The wasteland is a pretty big place, so how long does it take for Mad Max to conquer it? It unlikely anybody working on the original Mad Max knew what a runaway success it would be. This low budget action movie was directed by George Miller, a former doctor, and followed the title character as he seeks revenge on the biker gang that killed his family. The movie became an instant cult hit and made a star out of Mel Gibson (Lethal Weapon). The budget and scope increasing dramatically for Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior, where Max reluctantly defends a small outpost from attack.
Mad Max 2 is arguably the most iconic of the franchise, from its still breathtaking car chases and even its fashion, which influenced everything from the Fallout series to Duran Duran’s video for “Wild Boys.” Miller would co-direct 1985’s Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome, which outside of Tina Turner’s villain and the fight in the titular dome is considered the weakest of the series. It would take 30 years for the character to return for Mad Max: Fury Road, which spent a long time in development hell. The fourth movie was acclaimed upon release for its non-stop action, performances, and Miller’s taut direction, and is considered one of the defining films of the decade.
Mad Max from 2015 wasn’t the first game based on the series, but it’s certainly the best. The simple premise finds Max left for dead after his car is stolen, so he has to dust himself off and take revenge while building a new car. Mad Max was developed by Avalanche Studios, the same team behind the Just Cause series, and is a mix of open-world car chases with some Batman: Arkham Asylum style combat. The game gives players quite a lot to see and do, and according to How Long To Beat, it should take around 20 hours for players just to complete the main story.
Of course, for players who like to explore every nook and cranny of Mad Max, that number is almost doubled at 38 hours. The Mad Max game is a hefty meal, just like the Just Cause series before it. While the game could use more variety in location and fewer side quests and grinding, both the car combat and exploration are a lot of fun, and it really captures the feel of the franchise.
For Mad Max fans with some time to spare, Avalanche Studios’ game is worth the investment. George Miller confirmed in December 2019 that the next sequel, currently dubbed Mad Max: The Wasteland, should be coming after his next project Three Thousand Years of Longing.
Next: Mad Max: The Wasteland Delay Explained - Why The Fury Road Sequel Is Taking So Long
