Max: The Curse Of Brotherhood: Game Preview

Dec 20, 2013

Microsoft announced Max: The Curse Of Brotherhood -- which is due out for Xbox One and Xbox 360 -- during E3 2013 and caught the attention of fans of puzzle and/or platforming games, ala Limbo or Super Mario Bros. It's a sequel to the hit game Max And The Magic Marker which was released on Xbox Live Arcade in 2010.

Watch out for huge monsters!Courtesy of Microsoft Studios

The story of Max: The Curse Of Brotherhood is a simple one. Max, who accidentally banishes his younger brother to some odd "otherworld" after a little squabble, sets off in search of him. Max needs to find and save his younger brother and return to their world before it's too late.

Swing like Tarzan high in the trees.Courtesy of Microsoft Studios

The main gameplay hook to this interesting puzzle-platformer is the magic marker which Max carries with him. With it, Max is able to draw new platforms to jump on, or raise the dirt around him to create new paths. Over the course of the journey, Max's abilities with the magic marker increase and you'll go from simple platform drawing to intricate rock, dirt and vine creations in order to hop or swing to unseen areas.

Using the magic marker is simple. You hold down the right trigger to summon your magic marker then use the left analog stick to draw your new platform, hitting X finalizes the command and with that button strike you'll see your new platforms created in front of your eyes.

Use your magic marker to draw new platforms!Courtesy of Microsoft Studios

Max: Curse Of The Brotherhood also features crisp, colorful worlds to conquer with an art style that tickles the Pixar Animation fan in me. Check out the latest trailer below.

Max: The Curse Of Brotherhood Trailer

Microsoft surprised us all and just announced that Max: The Curse Of Brotherhood ($14.99) is available right now, as of Dec. 20th, to download for Xbox One! The Xbox 360 version is coming quickly in the new year.