| User | Rating | Min. Age | Adults Too | Comment |
| 1wif | 10 | 4 | Yes | For preschoolers, it just doesn't get better than Max. We play this game time and again and my daughter never gets tired of it. It's hard to lose the little animals to Max, but because it's cooperative, my daughter is able to handle the loss. I find the cooperative nature is a great way to teach the game, you can just let the child make their mistakes and they get to watch how you play; no hidden information, no competition. It's a favourite at our house. |
| Sprydle | 10 | 4 | | This game is a lot of fun for kids and adults. For adults, it plays like a simplified version of Knizia's Lord of the Rings--really it does! To compare, rather than having a couple choices with types of avoidance which you do in LotR, you have just one--to treat or not. But the same tension is there, and the same necessity to look ahead and plan accordingly, which produces very similar strategy conversations amongst the players.
It is quite a challenge even when we help, heck it's quite a challenge even if my wife and I just play--if it's not a challenge you're either very lucky or you're not playing the Max takes ALL shortcuts rule.
If your child wants Max to eat the animals, play by the rules--Max takes all shortcuts (Max will then most likely eat at least 1 animal). If your child is upset with Max eating the animals (this seems to change based on age a little bit), then don't play by that rule, play that Max can't take any shortcuts--that way the animals will usually all survive.
Plays in about 10 to 15 minutes, has a fun little bit of tension, and our daughter loves it.
Although the components are quite low-quality (being basically desk-top published) the game is one of the best we've found, with great decisions which grow with your child! |
| agenteasy | 9 | | | *The idea* A mouse, a bird and a squirrel are trying to get to the tree at the end of the path before Max the cat catches them. It's a simple roll and move type game, but it's a cooperative game so no one actually controls a specific animal. Instead, on a player's turn they roll the two dice (the dice only have single green and black dots). A green dot means the player moves an animal one space, and a black dot means the cat moves one space. Since there are three animals and just one cat, Max catches up quickly. Luckily, there are 4 cat treats that can be played any time to make Max go back to the beginning!
*Components* A somewhat low quality production, you get a small game board, cardboard counters for the cat, the 3 animals and 4 "cat treats". It's all functional, but not very exciting. Also, you get two special dice with nothing but single green and black dots on them.
*Comments* My son has been captivated by this game since we bought it. We play on average 2-3 times a day! As a parent, I find the concept of the cat treats interesting. I let my son decide when to play them, and it's fun to watch him decide when the best time is. I wasn't sure if the concept of the cat catching the animals would upset him, but it hasn't so far. Sometimes the animals all get home safely, sometimes none do. |
| alkaiser | 9 | 4 | Some | Nice cooperative game. Everyone works to get all the animals home safely and away from the cat. It's a simple game that is very easy to explain but the choices of which animal to move and when to send the cat back to the start are often puzzled over for a while. It's interesting to see the choices kids make and why. |
| cokasaki | 9 | | | When my daughter was 4, this was by far the best, most interesting game to play with her. |
| corross | 9 | 3 | Some | This is an awesome game for small children -- my 5 year old still enjoys it very much, and my 8 year old will join in from time to time. Adults would never want to play it without children, but it's OK with kids. It's a cooperative game with a limited amount of decision-making. The critters don't always make it out alive, which some children might find upsetting. Overall, great kids' game! |
| mlmoon | 9 | 3 | Yes | Excellent cooperative game. The kids enjoy saving the critters and avoiding the cat. It is a nice change of pace game when you need a break from more competitive games. |
| mtweedy | 9 | 3 | Yes | |
| Mark | 8 | 3 | Some | A nice cooperative game. |
| Moogler21 | 8 | 2 | No | I bought this for my daughter a few months before she turned three. While she requests this game pretty often, it is rare for us to actually finish the game. Initially she wanted Max to eat the little animals and the whole role and move mechanics was just a fun diversion not connected with the movement of the pieces. Now she is usually able to get the animals home no problem (maybe I'm helping too much) and understand the mechanics.
About the components, while the cardboard may seem a little bit cheap, I think it is less attractive for children to put into their mouths and swallow. |
| smithhemb | 8 | | | In my opinion, this is the best first roll-and-move and vastly superior to Snails Pace Race which usually gets recommended for that niche.
Like Snails Pace Race, Max does not involve competition among the players. Unlike Snails Pace Race, there is a clear goal that you are working toward and some strategic choices to be made (and discussed).
Production values could be better, but you could also probably buy plastic figures to replace the cardboard chits if you were so inclined. |
| efreeman | 6 | 3 | No | At 3, my son still has trouble showing enough patience for this game. Could get better as he ages. 1/1/09 My son now has the patience, but isn't a big fan....neither am I. It was worth buying though. |
| shawndumas | 4 | 3 | No | No meaningful choices. So-so components. Ok kids game. Pre-teens and teens will hate it. No half naked women, gore, cursing, but some morbidity (pets get eaten). |