About Maximum Force
Maximum Force is a light gun shooting game where players battle through a series of fast-paced missions, facing off against terrorists, criminals, and other enemies. Players must use quick reflexes and accurate shooting to clear each stage and save the day in this thrilling arcade experience.
Developer & Publisher:
Maximum Force was developed and published by Midway Games, a company renowned for creating fast-paced, adrenaline-pumping arcade titles like Mortal Kombat, NBA Jam, and Cruis'n USA. Midway's signature style of immersive action and accessible gameplay is evident in Maximum Force, a fast-paced shooter with straightforward mechanics but challenging gameplay.
Levels:
Maximum Force is a light-gun shooter, where players use a light gun to shoot enemies and avoid hazards as they progress through the game. The game is set in a variety of locations, with the player assuming the role of a special forces agent trying to defeat criminal organizations and terrorist groups. The game’s levels feature different environments and increasingly difficult enemies, and the player’s objective is to shoot down enemies while avoiding civilian casualties and other obstacles. Key features of the levels include: City Streets: The player starts in a city, battling enemies who are hiding behind obstacles like cars, buildings, and barricades. The stage is filled with enemies trying to ambush the player from behind cover. Jungle Encampment: This level takes the action to the jungle, where the player must fight off armed militants. The level introduces more complex environments, with more varied enemy types. High-tech Base: The player infiltrates an enemy facility, facing off against high-tech weaponry and more advanced enemy soldiers in an enclosed, fortified area. Terrorist Hideout: A final stage, where the player faces the main antagonist and their heavily armed forces in a high-stakes confrontation. The game’s structure involves progressing through these stages while avoiding hazards and saving hostages. Players use quick reflexes and precision shooting to navigate through the increasingly dangerous areas.
High Scores:
In Maximum Force, the high score is determined by the player’s accuracy and the number of enemies defeated during each level. Points are awarded for successfully shooting enemies, rescuing hostages, and completing levels within a set time limit. Players also lose points for shooting civilians, adding an extra layer of strategy to the gameplay. The game keeps track of the player’s progress and awards bonus points for flawless performance (such as not losing any health and avoiding shooting innocents). Since Maximum Force is a fast-paced light-gun shooter, players who manage to keep their accuracy high and their reaction time sharp are the ones most likely to achieve high scores.
Legacy:
Maximum Force became one of the popular light-gun shooters of the early 90s, alongside games like Time Crisis and House of the Dead. Its intense, action-packed gameplay, combined with its use of the light-gun controller, made it a fun and immersive experience for arcade-goers. The game’s simple mechanics, fast action, and straightforward design made it highly accessible, which helped it become a staple in arcades during its heyday. Although Maximum Force didn’t generate as many sequels as some of Midway's other franchises, it has remained a cult classic in the light-gun genre. Its inclusion in various Midway collections and arcade retrospectives has kept it alive among retro gaming enthusiasts. The game is also remembered for its over-the-top action, explosive set pieces, and its ability to deliver fast-paced thrills in a simple yet effective format. Maximum Force helped solidify Midway's place as one of the premier developers of arcade shooters during the 1990s, contributing to the enduring popularity of light-gun shooters in arcades.