Game Review: Mad Max

With a host of items to collect and lots of enemies to slay, the open-world of Mad Max will keep players busy for a long time.

[easyreview cat1title = “Mad Max” cat1rating = “3” cat1detail = “Warner Bros. Interactive”]

Contrary to popular belief, Mad Max is not related to the movie, Mad Max: Fury Road despite being released in the same year. So if you were expecting a game based on the movie [which in itself was just one long car chase], prepare to be pleasantly surprised.

Nonetheless, you’ll still find yourself in the role of series protagonist, Max. You find yourself in the desolate wastelands partnering with Chumbucket, a mechanic obsessed with building the perfect car. You’ll destroy enemy outposts, collect parts, and punch and shoot your way through hordes of deranged lunatics in a quest for revenge against Scabrous Scrotus, a warlord who stole your car, weapons and supplies.

It’s a decent enough set up complete with a seemingly infinite number of things to do long after you’re done with the main story. With a host of items to collect and a vast expansive map to explore, Mad Max gives you more than enough to do.

But it isn’t without its shortcomings. For one, most of the missions repeat itself. They’re in a similar mould to other open-world fare such as Far Cry 4, devolving it into rote tasks. Lay waste to enemy locations, scavenge items, kill a bunch of enemies, it all becomes rather too familiar all too soon.

The game’s first few hours are problematic as well. Many of the objectives aren’t exactly clear and the game’s pacing meanders quite a bit. And while it’s high on impact what with gory combat and visceral gunplay, these moments feel few and far between at the beginning. Persist and you’ll find a more than competent open-world experience.

But in a year that’s seen Batman: Arkham Knight, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, is it enough? Not quite.  The fact is, Mad Max is merely yet another entry in a genre that’s seen way too many open-world games this year and lacks that special something to stand out from the crowd. If you’re a fan of the movies, you’ll be right at home. Everyone else, wait for a price drop.