.gif)
The Maw (video game)
Encyclopedia
The Maw received above average ratings from critics. It currently averages 75 out of 100 on Metacritic
for both the Xbox 360 and PC versions. GameRankings reports similar scores of 76.06% for the Xbox 360 and 73.33% for the PC. Accolades came from outlets such as Games Radar and GamePro
with each bestowing it with a 90% score. The lowest review came from Edge
magazine, who awarded only a 50% approval score. As of year-end 2010, The Maw has moved more than 169,000 units with its downloadable content selling more than 52,000 units collectively.
The game won the 2008 Audience Choice award at PAX10
, and was a finalist at the Independent Games Festival
2009. The Maw sold over 34,000 copies its first week of release, in May 2009 sales increased to 95,000 units, and by October of the same year had sold over 113,000 copies. Although sales slowed during the winter, the game still sold over one 144,000 units as of the end of January 2010. Gamasutra
also awarded the game with an honorable mention in its Top 5 Console Downloadable Games of 2009.
IGN
's Erik Brudvig praised the game, citing colorful graphics and easy yet fun gameplay. Brudvig also praised the game's music, stating "The soundtrack is excellent and fits the feel of the game perfectly." Phillip Kollar of Games Radar lauded the character designs, calling Frank and The Maw "adorable main characters." Kollar further expressed appreciated for the ability to learn to play the game without tutorial levels. TeamXbox
's Dale Nardozzi lauded the gameplay, visuals and audio, stating " Roll [them] together and you have one very tasty yumyum, not to mention one of the better original IP’s to hit Xbox Live Arcade in awhile."
Criticism of The Maw typically pointed to the game's short play time. Edge magazine's reviewer stated that the game was fun "while it lasts", a sentiment which Kevin VanOrd of GameSpot
shared. Game Revolution
's Eduardo Reboucas also agreed, stating "enjoy it while it lasts, though, because Maw's stay isn't a very long one." IGN reviewer Erik Brudvig added "The game can easily be beaten in a weekend of light playing. Some might play again to find everything, but most will call it a day."
Metacritic
Metacritic.com is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows and DVDs. For each product, a numerical score from each review is obtained and the total is averaged. An excerpt of each review is provided along with a hyperlink to the source. Three colour codes of Green,...
for both the Xbox 360 and PC versions. GameRankings reports similar scores of 76.06% for the Xbox 360 and 73.33% for the PC. Accolades came from outlets such as Games Radar and GamePro
GamePro
GamePro Media was a United States gaming media company publishing online and print content on the video game industry, video game hardware, and video game software developed for a video game console , a computer, and/or a mobile device . GamePro Media properties include GamePro magazine and...
with each bestowing it with a 90% score. The lowest review came from Edge
Edge (magazine)
Edge is a multi-format computer and video game magazine published by Future Publishing in the United Kingdom. It is known for its industry contacts, editorial stance, distinctive anonymous third-person writing style, yearly awards and longevity....
magazine, who awarded only a 50% approval score. As of year-end 2010, The Maw has moved more than 169,000 units with its downloadable content selling more than 52,000 units collectively.
The game won the 2008 Audience Choice award at PAX10
Penny Arcade Expo
The Penny Arcade Expo is a semi-annual gamer festival held in Seattle and Boston. PAX was created by Jerry Holkins and Mike Krahulik, the authors of the Penny Arcade webcomic, because they wanted to attend a show that gave equal attention to console gamers, computer gamers, and tabletop...
, and was a finalist at the Independent Games Festival
Independent Games Festival
The Independent Games Festival is an annual festival at the Game Developers Conference, the largest annual gathering of the indie video game industry. It was founded in 1998 to assist and inspire innovation in video game development and to recognize the best independent video game developers...
2009. The Maw sold over 34,000 copies its first week of release, in May 2009 sales increased to 95,000 units, and by October of the same year had sold over 113,000 copies. Although sales slowed during the winter, the game still sold over one 144,000 units as of the end of January 2010. Gamasutra
Gamasutra
Gamasutra is a website founded in 1997 for video game developers. It is owned and operated by UBM TechWeb , a division of United Business Media, and acts as the online sister publication to the print magazine Game Developer...
also awarded the game with an honorable mention in its Top 5 Console Downloadable Games of 2009.
IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
's Erik Brudvig praised the game, citing colorful graphics and easy yet fun gameplay. Brudvig also praised the game's music, stating "The soundtrack is excellent and fits the feel of the game perfectly." Phillip Kollar of Games Radar lauded the character designs, calling Frank and The Maw "adorable main characters." Kollar further expressed appreciated for the ability to learn to play the game without tutorial levels. TeamXbox
TeamXbox
TeamXbox is a gaming media web site dedicated to Microsoft's Xbox and Xbox 360 platforms. While the majority of content is Xbox and Xbox 360 related, the site occasionally covers general technology and other video game news....
's Dale Nardozzi lauded the gameplay, visuals and audio, stating " Roll [them] together and you have one very tasty yumyum, not to mention one of the better original IP’s to hit Xbox Live Arcade in awhile."
Criticism of The Maw typically pointed to the game's short play time. Edge magazine's reviewer stated that the game was fun "while it lasts", a sentiment which Kevin VanOrd of GameSpot
GameSpot
GameSpot is a video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other information. The site was launched in May 1, 1996 by Pete Deemer, Vince Broady and Jon Epstein. It was purchased by ZDNet, a brand which was later purchased by CNET Networks. CBS Interactive, which...
shared. Game Revolution
Game Revolution
Game Revolution or GR is a gaming website created in 1996. Based in Berkeley, California, the site includes reviews, previews, a gaming download area, cheats, and a merchandise store, as well as webcomics, screenshots, and videos...
's Eduardo Reboucas also agreed, stating "enjoy it while it lasts, though, because Maw's stay isn't a very long one." IGN reviewer Erik Brudvig added "The game can easily be beaten in a weekend of light playing. Some might play again to find everything, but most will call it a day."