Mad Max
- August 30, 2015
- Avalanche Studios
- 35h median play time
Mad Max is an engaging rampage through a brutal world of depravity and loss that urges you to probe every ugly corner.
In "Mad Max," players step into the shoes of the iconic post-apocalyptic anti-hero, using melee combat and a shotgun to take down foes. Aiding Max is Chumbucket, who helps build and upgrade the powerful Magnum Opus vehicle. This vehicle can be equipped with various weapons, such as the explosive thunderstick and the harpoon, and used to destroy enemy vehicles in fierce combat. The game also features slow-motion driving and aiming mechanics for added intensity.
Reviews
- story9,779 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The story in "Mad Max" is generally described as straightforward and somewhat basic, focusing on Max's quest for revenge after his car is stolen. While some players appreciate the engaging world-building and character interactions, many criticize the narrative for being thin and repetitive, often feeling like a vehicle for the gameplay rather than a compelling plot. The ending, in particular, is noted as abrupt and unsatisfying, leaving some players feeling disconnected from the characters and their journeys. Overall, the game is seen as more about the action and exploration than a deep, immersive story.
“The story is engaging and well-written, with a cast of characters that are memorable and well-developed.”
“The story is fantastic, really hits it on the nail with what a mad max story should be.”
“The story, while seemingly simple, doesn't feel out of place in the lore and world of mad max itself.”
“The story is also one of the weak points of this game; it's basically all a big fetch quest as Max is searching for a V8 engine, and the characters present here (including Max) are very underdeveloped and don't talk all that much, so that you can't be genuinely invested in what the hell is going on.”
“The story is pretty minimalist, which I'm fine with, but it suffers from very generic quest structures ranging from fetch quests to fighting the same handful of enemy types.”
“The story is lackluster and the gameplay is extremely repetitive with little to no reward.”
- gameplay3,834 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 51 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Mad Max" is a blend of engaging vehicular combat and hand-to-hand fighting mechanics reminiscent of the Batman: Arkham series, providing a satisfying experience overall. While the driving mechanics are often praised for their responsiveness and fun factor, many players note that the gameplay can become repetitive due to similar mission structures and objectives. Despite these criticisms, the game's stunning visuals and immersive world contribute to a compelling experience that keeps players invested for hours.
“The gameplay cycle is fairly addicting thanks to the good combat systems, both driving and fighting.”
“The driving mechanics are excellent, the vehicle and hand-to-hand combat are responsive and feel very impactful, and the world is a fun place to explore, with a surprising amount of variety for a dead, barren world like Mad Max's.”
“With its robust gameplay mechanics and a beautifully brutal world, this game is a must-play for fans of open-world adventures and vehicular mayhem.”
“Boring and repetitive gameplay.”
“Repetitive gameplay that's 70% button mashing, a car that feels weak even with all the upgrades, or how much time is wasted finding collectibles.”
“The gameplay is repetitive and downright intolerable if played in sessions longer than an hour or two.”
- graphics2,587 mentions
- 65 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The graphics in "Mad Max" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals and atmospheric design, effectively capturing the essence of the post-apocalyptic wasteland. Players appreciate the game's ability to run smoothly on a variety of hardware, with many noting that it still holds up well even years after its release in 2015. The detailed environments, dynamic weather effects, and impressive explosion animations contribute to an immersive experience that enhances both gameplay and exploration.
“The environments are detailed, the weather effects are dynamic, and everything screams 'Mad Max.' The art style perfectly captures the essence of the movies, with rusted-out cars, makeshift weapons, and a general sense of chaos and decay.”
“The graphics are so stunning that I often find myself stopping in the middle of a high-speed chase to take a snapshot, which is probably why I keep getting run over by raiders.”
“It's got fantastic, utterly fantastic visuals that capture the beauty of the wasteland so completely that you have to stop sometimes and just admire the view.”
“While I do enjoy this game, quite a bit actually, the graphics haven't aged all that well, and it kind of really misses the mark in the sense of the aesthetic of the Mad Max franchise.”
“The graphics are a total vibe.”
“The graphics are not the best....there is a lot of camps that look the same.”
- grinding996 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 3 % neutral mentions
- 97 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting it can be quite tedious and repetitive, especially when aiming for 100% completion. While some enjoy the grind for upgrades and find it rewarding, others feel it detracts from the overall experience, leading to a sense of monotony as players clear camps and gather scrap. Overall, the game is described as fun but heavily reliant on grinding, which may not appeal to everyone.
“Mind you, this isn't tedious at all, you want this to happen because the combat is so god damn fun.”
“The game is not too grindy compared to newer games of this genre...unless you want every achievement in the game.”
“Also, I'm fine with the open-world grind quests: climb the tower, cut down all the flags, kick down all the sand castles, etc... busy work stuff is fine, as long as it's not tedious and fun to do.”
“The only default of this game is the Ubisoft-style open world with a gazillion activities to do in order to complete 100%, which on one side is more time to spend on the game but on the other side a bit tedious by the end.”
“Lists upon lists of icons, grinding to no end, and probably the worst offender of all -- main missions locked until a certain amount of side content is satisfied.”
“The game can be grindy if you're into that but you don't have to grind.”
- optimization674 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received widespread acclaim, with many players noting its ability to run smoothly on a variety of hardware, including older systems. Reviewers consistently highlight the impressive graphics and performance, often achieving high frame rates even at maximum settings. While some minor performance issues and bugs were reported, they generally do not detract from the overall experience, making it one of the best-optimized games in recent memory.
“Another win for the game is that it is incredibly well optimized.”
“The optimization in this game is nigh flawless.”
“The game runs smoothly on max settings.”
“The game is plagued with bugs, glitches, and performance problems, which make it difficult to play at times.”
“Game is poorly optimized for high end devices.”
“But now oh boy where do I even start? The enemy and textures are not loading properly, a lot of bugs and stuttering even though I'm in the lowest setting possible and made some tweaks in the config settings. I watched a thousand videos on how to fix the lag on this game and it still doesn't work.”
- atmosphere651 mentions
- 62 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in "Mad Max" is widely praised for its immersive and authentic representation of a post-apocalyptic wasteland, effectively capturing the gritty essence of the film series. Players appreciate the stunning visuals, dynamic weather effects, and detailed environments that enhance the overall experience, making exploration feel both engaging and atmospheric. Despite some criticisms regarding repetitive gameplay, the game's ability to evoke a sense of desolation and chaos resonates strongly with fans of the franchise, solidifying its status as a standout in atmospheric design.
“Mad Max offers a compelling journey through a beautifully desolate wasteland, capturing the gritty atmosphere of the Mad Max universe while delivering a robust open-world experience.”
“The atmosphere in this game is one of the very best I've ever experienced in games.”
“The attention to detail in the barren landscapes, weather-beaten structures, and the gritty, sun-scorched atmosphere is nothing short of breathtaking.”
“However, I personally did not enjoy the atmosphere and universe of the game; I found it rather cheesy, generic, and unimpressive.”
“The atmosphere is aggressive, oppressive, and lonely... much like today's Russia.”
“The gameplay of the game is quite repetitive and lacking in variety, and many players are aware of this and play it for the atmosphere.”
- stability436 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 2 % neutral mentions
- 76 % negative mentions
The stability of "Mad Max" has received mixed reviews from players, with many noting a range of bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, particularly involving vehicle mechanics and mission progression. While some players report a smooth experience with minimal issues, others describe the game as a "buggy mess" that can be frustratingly unplayable at times. Overall, the game runs well on various systems, but the presence of persistent glitches detracts from the overall experience for many users.
“Overall, Mad Max is a solid pick if you’re looking for a well-crafted open-world experience that runs great on the Steam Deck.”
“The game runs great on full settings; the only bug I had in my 55 hours was a single infinite loading screen.”
“Kudos to the devs for making it nearly bug-free and very smooth running.”
“Unplayable, buggy mess.”
“The game is so buggy that it's unplayable.”
“This game had potential, but the many glitches make it unbearable.”
- music313 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting a lack of memorable tracks and a sparse soundtrack during exploration. While some appreciate the atmospheric and situational music that enhances combat and key moments, others find it forgettable and wish for a more robust selection, particularly during driving sequences. Overall, players often recommend supplementing the game's music with their own playlists to enhance the experience.
“The musical score complements the desolate landscape perfectly, intensifying the emotional impact of key moments throughout the game.”
“In addition to its captivating gameplay, Mad Max boasts a phenomenal soundtrack that enhances the overall atmosphere, perfectly complementing the chaotic and intense moments in the game.”
“The music is atmospheric and haunting when things are peaceful and dynamically switches to a pumped-up rock theme when combat begins.”
“It's got little to no music, so I just kind of have music or a podcast while I explore the wasteland and destroy people.”
“The story is adequate and the music is almost nonexistent.”
“What's probably the worst part is that there's hardly any music anywhere in the game and what's there is so dull and forgettable it might as well be nonexistent.”
- humor178 mentions
- 99 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by chaotic and over-the-top moments, with players highlighting the comedic value of characters like Chumbucket, whose quirky dialogue and antics provide comic relief in a bleak post-apocalyptic setting. While some find the humor to be a delightful mix of dark and absurd, others note that it can become repetitive, particularly in dialogue. Overall, the game successfully blends humor with action, making for an entertaining experience filled with funny names, situations, and unexpected glitches.
“It's a hilariously chaotic ride filled with laughs, epic explosions, and enough scrap to build an entire car factory.”
“The story is interesting, and the black humor you'd expect from a Mad Max entry is fully on display.”
“Chumbucket is a hilarious (albeit slightly annoying at times) sidekick and can help keep the game from feeling as lonely as it sometimes perhaps should.”
“Wow, I never really liked playing movie games before, but this game is so amazing and so well done, it's not funny.”
- replayability171 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate a mixed perception of replayability across the game, with many players noting limited replay value after completing the main storyline. While some appreciate the open-world design and side activities that encourage exploration, others find the game repetitive and lacking in substantial content for multiple playthroughs. Overall, the consensus suggests that while the game is enjoyable for a single run, it may not offer enough incentive for repeated play.
“The side activities and collectibles scattered throughout the wasteland, including scavenging locations, enemy strongholds, and races, add replayability and incentivize exploration.”
“It's an amazing game from top to bottom with an egregious amount of replayability and stuff to do.”
“Everything you do in Mad Max is rewarded in some way, whether you are able to unlock more gear, or further decrease and eventually eliminate how many enemies roam the map; nothing really goes unsatisfied when I play, it's the best reason for replayability.”
“Limited replay value.”
“The only sad thing is once you beat it completely there is little to no replay value left.”
“If I were to have one issue with this game though, it would be that it has virtually no replay value; once you beat the game, that's it.”
- emotional137 mentions
- 94 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players highlighting its ability to evoke strong feelings, particularly during key moments and the ending, which some found heartbreaking. While some criticized the story as thin or repetitive, others appreciated the depth of character experiences and emotional investment, particularly in relation to the protagonist's journey and relationships. Overall, the game is seen as an emotional rollercoaster that, despite its flaws, delivers impactful moments that resonate with players.
“The musical score complements the desolate landscape perfectly, intensifying the emotional impact of key moments throughout the game.”
“The story in the game is really good; it's not just a simple revenge story, it has a lot of touching moments as well as pretty deep questions as you follow Max, a man broken by a hellish world and the horrors in his past.”
“The storyline is touching and emotionally rich, making me laugh at some characters and driving me on an emotional, entertaining, and stunning journey through the wasteland.”
“The game is pretty empty, which is kind of the point; really boring story, it's not worth the money.”
“So far I'm unimpressed with the dull and boring story, and the awful controls.”
“Boring story, boring fetch quests, dull open world, and sluggish controls.”
- character development77 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 51 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
Character development in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising the depth of Max's character arc and the engaging storyline, while others criticize it for being shallow and lacking meaningful interactions. Many players appreciate the strong character design and atmospheric elements, but feel that the overall character development is inconsistent, often leading to a rushed narrative and underwhelming side characters. Overall, while the game captures the essence of the Mad Max universe, it falls short in delivering a profound character-driven experience.
“The storyline, coupled with the strong character development of Max himself, adds depth to the overall experience, keeping players invested in the narrative from start to finish.”
“An incredible representation of Mad Max. The character development is surprisingly well done, the graphics are intensive but breathtaking, and the gameplay is incredibly engaging.”
“As one progresses through the game, character development smoothly takes over the storyline and guides the emotions and thoughts of the player.”
“The character development in this story is unfortunately lacking; while the characters are all interesting, they felt very short-lived. There wasn't much tension in this story at all, sadly. Luckily, the gameplay made up for that.”
“You are led to believe there is some character development in our main man Mad Max, but in the end, there is not in this flat character arc.”
“There is very little character development, of either Max or anyone he encounters.”
- monetization41 mentions
- 12 % positive mentions
- 27 % neutral mentions
- 61 % negative mentions
Overall, the monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players pleasantly surprised by the absence of microtransactions and additional paid content, which is often expected in movie tie-in games. While some critics label it a cash grab due to its movie association, others appreciate it as a well-crafted game that offers a complete experience without the burden of in-game purchases or excessive DLC. However, there are mentions of in-game advertising, particularly for energy drinks, which detracts from the overall experience for some players.
“But, overall a really well thought out game with a fairly good balance...and no microtransactions!”
“A really good single player game with no BS microtransactions or DLC.”
“No extra DLC, no extra microtransactions... a full, great game for a fair price.”
“This game is just the most blatant movie tie-in cash grab.”
“The free DLC turns out to be in-game advertising for an energy drink.”
“The developers were interested in a quick cash grab here.”
Critic Reviews
Mad Max GBAtemp review
An enjoyable game with a stunning world, familiar combat and interesting driving. Falls short on the story development and somewhat repetitive gameplay. Worth a shot after the slower summer days if you're waiting for some other games to release closer to the end of the year.
78%Your world is fire and blood
Mad Max might be formed from familiar parts of other games, but the car-wrecking, skull-cracking chaos it creates is a rewarding and expansive adventure.
80%Mad Max Review
While it might feel familiar to those that have played other open-world action games, Mad Max presents the universe of the films perfectly in video game form. Vehicular combat especially will please anyone looking for adrenaline fueled gameplay, but more could have been done to differentiate the experience from other titles.
80%