Mad Max Guide: Beginner Tips and Tricks

Get a Feel for the Controls

Mad Max is out and it’s every bit as awesome as you would’ve hoped. Traversing the wasteland with only Chumbucket as your companion, bashing in skulls and driving the Magnum Opus around like the badass that you are. But, the game can be pretty difficult at times so you need to be prepared.

One of the biggest elements of the game that can (and most likely will) get in your way is the control scheme. Mad Max has some weird controls that can be pretty odd if you’re coming off of another action game. For instance, running is done with the “Right Trigger” while jumping is done with the “Left Trigger.” Want to aim? Then the “Left Bumper” is your friend. Shooting will require “Circle” on the PlayStation or “B” on the Xbox.

Your instincts will most likely tell you to do other things, but you’ll be fine with a bit of practice. Just take a few minutes to practice on some War Pups. 

When Surrounded By Stronger Vehicles, Go on Foot

This may sound counter-intuitive, but trust me on this one. When you’re in a car battle with multiple vehicles, and it doesn’t look like it’s going to go your way, get out. Mad Max may be mostly about your sweet ride, but it also has a pretty brutal combat system that can decimate opponents just as well as any vehicle. Now you may be thinking “but they’ll just run me over,” and that’s understandable, but the truth of the matter is that they won’t last as long you pay attention.

Enemy vehicles will try to seize the opportunity by ramming into your fleshy body, but they’re easy to dodge, After a try or two they will get out of their vehicles and then you can use Mad Max‘s impressive fisticuffs to deal some justice on your own terms. The AI will not take full advantage for some reason, so you may as well beat them to a bloody pulp.

You can then destroy their cars at your leisure since they can’t move without their drivers. 

Don’t Button Mash

Combat is brutal in Mad Max. Once you pick it up you may notice similarities between Mad Max and games like Batman: Arkham Knight, with the main difference being the lack of speed (and the fact that enemies die for real in Mad Max, while in Arkham Knight their deaths are secret). There is also the fact that you can’t cancel an animation, meaning that if you’re swinging there is no way you’re going to parry that incoming attack.

Instead of mashing the attack button, swing one punch at a time. As long as their isn’t too large of a delay, you’ll still continue your combo, but you’ll also be able to hit “Triangle” (“Y” on the Xbox) to block and parry when the time comes for it. Parrying isn’t instant like it is in the Arkham games, so stay vigilant for any prompts.

As long as you don’t rush you’ll be fine and back to tearing up the roads in Mad Max. 

Scavenge

The currency in Mad Max  is called scrap. Pieces of metal that are used for upgrading both the protagonist and the Magnum Opus. Obtaining the stuff is simple, it is pretty much everywhere. The only thing standing in your way is whether or not you’re going to bother picking it up.

Blew up a vehicle? There’s scrap to pick up. Infiltrating an outpost/camp? There’s scrap to pick up. Just beat the living daylights out of an entire group of enemies? There is a good chance that at least a couple of them have dropped some scrap. Before you run off be sure to pick it up .

There is always plenty of scrap lying around, so don’t miss a single bit of it. 

Take Over Key Locations

Scattered around the huge open world are key locations that can be taken over to weaken the enemy forces in Mad Max. Oil rigs, gas stations, transfer stations, garages and more are there for the taken. But there is more than just the benefit of limiting the enemy forces. After taking over these locations you will periodically receive small shipments of scrap.

At first you will only receive a small amount (around 20 scrap) but as you capture more and more locations you will receive a steady enough flow of income in Mad Max that will fund most of your upgrades for you. This comes in handy later on when the Magnum Opus upgrades hit prices over 1000 scrap. 

Invest in Water and Gas

After the first couple of missions in Mad Max you will meet a mysterious man named Griffa. This individual has the ability to imbue you with certain skills and perks in exchange for Griffa Coins (earned by completing challenges and leveling up). These skills range from damage output, to how much punishment you can take before dying.

The two most important skills to invest in are the one that allows you to get more water from sources, and the one that lets Max use less gas while driving. Water is hard to come by, and you will often find sources that don’t fill your canteen completely. Having a bonus to all water scavenging will almost always ensure a full canteen for when the going gets rough. And filling up your gas tank can be a pain. So the less you have to do so, the better. There is nothing worse than breaking down in the middle of the desert with no gas.

Also, since you’re investing in gas, keep a gallon of fuel in the back of your car at all times just in case you forgot to keep an eye on your fuel supplies.

Harpoon the World

The harpoon is seriously the greatest thing in Mad Max. It is crucial in taking down enemy defenses, as well as ripping apart cars while on the road. You can pull snipers right off of their perches, or even tear drivers out of their seats and send them flying through the air (my personal favorite thing to do).

What makes the Harpoon so great is that it is unlimited. The only thing you have to worry about is a cooldown, which is something that upgrades will help you out with. With the exception of the one hit kills by the shotgun on specific types of vehicles, the Harpoon is your absolute best weapon in the early game.

So get to know it, and make sure to tear down everything you see.

These tips will keep you up and running in the early stages of Mad Max and well through to the end. Keep them in mind as you make your way towards Gastown, and let nothing stop you from reaching your goals.