M.A.X. 2 savefile crash fixed

[DwarfFighterCleric]

I'm not sure all MAX players heard of this but I'm posting it here too.
I've found a way to fix the end-of-turn crashes M.A.X. 2 had when loading saved games (particularly bad for Campaign missions)
Video of it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGGmwdifGXQ
" (Download Link) M.A.X.2 crashes fixed "

You don't actually need to download the file from there.
The solution is using DxWnd and the particular setting you need to enable is "Handle Exceptions" in the Compatibility tab (you need to enable Expert Mode to unlock all tabs)
By using CNC-ddraw you enable the option to play the game window mode with Mouse locked to the window (you have to disable Render in DxWnd so both programs run at same time)

[klei1984]

Based on the video you are using the German v1.0 release of M.A.X. 2 which contains the sarcastic intro dub having the "flat cat" vibes.
The USA release contains the revised intro video and at least v1.1 of the game which contains the final save game format revision, rev 137.

The last patch for M.A.X. 2 is v1.40 which fixes various single player issues.

If you use M.A.X. 2 from Steam or GOG.com or similar, I highly recommend to first fix it by getting the proper game data from one of the later retail releases of the game first and patching the retails to v1.40.

[DwarfFighterCleric]

It is already patched, but as you mention it is the GOG release, yes.

I'm gonna search for an original ISO because the music tracks on GOG release are also missing, there was great music in this game that was removed for whatever reason. It only loops the first track.

[klei1984]

M.A.X. 2 features adaptive music which changes with the events experienced in game. E.g. big fight ongoing = intense music segment. Doing nothing = calm music segment. The music files of M.A.X. 2 are these, and the GOG version have all 31 adaptive tracks:

MAX2\ACTION1.ACM
MAX2\ACTION2.ACM
MAX2\ALIEN1.ACM
MAX2\ALIEN2.ACM
MAX2\ALIEN3.ACM
MAX2\ALIEN4.ACM
MAX2\ALIEN5.ACM
MAX2\ALIEN6.ACM
MAX2\HIT1.ACM
MAX2\HIT2.ACM
MAX2\HIT3.ACM
MAX2\HUMAN1.ACM
MAX2\HUMAN2.ACM
MAX2\HUMAN3.ACM
MAX2\HUMAN4.ACM
MAX2\HUMAN5.ACM
MAX2\HUMAN6.ACM
MAX2\HUMAN7.ACM
MAX2\LNGSWELL.ACM
MAX2\LOSE_MSC.ACM
MAX2\MENU.ACM
MAX2\SWELL1.ACM
MAX2\SWELL2.ACM
MAX2\SWELL3.ACM
MAX2\SWELL4.ACM
MAX2\SWELL5.ACM
MAX2\TENSION1.ACM
MAX2\TENSION2.ACM
MAX2\TENSION3.ACM
MAX2\TENSION4.ACM
MAX2\WINR_MSC.ACM 

The GOG release of M.A.X. 2 is not patched. It is stock v1.00 German release (first buggy EU release that had to be re-released later), so I assume you patched the game yourself to v1.3 or v1.40.

[DwarfFighterCleric]

Oh okay, yeah I just converted the files with ffmpeg and it seems like the files are all here, even though they are not played in game.

Someone mentions in GOG forums that for MAX2 you need to install all the patches in succession, 1.1 1.2 1.3 and finally 1.40 otherwise some features in the game will stop working including enemy AI... the final 1.40 patch does not include the previous patches unfortunately, it's not cumulative, I will be trying that next

[klei1984]

They do play. You can check it using SysInternals' ProcessMonitor.

Cumulative patch link for v1.0 (steam, gog, ...) you need v1.3r. Then you can try v1.40 update on top. Some say v1.3 is better than v1.40. If you do try both, share your experience...