Maize | Xbox One | Review

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You only need to read the premise of Finish Line Games’ first-person adventure game, Maize, to be compelled to discover more. It’s a story about a misinterpreted memo leading to the creation of sentient corn, also carrying the promise that things only get more ridiculous from there. That isn’t inaccurate.

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by Sam Sant

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@SlamShotSam

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Developer: Finish Line
Games
Publisher: Finish Line
Games
Platforms: Xbox
One, PlayStation 4, PC
Players: 1 

Waking in a cornfield with little in the way of context at the beginning of the game, you’ll immediately notice the technical issues that somewhat hold Maize back. Distracting head-bob that can’t be disabled, less-than-smooth turning, frame drops and texture pop-in make for quite an unpleasant first impression - especially considering this is a port of a 2016 PC release with noticeable visual downgrades. Power on however, and they fade into the background.

That’s partly because you’ll grow accustomed to the foibles in time, but mostly because the quizzical music and dilapidated environment infuse the game with a horror-tinged air of mystery more intriguing than the technical shortcomings are annoying.

After scouring the maize maze for a number of items used to gain access to a sprawling facility that lurks below, the walking corn that’s thus far ominously stalked you (there’s a pun in there) gets a proper introduction. They’re a harmless bunch in actuality, if overly chatty and not very bright. From here on in the game ditches any spooky precedence and goes full comic relief, which might have been a jarring change if it wasn’t executed so well.

Maize is intelligently written and has a charming, endearing, memorable cast with delivery to meet the script’s standard. While Vladdy, an insult-slinging Russian teddy bear, serves as your sidekick in tackling pantomime villain The Cornacabra, you never actually meet our favourite characters. Bob and Ted are the site’s co-lead scientists, and to say they don’t get along would be an understatement. Passive aggressive sticky notes can be found absolutely everywhere, the pair constantly leaving each other humorous memos and replies to avoid coming into direct contact.

Bob and Ted’s ingenious implementation makes the game’s environments sing, elevating the setting to a leading role of its own. Spotting a small detail is enough to raise a smile in anticipation of the furiously-scrawled note you’re sure to find shortly thereafter, which often prompts a chuckle as your assumed response is reflected near verbatim.

Maize is intelligently written and has a charming, endearing, memorable cast with delivery to meet the script’s standard.

We thoroughly explored areas to best absorb their infantile squabbles, but, if you’re not that way inclined, it’s possible to see the game through with a more relaxed approach, thanks to Maize’s gated progression and highlighting of key items. Classic adventure game fans might find the simplistic approach disappointing, but in a time where Telltale Games dominate the genre it’s a natural evolution.

Puzzles involve, in typical fashion, combining and using the random collection of gathered items from your inventory in their relevant places. Reading an item’s description offers an optional (and pretty obvious) hint as to its use, which pretty much rules out getting stuck and the associated frustration.

It took a little over four hours for us to reach Maize’s amazingly dumb (in a good way) ending, which left us grinning throughout the brilliant credits sequence. That parting smile is the same one we’ll look back on the game with, in spite of its unwelcome technical issues.

Pros

• Intelligent and amusing writing
• Well-voiced & endearing cast of characters
• Bob & Ted are better developed through a series of sticky notes than some gaming protagonists
• Detailed environments with their own stories to tell
• Optional hints help players avoid frustration

Cons

• Poor technical performance
• Perhaps too simplistic for adventure game veterans

8/10