Damage is earned from both your enemies and from falls. It takes quite a few shots to the head or spine-damaging drops to kill you, though. And getting hurt is one of the better parts of the game, in that you lurch around and see stars for a moment while recovering. Death scenes also illustrate the cartoonish nature of the game. Fry in lava, and you're treated to a tip of the hat as Max goes down for the last time.
Healing is courtesy of the handy floating fruit on every level.
There's nothing like a slice of watermelon or a big banana to salve those wounds. One change is the addition of different levels. You start off in the rather bland Temple, sort of a training ground which gets you used to the gameplay. Then other levels open up, including the Lair of the Lavalord and Dragonfly Dungeon. Eventually, you'll access a total of eight levels.