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Peter_mark84 (59 KP) rated the PlayStation 4 version of Mad Max in Video Games

Jun 30, 2019

Mad Max

2015 | Action/Adventure

7.8

(9 Ratings)

Video Game Rating

Vast open world (3 more)

Nice mechanic of watching fuel level

Good melee combat

Investing tasks

Not many 'missions' (2 more)

Map can flee bland due to setting

Not the most compelling story

Mad To The Max

You start the game, dealing with Scrotus and his forces. This is mostly cinematic but gets you ready for the game. You wake up after being thrown from Scrotus' wagon. Chum-bucket, a slightly unhinged mechanic and side kick helps you. Early on you learn thr iconic Ford Interceptor from the films has been broken into scrap. You seek to rid the land of Scrotus' influence.

The gameplay is really interesting, allowing you to customise the car to how you like. What ever your preference of car design you will find this available. To get main missions you have to lower the 'Threat Level' of Scrotus' forces. This is done by clearing outposts, minefields and destroying Markers (Scarecrows).

As you do more upgrades for weapons and car parts become available. The story lacks as it is purely about taking down the bad guys and does not give much investment. However it is really fun, driving round taking down the bad guys.

The weapons are fun, and once you unlock the Thunderpoon, tougher enemies are beaten easy.

If you like driving games, Mad Max and games where progression of the game is purely on the player than this is for you.

However if you are interested in games with much more weight to the story or compelling missions. Then you will not enjoy this as much.

Personally I love the gameplay and way the game progresses. It is the sort of game that while being open world you can invest a small amount of time in and get loads done.

Kudos

Phil Leader (619 KP) rated The Chimera Vector (The Fifth Column #1) in Books

Nov 11, 2019

The Chimera Vector is a fast, brutal and engaging techno thriller. Sophia is an operative for the secretive Fifth Column, a network not related to any government that seeks to eliminate terrorists and corrupt governments.

When the extraction from a mission goes wrong, Sonia questions their real motives. Just whose side are they one? And which side is she on?

The questions of motives and who is working for who runs through the book with many double and even triple (and more) crosses happening. This really does keep the reader on their toes. Because everything is filtered through Sophia's perception it's never clear who can really be trusted - if anyone - it is only clear who Sophia trusts as the story moves on.

This moves at some pace too, with some terrific set pieces across the world. The momentum only increases as once the stakes are revealed the second half of the book is essentially one long action sequence which puts any Hollywood blockbuster to shame. The only other author I can really compare this too is Matthew Reilly, it is just as fast and fun.

Obviously there is a fair amount of suspension of disbelief expected on the part of the reader but the idea of a shadowy organisation carefully orchestrating what happens in the world is a compelling one. It also tends to sound like an arms catalogue at times - every gun and piece of combat equipment is described in detail. And I did get quite overwhelmed with the word 'flashbang' at points.

If you are looking for something that's fast paced, engaging without being too involving, clever without being smug about it and a plot that will keep you guessing, you can't go far wrong with this.

Kudos

LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Assassin's Creed (2016) in Movies

Nov 12, 2019 (Updated Nov 12, 2019)

Nahhhh

Assassin's Creed is a series of (mostly) decent games that I personally enjoy. It's got a simple yet solid premise that has a story running in a select time in history, whilst simultaneously having another story running in modern day. It's full of parkour action, and flashy combat, and lends itself nicely to a movie adaption format?
So just how on Earth is said movie adaption so damn forgettable?

It's got a strong cast - Michael Fassbender, Marion Cotillard, Brendan Gleeson, Jeremy Irons - all fantastic actors, and all completely wasted in a boring story, and boring script.
A huge part is the issue, is perhaps that a lot of the film is stuck in the modern day setting - there's only so much of Fassbender becoming unhinged whilst strapped to the (admittedly pretty neat re designed) Animus.
The parts set in the past (taking place in the 15th Century Granada War) is much more fun. It's here that the movie looks and feels like the beloved game series, and I like that the writers set it in a period we haven't yet seen in the games.
The costume design and setting looks great.
The action set pieces we get here are entertaining, even if they are sometimes hidden between quick cut style camera work.
But it's all a bit light on this side of things.

Assassin's Creed isn't an all out awful film, it's just a bit of a non event, lacking in excitement and proving to be mostly forgettable, leaving me with little desire to rewatch.
It's a shame - if Assassin's Creed can't be adapted well, then I have little hope left for anything video game related (Once again, except Detective Pikachu goddamn it)