I really want to like him so badly. I've forced myself to play him for well over 30hrs. It was a frustrating and tiresome experience. I really like his personality and monologue. His health can be managed with care. The downside for me is the shadow puppets. They are presented as a benefit and beg to be used even after they prove their infuriating qualities.
For the benefit of cutting wood quickly I get to spend every other moment running away from tress hoping I was quick enough to stop them from clear cutting everything especially the twiggy tress in my base. I could dispel them sure; but then I get to waste two days farming fuel. The miner and digger cost just as much and face the same AI issues but are only useful some of the time. I won't even go into the duelists, which really should be the redeeming light for Maxwell. They are not.
Being able to read books is fine. Rarely see Wickerbottom. In fact I usually play solo because most people join, say "Where the base" wander around for a few minutes then leave after dying in darkness. (That's what I've experienced during 80hrs+ in DST.)
I've seen a dozen threads complaining about Maxwell being underwhelming, they are reminded that Maxwell is more of a gatherer. He's more like a destructive nuisance. In every thread I scroll through hoping to hear from development about how they feel. I wondered if they themselves played the game with the community. Did they meet up later and say "Yeah this is fine, works great."
The sale brought a lot of new players. Any links to the Devs commenting on Maxwell?
I might give in and go with everyone's champ Wolfgang. ;\