Title: Mad Max
Type of Game: Action, Open World, Adventure, Driving
Developer: Avalanche Studios
Publisher: Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Released: September 1, 2015
Platforms Available: PC Game, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Linux Game, Mac Game
Platform Reviewed: PlayStation 4
Maturity: Mature 17+
Reading Time: 7 minutes
Mad Max – Surviving in a Savage World
Crazy times call for crazy acts from crazy heroes. And none of them are as messed up as Mad Max. In a post-apocalyptic world where violence is king and only gas, water, and scrap metal to build cars are worth anything, he’s one of the few who has managed to survive and fend for himself. Although he has lost his wife and child, he has not become a cold-blooded beast. However, Max Rockatansky doesn’t go far for a shot or a bullet, so trying his luck hasn’t paid off for many people.
Appeal of The Game
The Mad Max video game is based on the movie that came out around the same time. Still, in addition to fans of the original trilogy, it will be enjoyed by fans of the original trilogy and gamers who are just getting to know Mad Max. If you have a penchant for utopian worlds, action-packed car chases and once played Vigilante 8 or the legendary Destruction Derby from the FlatOut series, you don’t need to know the source material; you’ll have fun anyway. In fact, Mad Max is a pretty interesting open-world game. So start your engines, and let’s head out into the desert and into destiny.
Story and Characters
The story, however, is as trite as the movie Max’s adventure of the same name. Most of the action takes place early on, and after playing for a while, it moves forward like a snail in the desert to a more substantial finale. The plot is also as simple in content as a car chase.
In addition, Max has an elaborate character as the hero of a thirty-second commercial. Unfortunately, he’s nowhere near the charisma of Mel Gibson. Sometimes, you get the feeling that Max survived the game not because of his violent skills and cunning but because he bored his enemies to death. As a protagonist, he’s just weak. The supporting characters, especially your mechanic, are much better. But it may be because they haven’t appeared in the game for very long. However, all the end-of-the-world destroyed and tormented survivors really do look like a hellish version of our world and in the style of post-apocalyptic movies.
Gameplay Mechanics
In terms of gameplay, Mad Max seamlessly integrates both on-foot exploration and vehicular combat, offering players a dynamic range of experiences. The combat system, while robust, could be more polished, allowing for various tactics from precise punches to well-timed dodges. Interestingly, the game draws inspiration from real-world automotive engineering and post-apocalyptic survival lore:
Mad Max’s Magnum Opus, the player’s customizable vehicle, is a homage to classic muscle cars and modern off-road beasts. The developers meticulously researched real-world automotive designs to ensure authenticity in vehicle mechanics and aesthetics. This attention to detail enhances gameplay and immerses players in a post-apocalyptic vehicle’s gritty realism.
Car Chases and Open-World Exploration
Car chases are a chapter in themselves. They are not just exciting, they are heart-pounding, adrenaline-pumping experiences that will keep you on the edge of your seat. You’ll be firing at rival groups, looking for weak spots on cars like tires or petrol tanks, and even flying body parts and sparks. You’ll be running over fleeing enemies and harpooning them into buildings. The action in cars is simply unparalleled. Just wait until the warriors from the enemy gang are jumping on your car and you’ll be trying to shake them off. Of course, you’ll need petrol to go on a rampage behind the wheel, and there’s never a shortage of it. Luckily, you can carry a spare canister in the Magnus Opus. This will not only serve to refuel, but you can also pick it up, set it on fire and throw it at the entrance of an enemy fortress to get inside. The desert is indeed vast. There’s always somewhere to go and always something to do. Enemy bases and camps are filled not only with enemies just begging to be punched between the eyes, but also with valuable scrap. With it, you can upgrade your machine so that you can crawl through every nook and cranny and every crumbled hut. The game itself will tell you how much scrap and other items are still there, so you don’t have to run in circles. Searching every nook and cranny is worth it, because every part counts. Players who like to complete games 100% of the time will enjoy Mad Max.
Visuals and World Design
The plains, valleys, dunes and sandy towns are handled with such attention to detail that you can’t help but be captivated. A player might even say that ten different shades of sand would be nothing breathtaking but the opposite is true, the game is really beautiful. Occasionally an object will pop up on the horizon, but otherwise the textures are sharp and visibility is decent. Whether you follow the storyline or choose to complete side missions, you definitely won’t finish the game in one day. It will take you 20 to 30 hours, which is fine. Unfortunately, the side missions are very repetitive. While the main quests change, the optional ones are always driving somewhere, destroying something or bringing something back and so on.
Max Conclusion
Mad Max is a game full of contradictions, but positives prevail. The gameplay is based on frantic driving, exploring a beautifully crafted post-apocalyptic world, and upgrading your steel-wheeled beast on a quest for revenge. If you enjoy games that take their place in open or post-apocalyptic worlds, you’ll enjoy this one, too.
Subreddit and Where to Buy Mad Max
Steam (PC, Mac, Linux): Available for $19.99. You can purchase it directly from Steam.
PlayStation Store (PS4): The game is priced at $19.99. You can find it on the PlayStation Store.
Xbox Store : Available for $19.99. Check it out on the Xbox Store.
Subreddit: Join the discussion on the Mad Max Subreddit.