Max Parker Avatar Image

Max Parker

GameGuyPgh
Mr_Doubtfire
wmaxwellparker

Favorite Games:
  • Portal 2
  • Super Mario 64
  • Batman: Arkham Asylum

105 games reviewed
83.3 average score
85 median score
77.6% of games recommended

Max Parker's Reviews

Max Parker covers the world of video games for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pittsburgh's largest daily newspaper. He kicked off game coverage for the publication in 2009. He's put more time into the Smash Bros. series than any other video game.
Nov 5, 2013

"Lego Marvel Heroes" is the rare breed of game that is a delight for all ages, which is perfect due to its slant towards co-op play. At the below-average price of $50, it is well worth the money. It's one of the best family friendly games to come out this year, and will be a sure hit for fans of the Marvel series.

Read full review

5 / 10.0 - Knack
Nov 18, 2013

That's "Knack's" bottom line. It's a solid concept with horrible execution. I can't recommend paying $60 for this bare-boned experience, when it feels more like a $20 digital download title. If "Knack" does well enough to warrant a sequel, lets hope they rebuild him.

Read full review

Nov 19, 2013

I'll admit that my expectations were high going into this game. I wanted to relive that feeling of awe that washed over me when I witnessed "Galaxy" for the first time. I wanted this game to make me root for the Wii U. It still continues the trend of Nintendo's quality when it comes to first-party titles, and it's even better if you have friends to play with. It just doesn't take enough chances to achieve that rare level of greatness that Nintendo can sometimes reach.

Read full review

9 / 10.0 - Resogun
Nov 20, 2013

"Resogun" is the perfect first title to give away to PS Plus members on the PS4. It shows that a game doesn't need to be a triple-A release to shine on new hardware.

Read full review

8.8 / 10.0 - Killer Instinct
Dec 4, 2013

I hope to see "KI" on the main stage during next year's EVO Championship Series. As a pure fighter, this game is that good. It's missing a lot of what fight fans are used to as genre standards, but I'm hopeful that some of these will be added in the future. "KI's" gameplay makes it the best fighting game in years, and one of the brightest titles in the Xbox One's launch lineup.

Read full review

8.5 / 10.0 - Peggle 2
Dec 9, 2013

Is "Peggle 2" worth $12? It's still a new "Peggle," so I still recommend it. It doesn't quite match the amount of content as the original game, which leaves the door wide open for future DLC. If you're OK with that practice, you'll be satisfied with the existing package. Add some online friends to play with, and you'll be happy you made the purchase.

Read full review

Jan 10, 2014

"Don't Starve's" gameplay is unique, but it's very much a throwback to trial-and-error gaming. It's reminiscent of games that employed a baptism-by-fire approach. In turn, these aspects make the game a social experience despite being strictly single player. Half of its fun is talking to other people who have played the game to share ideas.

Read full review

Jan 25, 2014

"Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition" would be an absolute must-buy if it were priced between $40 or $50. Even an inclusion of some single player DLC would increase the value. Currently, a 360 version of "Tomb Raider" costs $23.99 on Amazon.com, and the PS3 version is less than a dollar more than that. You're essentially paying almost $40 for updated graphics, and maps for a multiplayer mode that I was never a fan of to begin with. "Tomb Raider's" single player holds up extremely well, and was arguably better the second time around. If you never played the original, I'd suggest picking up the "Definitive Edition," but it's a steep asking price if you're revisiting the game.

Read full review

"Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze" is a top-tier offering for the Wii U, but it doesn't break the mold the same way "Super Mario 3D World" did late last year. It's a Wii U exclusive, but it fails to take advantage of the GamePad. This is a good game that missed opportunities to be great.

Read full review

9.5 / 10.0 - Strider
Feb 21, 2014

This is a wonderful callback to the original games that adds new ideas.

Read full review

5 / 10.0 - Thief
Feb 24, 2014

"Thief" is an easy game to make excuses for all its shortcomings: "The combat is lacking, but it's OK because it's a stealth game. The world is dreary, but it's OK because that's the style. The A.I. is moronic, but it's OK because it would be too frustrating if they worked harder at tracking you down." None of this is "OK," and the summations of these sub-par gaming experiences make for a sub-par game. It excels at nothing. Not even blind nostalgia can save it. Don't let Garrett steal your time.

Read full review

Feb 28, 2014

Put all of this together and you have a game that is overflowing with grin-inducing charm. But once you peel back the bright and gaudy layers of decaying skin and leafy greens, it's a semi-stable shooter that has plenty of room to grow.

Read full review

2 / 10.0 - Basement Crawl
Mar 4, 2014

A basement is a room built well below the good stuff to hold a bunch of junk. The name "Basement Crawl" is appropriate.

Read full review

Mar 13, 2014

Genuine comedy in video games is a rare find in today's gaming landscape of hyper-realistic shooters and pretentious fantasy realms. It's refreshing to have a game that is consistently hilarious, but also has gameplay chops. I hope that Matt Stone and Trey Parker continue with the path of video game writing. They could offer a lot to this industry. But I can't blame them for going out at the top of their game.

Read full review

Mar 19, 2014

Demos are free to try. Even if you consider this a short prequel, DLC is usually between $10 and $15. I'm against the business practice that "Ground Zeroes" has introduced. Therefore, I can't recommend this game, demo, prequel, or whatever you want to call it. Wait for it drop significantly in price, or to become free on PlayStation +. I'm sure that will happen as we get closer to the real game, "The Phantom Pain." "Ground Zeroes" has the stench of a cash-grab, which is an unfortunate thing to happen to a series that is as artistic as "Metal Gear Solid."

Read full review

Mar 20, 2014

"Second Son" has all the appearances of a next-gen game, but its gameplay and stunted karma system appear dated. Delsin is a more sympathetic character than Cole, but the simple choices he's faced with fail to further develop his character. This game has a gorgeous exterior, but that shimmer fades when digging deeper.

Read full review

Mar 25, 2014

"TowerFall" ascension is a must-buy for PS4 owners, but there's a caveat. You have to have local friends who are ready and willing to play it, not to mention four $60 controllers. If you have all of that, prepare to have some of the most multiplayer fun available on a gaming console. But in today's online-heavy gaming landscape, that's not the easiest thing to find.

Read full review

8.5 / 10.0 - MLB 14: The Show
May 6, 2014

If you waited to buy a next-gen version of "The Show," you're in luck. The PS4 version isn't worse than the PS3/Vita version, but it isn't any better either. All of its visual sheen brings new problems, but it's still a big league sports sim.

Read full review

7.8 / 10.0 - Mario Kart 8
May 15, 2014

Therein lies "Mario Kart 8's" dilemma. The Wii U has the tools to make this a standout game in the series, but instead it's just a pretty look at more of the same. It's still all about racing friends in a chaotic battle for first place. That old form of fun is present, but this latest edition fails to drive the series forward with meaningful change.

Read full review

May 20, 2014

Aside from the poor sound editing and occasional lull in the action, this game is a surprising success. When a game is strictly single-player, the story needs to deliver. This story does, plus brings polished gameplay as an FPS. "Wolfenstein: The New Order" is a sleeper hit of 2014.

Read full review