Summary
- The 2015 Mad Max game was well-received for its faithfulness to the IP's setting and combat mechanics, but criticized for its style of open-world template.
- The game's connection to Mad Max: Fury Road added depth, but its narrative was considered a weak point.
- A sequel or spin-off game could build on the original's foundations to deliver another immersive Mad Max experience.
The Mad Max franchise is a progenitor of the ravaged, arid wasteland and scavenger tribe society iconography that countless pop culture media, and perhaps especially videogames, have referenced, invoked, and paid homage to since the original 1979 film. Mad Max's depiction of a post-apocalyptic culture is etched into the DNA of innumerable works produced in its wake. After decades of starts and stops, the fourth cinematic installment, Mad Max: Fury Road, debuted in summer 2015. Developer Avalanche Studios, most well-known for its own high-octane series, Just Cause, had been tapped to make a Mad Max game set to release in 2014, but that ended up launching a few months after the film.
In May 2024, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga burst into theaters to good reception, and continued the adventures of the titular character through the setting's unforgiving scorched landscape. It was also confirmed that Furiosa has made the events of Avalanche's game canon to the greater world. Riding high on the positive hype and reception of the film, there have recently been rumblings of a possible new game, which opens up a trove of potential based on the core components of the 2015 title.
Mad Max creator and director, George Miller, and Avalanche Studios co-founder, Christofer Sundberg, shared a not-so-friendly exchange over the quality and direction of Mad Max 2015 via social media.
Furiosa Making Avalanche’s Mad Max Canon is a Case for a Sequel
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga reportedly makes the 2015 Mad Max game canon and that might make a fair excuse for Avalanche to develop a sequel or spin-off.
The 2015 Mad Max Game Was a Diamond in the Rough That Could be Polished to a Sheen
Mad Max 2015's Narrative and Open World Design
With Mostly Positive Steam ratings and a 7.9 user Metacritic score, 2015's Mad Max is often described now as something of a hidden gem, largely overlooked and overshadowed by the buzz and reception of Fury Road, as well as other competing titles that were released around the same time. Though its story connected to events that occurred in Fury Road in clever and interesting ways, showing off previous characters and introducing new ones to add layers of lore, this was also generally thought to be its weakest element. In stark contrast, the game's standout look and feel of exploring and surviving in its accurate representation of the IP's iconic dust-choked world was highly praised.
Another crucial component was the one-two combination of its crunchy combat design. Mad Max's fighting took its structural cues from Batman: Arkham mechanics, though streamlined compared to some of the complexities in the latter. However, it again captured the brutal, merciless nature and savagery defined by the movies, and was immersive and fun to engage with. But Avalanche's secret ingredient for the Mad Max game was its vehicular combat and customization. Roaring down the battered roads while fending off raiders in a personalized car was as close to the spirit of playing a Max game than had been seen before.
Probably what divided fans most was Mad Max's use of what has colloquially been dubbed the "Ubisoft open world formula," something that had been earning a stigmatized reputation even back then, and has been increasingly prevalent since. Mad Max's quests and activities resembled many familiar loops and designs that were admittedly becoming less embraced, but all of which were tailored to be believably in keeping with the nature of the world and characters.
A Sequel or Followup to Mad Max 2015 Could Build on its Solid Foundations
Design philosophies and industry trends have obviously shifted since 2015, and what worked well in the past may likely be tough to pull off in the current climate. However, many of the nuts and bolts of the Mad Max game were soundly constructed, and resulted in one of the most satisfying games honoring its source material. The overall vision could be updated or adjusted with a modern eye to create a compelling experience for the current or even next generation.
If a direct sequel isn't in the cards, other options might be an MMO/RPG, with players cast in the role of a minor, or at least previously unknown character, perhaps being able to create custom Mad Max avatars and engage in the world with others doing the same. While this is arguably a more daunting endeavor than a third-person single-player title, it could still use Mad Max 2015 as a general jumping off point. In any case, should a new project materialize, there's a lot in place from the previous entry for it to work with and iterate on to deliver another punchy Mad Max game.
Mad Max
- Released
- September 1, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
Avalanche Studios and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment bring you an action-adventure game set in the universe of the Mad Max franchise created by George Miller.
Become Mad Max, the lone warrior in a savage post-apocalyptic world where cars are the key to survival. In this action-packed, open world, third person action game, you must fight to stay alive in The Wasteland, using brutal on-ground and vehicular against vicious gangs of bandits.
A reluctant hero with an instinct for survival, Max wants nothing more than to leave the madness behind and find solace in the storied “Plains of Silence.” Players are challenged with treacherous missions as they scavenge the dangerous landscape for supplies to build the ultimate combat vehicle.
In this action-packed, open world, third person action game, you must fight to stay alive in The Wasteland, using brutal on-ground and vehicular against vicious gangs of bandits. Cars are the key to survival.
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, Use of Drugs
- Developer(s)
- Avalanche Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Warner Bros. Games
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure, Open-World
- How Long To Beat
- 20 Hours
- Metascore
- 73
