Maximo vs Army of Zin Boss FAQ
Version 1.0 5/20/04
Written by Thunderbird

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This FAQ is copyright (c) 2002 by Sean Taylor

This FAQ is merely intended to assist you, the reader, with the boss
battles for Maximo vs Army of Zin for the Playstation 2 Computer
Entertainment System. You may not post it elsewhere without first
asking for permission. You may not modify this FAQ and then post it as
your original work. You may not use this FAQ for money making purposes
(this includes running ads on the same page as this FAQ). If this FAQ
is posted on your site (with permission), it may not be placed in an
area that requires a special membership (paid or otherwise) to access.
If you would like to ask permission to post this FAQ on your site,
please email me at [email protected] and I'll probably
allow you to do so, provided that the above conditions are met.
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Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Version Information
3. The Bosses
3.1 The House Crasher
3.2 Cyclocks
3.3 Old Wounds
3.4 Guardian of the Deep
3.5 Master of the Zin
3.6 Ghost in the Machine
4. Conclusion

1. Introduction

Welcome to my Maximo vs Army of Zin Boss FAQ. Chances are that you're
here because you are confused about a particular boss, and want some
assistance.

Note that Down With The Ship is not detailed here, because that stage
is not an actual boss battle.

When a boss battle is completed, the level of the fight is marked as
Mastered, so you will never need to re-enter the battle. You can if you
want, of course.

2. Version Information

0.8 Written 5/19/04
Initial version, last 4 bosses covered (need to replay the first 2)

1.0 Written 5/20/04
All bosses covered.

3. The Bosses

Before you read on, be aware that there are some spoilers in this
section. Don't read ahead unless you want to be spoiled.

3.1 The House Crasher

Relatively simple boss fight. The fight itself will not start until
Maximo is in the open field. At that time a creature will crash into
the lone house here and use it. In order to cause any damage, you must
whack the large orb on his head. Hit him with the downward slash of the
air combo and he will be on the ground for a few seconds. Use that time
to whack him for heavy damage. If he closes the doors of the house and
starts charging, keep moving to the sides to avoid being hit. After his
lifebar is depleted, he will lose the house, and become armed with
cannons (his lifebar will refill for this). When he starts firing, keep
moving to the side away from the bullets and Maximo won't get hit. If
close to him, you will need to jump to dodge the blasts. The method to
cause damage is still the same, whack the orb on his head with your
sword. Finish this form off by depleting his lifebar, which will end
this battle.

3.2 Cyclocks

Bit of a pain, though not as tough as what is beyond him. Maximo starts
inside of Tinker's house, and Cyclocks will demolish the front. Simply
whack the eyeball to do damage (the 3rd strike of an air combo will sap
a healthy portion of his lifebar). As he takes damage, he will move to
the sides of the house and demolish them. Attack until he moves. Once
the entire house is down and he moves again, it will be in the house,
so get out of it. The attacks vary here, but may include lightning, and
swipes with those huge hands. He's not very difficult to take out
altogether.

3.3 Old Wounds – Baron of Hawkmoor

This is a difficult fight. Baron likes to block pretty often and use
magic attacks against you. If you hear "I call upon the power of my
ancestors" then it is well advised to move. There are 3 types of beings
he can call. The first one will be called if there is a great distance
between Maximo and Baron, and it will launch an arrow at Maximo. Simply
move out of the way to avoid it. The other two may come up while in a
close-up fight. One will attack with an axe, which the shield cannot
block, so get clear. The other will simply block, and not attack
Maximo.
Don't try to do multiple strikes against Baron, because he will block
after the first one connects. Once you deplete his lifebar, the battle
will end.

3.4 Guardian of the Deep

This is probably the hardest boss in this game. It is a large snake,
which will pop up under the wood platform that Maximo is on. Grim is
very helpful here, and I hope you have at least one of the Grim meter
upgrades, and at least one of the Super meter upgrades (see the knight
salesman for these upgrades, he can be found easily on Into the Fire).
Two of each is what I had. Make sure both are full as well. As the
snake pops up under the wood, it will remove the piece which it was
under. Do not fall off the platform, or you will end up in the e-weeds,
which hurt quite a bit. If you have enough spirit in the Grim meter,
call in Grim and do as much damage as you can to the snake. After Grim
leaves, toss your shield at the snake to do more damage at a distance.
Once your Super Meter is drained, you will have to attack the snake
close up.

If this strategy fails and you die, I suggest quitting and restarting,
because the Grim Meter and Super Meter will not refill with a lost
life.

Also note that this is only one possible strategy. There are no doubt
others out there.

3.5 Master of the Zin – Bane

Not too difficult. Zin warriors will occasionally enter the arena, but
they're usually safe to ignore. Some of them may drop armor pieces if
you need them. Bane will not take damage unless the spirit in his body
is exposed. Hit him a few times and it will open. Suggest using a
Piercing Blow once that happens, which will take a large portion of
life off. Once Bane reaches 50% life, he will switch to different
attacks, but the method for defeating him is still the same. His
lifebar will refill as well. Watch out for his wave attack, which can
do some nasty damage and cannot be blocked with the shield (have to
jump over it). Just bring his lifebar down to 0% here and he's done
for.

So, Bane is down. You've won the game...right?

3.6 Ghost in the Machine – Achille

I share Grim's attitude on this: "Didn't we whack this guy already?" Of
course, Ghosts to Glory veterans probably expected something like this
to happen, and Capcom has come through with a rather nasty surprise. It
is recommended to have all 3 Grim Meter upgrades, though I got through
with only 2 (and without taking a single hit, at that). Maximo himself
cannot cause any damage to Achille, but each hit will release Spirit
instead. Collect this to fill the Grim Meter. Once it is full, get near
Achille and use R1 to switch to Grim. At first Grim's whacks do not do
much damage, but after the spirit barrier is gone, each hit takes a
fair chunk off. However, Achille will restore this barrier shortly
after losing it. Once Grim's meter expires, simply go back to attacking
Achille to gain spirits to refill the meter (and maybe earn an extra
life or two). Lather, rinse, repeat until Achille is out of commission.

4. Conclusion

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I'd like to thank Capcom for making this game, and it's prequel,
Maximo: Ghosts to Glory.