At its core, Mad Max is a game about the death of hope. It explores the struggle to find something to cling to in a bleak world filled with murder and regret, only to watch that hope turn to ash. Yet, this kernel of anguish is buried within an adventure that invites exploration, filled with moments of sheepish smiles and wide-eyed amazement as the explosive, chaotic gameplay of Max’s journey unfolds across the Wasteland.
Welcome to the Great White, a desolate stretch of the Wasteland where we find Max stripped of his car and means of escape. Fortunately, the downtrodden mechanic Chumbucket sees Max as the ordained hero of his makeshift religion, destined to help build the Magnum Opus—the greatest vehicle the Wasteland has ever known. While this premise is engaging, much of the traditional storytelling is absent until the very end. Although I connected with Max’s journey, I wish more of it had been woven throughout my 30-40 hour playtime. Until the climax, the striking atmosphere and the Wasteland’s grim beauty set the tone. Despite some graphical quirks and a shaky framerate, the world feels alive with personality and indifference, perhaps making it the true star of Mad Max.
The gameplay is driven by a complex system of progression that propels the experience forward. You’ll find yourself eager to complete a long list of base attributes and collect scrap, the Wasteland’s currency, to upgrade Max’s armor, weapons, tools, combat moves, and even his appearance. The same meticulous attention is given to the Magnum Opus, which you’ll build from scrap by purchasing enhancements like nitro boosters, harpoons, explosive javelins, spikes, armor, tires, and side-mounted flame cannons. You’re always earning something that directly impacts your experience, making progress feel incredibly rewarding.
There’s also an abundance of activities to engage in as you explore this violent world, leaving your mark on its scorched earth. As you wrest control of the Wasteland from its ruthless warlords, you’ll destroy their refineries, eliminate their top enforcers, burn their fuel depots, and topple their intimidating totems. While each of these tasks is enjoyable in its own right, they can start to feel repetitive as the game progresses.
Combat is a highlight of the experience, both on foot and in vehicles. Whether you’re facing the roaming warbands of the Great White or engaging in melee fights, there’s an exciting flair to the brutality of the battles. The melee combat is a visceral, brutal dance of attacks and counters, enhanced by weapons, executions, chain attacks, and Fury Mode, which turns Max into a one-man wrecking crew.
Vehicle combat is a high-speed clash of metal and is arguably the best aspect of Mad Max’s action. Ramming, sideswiping, using your harpoon to pull apart enemy vehicles, or detonating exposed fuel drums all offer creative ways to obliterate foes on the road. This is crucial, as random patrols strike swiftly, and the massive convoys that traverse the dirt roads are challenging yet rewarding to take down.
There’s so much more to discover, like collecting numerous other Wasteland vehicles, building supercar variants of the Opus, competing in death races, and gathering historical artifacts from the world that came before. Even after investing considerable time in Mad Max, I know there’s still much left to explore in the Great White.
Mad Max is a juxtaposition of exhilarating fun set against a backdrop of primal depravity. It’s a conflicting experience—a personal playground of explosive action and endless progression that I can’t wait to dive back into. It’s one hell of a ride.