Mad Max 2015

I've just started playing and I have to say this is a really good game as far as performance is concerned. That's a totally objective remark but still, it's a bit sad that these days a game that actually runs decently on a regular machine (a PC with better components than the current generation of consoles) stands out in an ocean of bad and lazy ports.

Some people have said that this game is like Shadow of Mordor with a different skin (without much in the way of parkour and no nemesis system) but I think they may be missing the point (even if the gameplay is not radically different).

Others have said that the game doesn't contribute anything new or anything that hasn't been done before. Innovation has its merits that's true but from what I've seen so far the gameplay appears to be pretty solid and that's never a bad thing.

I've read a reviewer who said the game was just using the Ubisoft formula for open world games (Far Cry, Assassin's Creed, Watch Dogs) with zones to liberate, collectibles, challenges, the whole shebang and the combat from the Batman games (and Shadow of Mordor). I guess we could add Just Cause to that list. That reviewer meant it as a bad thing whereas I view that as a great recipe for open world games (sure, it can get repetitive but that comes with the territory). In fact considering that you add the Mad Max atmosphere and cars to the formula it can only get better.

The great thing is that so far the game doesn't remind me too much of other games at least thematically. Rage was more focused on guns whereas in Mad Max you really have to keep your gun for a life and death scenario (and that makes a huge difference). The original Fallout games were loosely based on Mad Max (with a twist) but the Fallout series has evolved and while in Fallout 2 finding fuel for your car could be problematic at times finding resources was never such a concern in Fallout 3 or Fallout New Vegas.

I'm still at the very beginning of the game and I'm loving it. I would have loved if the game let us play a character that looked like Mel Gibson (I like Tom Hardy and I don't think the videogame version of Max looks terrible but I grew up with the original Mad Max movies and to me Mel Gibson is the iconic character). I would also have preferred if Max didn't speak as much as he does. Seriously, Max in the game is a real chatterbox and that's completely out of character.

Other than those few things I'm loving it so far. I will post again once I've played a little more. In the meantime I have some gasoline to collect.

I've played a little more and the game is really fun but it needs some hardcore mode in order to promote some sense of urgency. It's a bit early for me to say but I'm afraid it shares one problem with Shadow of Mordor and that's the fact that there are just so many upgrades to unlock which make the character stronger and potentially overpowered... The nemesis system in Shadow of Mordor could alleviate that thanks to the returning captains who could get stronger and stronger. I wonder how it is going to play out.

In the meantime the sense of exploration (and discovery) makes this game quite fun. What can I say, I like picking stuff up (when it's not elfroot in DAI) and looking for collectibles. Simply driving around the wasteland is a rather enjoyable experience.

EDIT: the driving is on par with most arcade driving games (which is not a bad thing, considering that simulations can be pretty taxing) but it has a cockpit view and I absolutely love that! Driving in first person view is more immersive and incredibly fun when you think about the movies and the scenes in which we get to see the action that way.

Had a look at it, didn't care much. It's like every Ubisoft open world game with an Arkham combat style. Not my cup if tea.

I can see why you like it. But I will be passing on this one.

Sure, the formula used in Mad Max can remind people of Far Cry but that's definitely not a bad thing.

Ubisoft games are usually great, they just need to keep it down with their social networking BS like with Assassin's Creed Unity (I can't tell you how glad I am the new Assassin's Creed is going to be single player only).

Watch Dogs is a criminally underrated game, it really shakes things up with the hacking games and puzzles and offers a nice alternative.

The Crew on the other hand is a joke... I don't know who could possibly think a hipster driver without a clue would be a decent protagonist.

In any case Mad Max is fun and gorgeous. The driving alone really fits the setting and the atmosphere is just perfect. I'm more than 15 hours in and I'm having more fun than I did with Shadow of Mordor (despite the similarities they really don't play in the same way, for one thing Mad Max is not about stealth).

My only concern has to do with the sheer number of upgrades and the fact that they may very well end up making the game too easy. I'm not yet at a point where I can just ignore a bunch of guys in buggies trying to run me over but I can imagine that it may get there by the end of the game.

I really like the attention to details. It's impressive. Feeding on dog food, lizards, worms or simply rats is a nice touch.

Stopping a bunch of war boyz from running you over before taking off with their own armoured car and crushing them under your wheels or watching them losing control of their vehicles is incredibly fun.

Took down my first boss (I know, I took my time) and it was awesome.

People say the fighting is similar to the Batman games but it feels much more brutal and visceral. In comparison Batman looks like a dancer, dodging gracefully, jumping around with all those combos whereas Max feels like a brawler, keeping the punches coming until he is the last one standing, battered and bruised but still standing.

I've played 18 hours and I'm not done with the first area yet. I don't understand how people can rush through this game considering that the real fun part is the journey, not actually getting there (pretty much like Mad Max in the movies who is always giving chase or running away but never reaching his destination).