Dreamcast Underrated Gem: Maken X

This is a series of gameplay vids I'm doing highlighting overlooked games for the various consoles I own.

Since it's the Dreamcast's tenth birthday in North America (09-09-09), I thought it'd be appropriate to upload an underrated DC game. Someone once told me that the DC itself is an underrated gem, and that's true, but even then, there are still many popular DC games that have gotten mainstream recognition, and then there are ones like Maken X that most gamers probably haven't heard about.

Maken X is hard to describe as a game. Some people have dubbed it a First Person Slasher. In the reviews of the game they compared it to first person shooters, and really it's that comparable to games like Quake. Actually, the control scheme reminds me a lot of the later released Metroid Prime on the Gamecube. I guess it should be classified as more of a First Person Adventure.

It's kinda Kings Field meets Metroid Prime except it's level based whereas those two are exploration based.

Throughout the game you play as Maken X a sword that has the power to brain-jack various characters. Each character you control has their own unique abilities and attributes, and depending on what choices you make throughout the game, depends on which characters you'll be able to control. Some characters require you to be a higher brain-jacking level than others in order to take control of them. You gain levels throughout the game by either defeating enemies, or finding the yin-yang symbol powerups in each level.

The game has seven different endings, so it also has some replay value.

Graphically, the game does have some slowdown at times (usually when there's flames being shot at you), but it's only on occasion. The rest of the time the game runs at a smooth 60fps, and looks pretty good for for a DC game. I wouldn't put it on Quake III, or Unreal Tournament's level of detail, but it's still a slick looking DC game.

The character designs are also quite slick looking, and since it is Atlus who made the game, are reminiscent of the Shin Megami Tensei (Persona) series.

The game does have some flaws. The most notable flaw is the quite terrible voice acting. The story is also kinda meh. It apparently lost a few things in the translation from english.

The control system may also bug people. Like I said, it is very reminiscent of Metroid Prime's control scheme, lock-on system and all. That brings me to anther small gripe, the lock-on system at times feels inaccurate, and will disengage for no apparent reason from time to time. Not a huge complaint, but it still happens.

The difficulty may also be a turn off to some gamers. The controls are hard to get the hang of, and the can translate into getting hit a lot, and if you don't have the right character brain jacked with powerful enough stats to complete the level, you're in for a long day. The boss fights can also be extremely cheap. Jumping can also be hard to land at first, but if you've ever played Metroid Prime, then the jumping shouldn't take you that long to get the hang of.


Overall the game's positives outweigh it's negatives. It's just one of those truly unique game experiences that you don't see much of anymore. I truly urge any people who still own their DCs to check this game out. It may not be for everyone though, but for some gamers out there, you'll really enjoy this game.

Maken X is also available on the Japanese and European PS2 as Maken Shao and has an added third person mode (which really isn't needed if you've ever played Metroid Prime) .

Note: The full Title of the game on the title screen is Maken X Deus Ex Machina. That doesn't mean it has anything to do with Ion Storm's Deus Ex. Deus Ex Machina, as many of you may know, is Latin for God From a Machine. Just a little bit of trivia for you.

Category:

Gaming

Tags:

• Dreamcast
• Underrated
• Gem
• Maken
• Deus
• Ex
• Machina
• Sega
• Video
• Game
• Atlus
• Shao

[LewisLongshanks]

Have you played Maken Shao Demon Sword on PS2?

[teh2Dgamer]

@LewisLongshanks Nope.

[SwankeyMonkey]

Great Dreamcast coverage. Thank you and I subbed ya.

I loves me my Dreamcast...

[teh2Dgamer]

@SwankeyMonkey I haven't focused on the DC as much as I should, but I get around to covering it on occasion. It mostly depends on what I'm playing, and right now my game room is in disarray, and I don;t have as many systems hooked up as I usually do.

[bub777]

I just got this game via eBay, and it's even more amazing in person! It feels very fast (when they said 60FPS on the back of the game case, they weren't kiddin'!), as well as detailed for its time.

ATLUS did a nice job with everything, and I'm anxious to experience all 7 possible endings. This marks the first Dreamcast "underrated" gem I own, with thanks to teh2Dgamer for this video.

[Quadraxis14]

My girlfriend decided to be awesome this Christmas and not only got me a Dreamcast, but also Blue Stinger and this game. Thus far, I prefer this game by far, and as you said, the game really brings a fresh look at the first person genre with its unique sword fighting system. King's Field always looked really sluggish to me, but combined with that Metroid Primey sort of combat system, I think the sword fighting works pretty well, despite the game being tough to get used to at first. Good stuff!

[bacardipr05]

@XshurikenXboy Yea i know i was trying to make a point..lol...I never played this game actually i ordered a copy of it online. I know you can download these games but this one never seems to come out right. It got decent reviews back in the day except for the control. From what i understand the story was poor in the Japanese one, and on top of that it was poorly translated. Some people say the game gets boring after a while. Guess ill see was only $8 bucks with shipping..

[XshurikenXboy]

@bacardipr05 Pretty big assumption to make based on the fact all i said was i didnt like this game. I do play Call of Duty every so often but the storyline isnt really required for a mass multiplayer shooter is it?

[bacardipr05]

@XshurikenXboy But i bet you play garbage Modern Warfare with no storyline...lol

[AeCiTiUm]

@LewisLongshanks I have!!! it was fantastic!!!

[johanneszero1990]

the headbob'ing is INSANE :O

[Goukeban]

Well, compare a game with the FUCKING AWESOME Metroid Prime is saying a lot!

This alone is reason enough for me to want to play this game. Good video, as well as the others Underrated Gems you've made.

[longballplease]

Is this hard to play with the dreamcast pad? I'm still getting it.

[GenoClown]

Love this. My favorites were Jet Grind Radio(I'm from the U.S.), Spawn: In The Demon's Hand, Maken X, and Ecco The Dolphin. <3