Just after the news that Mad Max: Fury Road was voted the World’s Top Film by the International Federation of Film Critics — yeah, just wait for the American “Academy” to screw that one up — fans of the film who went and picked up the Blu Ray were also treated to the release of Mad Max: The Game.
Now, before each one of our colorful gaming “Maxians” hands out their report, let’s make a few things clear. Reviews of the Mad Max game have been generally favorable, albeit mixed thus far, and was also released the alongside one of the most heavily-anticipated games of all time, Metal Gear Solid V. But, knowing that Konami’s GOTY frontrunner isn’t for everybody (hard to believe, but true), Mad Max might be more than a healthy alternative option. We spent a few extra days with the game to ensure we could bring you the best reviews possible, and GHG appreciates your patience considering some of us are playing/critiquing both games. Enjoy!
@travmoody
Mad Max is the most awesome, repetitious game ever. It’s splendidly stagnant. Much like Far Cry, the Batman: Arkham series and many of the Assassin’s Creed titles, you have a map, which has regions you unlock, and you further unlock and conquer more symbols in the regions.
While all vastly formulaic, particularly in its opening sequence of 6-steps to cinematic to 6-steps to cinematic, the customizing in Mad Max makes “doing the shit over and over” worth it. ‘Pooning down those plentiful vulture towers, snipers, going blow-for-blow with War Boys and that overwhelming, near Witcher 3-level constant search for scrap and car parts in the Wasteland leads to bigger rewards, as well as some of the coolest car customization ever.
There’s more than a need for speed, since you’re not asking your wacky mechanic Chumbucket for a mere facelift or to wrench up a few turbo boosts; you’re composing your Magnum Opus to be a war machine. In addition to your usual garage specific engine (V6 and V8), exhaust, tires, body model (there are Archangel variations of the Opus you can build along the way), paint, and suspension work, the pure badassery comes from Texas BBQ-sized ramming grills, metal-shredding rim grinders (also upgraded to flame flamethrowing side burners), armored spikes, sniper rifle, and Chum’s favorite moment of the day: Thunderpooning those poor face-painted targets to smithereens.
Oh yeah, you can customize the guy who drives these masochirustic buckets of gasoline too. While more cosmetic in terms of necessity (the car MUST be built for greatness in order to enter the Plains of Silence), tricking up Max can be a good time. Players have the option of giving this sonofagun some long or trimmed beards, colorful face paint, more loaded shoulder mags, and leather jax for protection. It’s sometimes a difficult choice between sparing some of that scrap for Max or the Mag.
Look, I know Fury Road has a far better chance winning an Oscar for Best Picture than this does winning GOTY. That’s fine. But if you’re huge fan of the film franchise, into roaming around massive open landscapes with plenty of invigorating car chases and close-up combat — all the while looking downright spectacular — Mad Max might be one of those hypnotic, dark horse releases you ought to pick up. In WB Games we trust. And, hell, it’s likely worth playing many of your hard-earned hours for those HOLY SHIT “driving into the windstorm” moments alone. 3.75/5 Bibles.
@OffTheGeekEnd
Let’s get down to the dirt, for all those blazing across many desert miles on either Xbox One or PS4: Mad Max offers pleasant graphics for the eye and sound to makes your ears happy. While the game isn’t going to win awards on those two fronts — but, hey, maybe the movie will! — it does represent some of the higher level of texture and model fidelity that the gaming market offers today. And if you are from the PC camp, you’ll get an even better load of eye candy.
Although no game can seem to nail the perfect balance of details to render a correct human being, Max‘s animation also doesn’t feel stiff or robotic. Facial expressions are nice, and eyes move correctly; tracking with the head at just the right times and looking in directions when they should, and very convincingly. And eyes are one of those details that can make or break the moment.
Beyond the human details and animation is a whole world to discover and conquer. The gorgeous landscape, despite being a ravished and torn up wasteland, is filled with a lot of character. Avalanche makes you feel like the world really exists. Your vehicle of choice will have a tough time on some terrain and drive with ease on others, giving you reason to take “a higher path”. Cliffs, dunes, and boulders all layer over the proper barren terrain. The screams of local bandits will, of course, snap Max back to harsh reality and get that foot on the pedal to power away and avoid an early demise. Tracks in the dirt, small rocks covering the ground, even your movement walking through sand is done beautifully in the game.
This Saint actually found himself enjoying the footprints that were left in the sand with each step Max took–which slowly disappear, as the desert sands dissipate and even kick up nicely as War Boys rage to defend their territory; smoke billows from their spike-smothered rides as you try to tear them down. Good luck. Even the war cries and screams from these nearby scavengers and thieves can be heard as you whip around the land. If you have Dolby surround, you can even hear the proper direction from which they are coming, and at levels based on how close or far they are. When you decide to take on a few in a fight, expect to hear banter as they attempt to insult you and cheer on their fellow thugs into beating the life from you. And while I love a good soundtrack, this game doesn’t attempt to make it the main focus of the game; allowing it to fill the background without being over the top and stealing the show.
Avalanche Studios sure covered their bases to give a proper “Fury Road” look, sound and feel to the game, all the while doing just enough to give Max: The Game its own identity. Of course, we had no reason to doubt them, seeing how this is the same team responsible for the excellent Just Cause series (more on that in December!). It’s enough to fully enjoy the journey, making sure to take time and complete the missions in full, discover all the possible paths, and see all that I can before the end credits roll. Whether you decide to pay full price now or wait until it drops in a year, put Mad Max on your list of games to play. 4/5 Bibles.
@Noway
Upgrading your character is pretty much a staple of any game these days, as progression systems usually rely on XP, story completion, or some sort of credit/money system in-game. Mad Max has flipped the script and made it a little more complicated than usual–and not entirely a bad thing.
There are three basic upgrade categories that are essential to progression: character, car, and Stronghold. All of these, for the most part, deal with the currency of the Wasteland, which is scrap. Spend the scrap to upgrade the Magnum Opus, add some spikes here, some more suspension there, a v8 engine? Yes indeedy!
If you’re a fan of the films — especially two in particular, which are chiefly just “chase” films — the vehicular combat does not disappoint. Once again, upgrading your Magnum Opus can lead to some very gratifying moments. Wanna harpoon the driver right out of the car and drag him behind you for miles? Boom. Cook your enemies with side-burners? Grind up anybody that comes near with razor sharp rims? Go for it.
In addition, upgrading the various Strongholds allow Max to replenish his resources upon visiting his homeboys’ bases, and PRO-TIP, ladies and gentleman: “Clean Up Crew” makes it so Max doesn’t have to exit his vehicle to collect the scrap after he unleashes some retribution on the malevolent denizens of the Wasteland. Finally, once again it is scrap, scrap, and more scrap used to upgrade Max himself into a complete badass. Progressing to be able to stay in Fury Mode longer (nice play on words, devs), use melee weapons longer, was definitely a highlight of my experience.
Mad Max‘s H2H will feel very familiar to you if you’ve played either fellow WB game, Shadows of Mordor or the Arkham series. Mash one button to attack, another well-timed button for the counter, rinse, wash, repeat. Again, upgrading Max will take him from fledgling survivor to practical superhuman with fantastic finishers that rival Mortal Kombat in terms of “holy crap that looks like it hurt” factor. Not much feels better than stringing together some vicious combos on hapless War Boys and finishing them off with a German suplex that would make Brock Lesnar proud.
There’s satisfaction to the game’s simplicity. Mad Max‘s upgrade paths are certainly a grind, but Avalanche has done a tremendous job of making it not feel like one. Not only will this helluva thrill ride wind up in my Top 5 Video Games of 2015, it may very well be the Red Dead Redemption sequel I’ve been waiting for. 5/5 Bibles.