Recent reviews by Superstringy

Without a doubt the finest first-person shooter I've ever played. A sublime single-player campaign, thrilling multiplayer, and a superb wave defence game all in one package. The movement and gunplay as a Pilot is second-to-none and I feel like a giddy kid every time I get into my trusty Titan to wreak havoc. I can't recommend this enough. For what it's worth, I didn't play the first one, but you don't need to; that effectively was a tech demo proof-of-concept and this is the real jumping-off point for the franchise. Worth every penny. Get it, and I'll see you on the frontier, Pilot.

I'm quite solidly (41 hours and counting) into the Mad Max game now, and have to say this is shaping up to be my game of the year. Single player only, but it strikes a really nice balance between open-world freedom and story-based missions that keeps me coming back to it for little (or not so little) sessions.

It's third-person exploration and ranged/hand-to-hand combat, which is slick and very much in the Batman 'Arkham' mould but as soon as you get into your vehicle - which is fully upgradable and customisable - you are straight into road combat that feels exactly like the high-octane setpieces of the movies, and plays like a hybrid of FlatOut/Destruction Derby with lots and lots of impact and explosions. Following a rolling convoy along a stretch of desert road and seamlessly getting into a high-speed deathmatch with ramming, wheel spikes whilst ripping bits off (or War Boys out of) enemy rigs with the car-mounted harpoon launcher is something that doesn't get less fun with time. In fact, all the basic game mechanics are so well executed that it remains a joy to experience, and the various upgrades to your wheels and close-quarters abilities keep it fresh.

The score is beautifully understated but atmospheric, The Wasteland itself that you get to explore is vast and amazingly well designed - how you don't get bored of sand and burned-out buildings is a massive testament to the design that's gone into this. Every area seems crafted with attention to detail, from the hidden history relics detailing the personal accounts of the end of the world to the massive beached ship carcasses and industrial ruins that dot the landscape. It's all bleak, yet beautiful, and feels like one of the most well-established game universes I can think of.

It's also incredibly well-optimised, and runs super-smoothly with extra graphical fidelity - there aren't many AAA games that I can bang up everything to ultra (or Max, heh) and get 4K @ 60fps without any drops, but this engine seems to love it.

I got it for around £14 for a third-party Steam key and if I'd paid twice that I'd still be more than happy. If you fancy a single-player dabble, I recommend it wholeheartedly. Oh and get yourself a gamepad, it plays much better with one than keyboard and mouse.