Magic Maze Maximum Security
$23.95
Maximum Security at a Glance
| Game Type Expansion for (Magic Maze) Fantasy Maze Cooperative Real Time Play | Play Time 1 - 30 mins | Skill/Complexity (2 - 5) Light - Medium...ish |
| Age 8+ | Publisher(s) Sit Down! | Published 2018 |
| Categories Family / Teens / 8+ Year Olds | Players 3 - 8 | Rules Manual Official Rules PDF |
| Our Rating 9.4/10 | Cost Approx $23.95 |
About – Description
The base game of Magic Maze was published in 2017 and then the Maximum Security expansion followed soon after during the same year.
The two main intentions of the expansion is to increase and decrease the difficulty level. This we thought was smart as many games may just increase the difficulty level.
Of course, you get some new components which includes:
- 4 Guard pawns
- 13 Mall tiles
- 1 Beholder on a plastic stand
- Various tokens
How It Plays – Basic Rules
The expansion adds 13 new modules or aspects of the base game. Some challenge and fortunately some offer relief….phew!
The 13 modules are all optional and can be played in which order you like. We agree with the designers rulebook which suggests following the order shown in the rulebook and use the tutorials……the game flows better that way.
Challenging aspects of the expansion includes:
- Guards: As mentioned the difficulty level increases and the first way this is increased is via adding security guard pawns on the board. These patrolling Guards can move around the board just like the Hero pawns, however, the Guards and Heroes cannot be on the same tile at the same time.
- Sensor Tower: The Sensor prevents players from moving pawns onto the six spaces it covers. Any player can rotate it if a Hero pawn is on the Sensor Control space.
- The Beholder: If a Hero pawn and Guard pawn are on the same tile it has to be moved to the Guard room then that Hero pawn needs to be freed.
- Guard Room: Try to avoid getting captured and placed into the Guard room. If a Hero lands in there then you must use either a special power or code to get them out.
If that’s not challenging enough then other features may help such as the Steel door escape, and Reinforcement Guards.
Helpful modules of the expansion includes:
These are all going to assist players including the Anti-stress tokens, Ventilation shafts, Wall breach, Spells, Telekinesis, Map spaces, Auto-explore and the Control room.
The helpful modules really do assist in taking the pressure off the game for a while and offer relief.
That’s a quick overview of the modules to give you an idea of what’s going on. There’s a lot more functions with the tokens and other aspects of the game as well.
Here’s a great video on the expansion………
Likes & Dislikes?
What’s to dislike?
Maximum Security adds loads to Magic Maze and takes it to other levels.
Being able to use the Anti-Stress Tokens is a real blessing at times as you can speak or increase time to gather the game and players together somewhat.
The tutorials are very helpful for introducing new aspects and features of the game as the levels progress, and replayability of the base game is increased a heck of a lot.
The only issue we could see was that we needed players that already knew the base game. However, it’s an expansion so that’s the intention I suppose. Players can also simplify it and just add what modules make the game advance at your own pace.
Final Thoughts
Magic Maze is awesome as it is, however, if you want to ramp it up then Maximum Security certainly does that and more. A lot more planning and speed is required with the expansion which makes the use speaking time extremely valuable.
There’s a lot to take in and going on. Take it easy and learn each of the modules as you go along and don’t add too much too quickly.
Note: Not long after the Maximum Security expansion was released another expansion was introduced ‘Hidden Roles’ which allows you to place a traitor or two in the game and turns it into a semi-cooperative game.
