Common Sense Media Review
By Marc Saltzman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
More violent than film, adventure has fun but flawed play.
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Mad Max
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 4 parent reviews
Based on 10 kid reviews
Kids say the game offers a mix of fun exploration and a gripping narrative set in a post-apocalyptic world, but it is also notably graphic and violent, surpassing the violence depicted in the films. While some players recommend it for older teens due to its brutal combat and strong language, many appreciate the option to reduce blood effects, making it a more suitable experience for younger players if they can handle the intensity.
- violence levels
- strong language
- suitable age
- engaging gameplay
- exploration opportunity
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's It About?
Based on the iconic 1979 feature film of the same name, MAD MAX is an open-world, third-person, postapocalyptic action game. In this original story, players assume the role of "Mad" Max, whose vehicle is stolen near the start of the game by Scrotus and his gang. Max partners with a gifted mechanic, Chumbucket, to build the ultimate survival vehicle, dubbed the "Magnum Opus," and vows to even the score with Scrotus. As Max, you'll take on contracts that have you facing off against deadly tribes throughout the gritty wasteland, played on foot or while riding (and fighting) in your vehicle. After missions have been completed, you'll spend time customizing and upgrading your vehicle -- including the addition of mounted weapons and armor.
Is It Any Good?
This is a gorgeous open world to explore, take on contracts and side jobs, and upgrade your abilities over time, but there are some unfortunate gameplay issues. For example, some of the earlier missions are fun and challenging, while others are repetitive and/or seem unrelated to the story. Vehicular combat is a blast, but on-foot, hand-to-combat isn't nearly as rewarding. Plus, the difficulty level seems inconsistent; in some missions and areas, bullets and fuel are rare resources, but in other stages, it's not unusual to see fuel cans respawn in front of you. One more discrepancy: You have a big open world but can lose the game if you drive the wrong way and cross an invisible barrier. You get the idea.
For such a promising game, it's too bad these problems exist, but perhaps many of them can be ironed out with a downloadable update ("patch") for it to live up to the hype. It's not a bad game at all, but you might not want to spend $60 on it until (and if) many of these issues are addressed.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about violence in media such as that in Mad Max. What's the appeal in a game like this? Is it fun to play in a popular fictional world first seen in movie form? Is that better than a realistic shooter?
Game Details
- Platforms : PlayStation 4 , Windows , Xbox One
- Pricing structure : Paid
- Available online? : Available online
- Publisher : Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
- Release date : September 1, 2015
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Topics : Transportation ( Cars & Trucks ) , Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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