated like a feature like lack of guidance after the intro.
• Side missions get repetitive fast.
• Controller support is not fully optimized,