GAME REVIEW: Mad Max mixes game play and features

WHEN it comes to movie tie-ins the best thing that can be said in the gaming world is that it can be a mixed bag. But, Mad Max is hell of a game. producers Avalanche has really made a fine example of how to do  tie-ins. This game means business and won't take any sh*t.

Just like the Like the titular Mad Max we already know and love.

The story follows the story of Max when he has first encountered Scrotus (yes the names do follow in this fashsion) in a fight that inevitably loses and in the process losing the semi-immortal machine 'Black on Black'.

However, that is not the end as a 'blackfinger' named Chumbucket saves Max and then helps him gain all the nessacary tools to help the wasteland and fuel his escape from it all as he wants get past the plains of scilence to something better... He hopes!

The game is packed with lots of things to do from camps ranging from tranfer pump stations holding crude oil and gussoline with other camps owned by Top Dogs (warriors Scrotus believes will be best to look over the territory he has given them).

There are many places to salvage scrap to make parts for your car and convoys the have special hood ornaments that give the car stat boosts. Needless to say there is a lot to do in Mad Max and much more to see and do than already mentioned.

This game is a technically brilliant, the combat on foot and in the car flows brilliantly with next to no problems.

The story on the otherhand is good but not brilliant but if you're not familiar with the films we'll say no more rather than spoil it... and we don't want that!

The main problem with the game is that in places it is a bit too easy for experienced gamers. The more you do things in the wasteland the more you upgrade Max and the car making it all a bit too easy. Having gone through about half the game most experienced players will have only died a few times.

Mad Max is a fun game that takes time to complete if, if you have time that is, but if you do it'll  be an enjoyable story, good gameplay and a pretty 'metal' game from a pretty 'metal' franchise!

All in all if you like open world third person shooters with absurd amounts of violence this is the game for you!

Review by Zakk T

 

LIVE REVIEW: Amon Amarth & Darkest Era - From The Viking Pit

MIGHTY Odin may have gazed with his one eye upon Belfast's Limelight1 on August 12th when the echoes of the heroic warriors spirits from Valhalla resounded like Loki's steed hooves flying across the roof of the world and Thor splitting the leaden skies with storms of metal.

The Celtic metal warriors who are Darkest Era opened up for the mighty Viking horde that are Amon Amarth - both with whirlwinds of riffs and unapologetic heavy metal.

And, what is there to apologise for when songs are so mighty, so deeply steeped in ancient oral traditions with allegorical undertows ripping the unwary from their comfort zone.

The last time I saw Darkest Era was when they opened for Wintersun and they left quite an impression then. Now, they are even coming through stronger, cohesive and cracking skulls with their pure take on the classic rock/metal of Maiden and Lizzy with melodic death metal twists.

Krum leads from the front, powering through releases new and old.  'An Ancient Fire Burns', 'The Morrigan' and 'Sorrow's Boundless Realm' all stamping all over the gathering crowd with tunefulness and rolling thunder from Cameron Ashlund-Glass' drums and Daniel O'Toole's bass.

Ade Mulgrew and Sarah Weighall lay down a superb set of inter-twined solos and rhythm parts - more evidence of why Darkest Era deserve to adorn many, many more metal fans collections.



With a relatively quick turnaround the stage was transformed to an homage to Amon Amarth's mythical landscape - replete with jagged 'rocks' and rune filled mini-monoliths.

From the opener 'Father of the Wolf' to closer 'Pursuit of Vikings' the Swedish five-piece proved that they are amongst the most exciting live bands.

It only takes a moment to suspend disbelief, plunge into the pit and soak up their tumultuous songs.

This was my first experience of being pummelled by Amarth - and I'd gladly succumb again.

It's not just that they put on a phenomenal live performance; it's not just because Johan Hegg is an engaging frontman; nor is it because they are tremendous musicians; rather it is because the sum of the parts comes together in one ominously glorious moment in time.

As a unit Amon Amarth are solid, tight and well-rounded, each playing their part. Mikkonen and Soderberg are linked by an ethereal bond as they use their six-string weapons to soar through solos, rip through rhythmic melodies and tear down any remaining inhibitions in the Limelight1

'Deceiver of Gods' and 'Cry of the Blackbirds' are majestic as Anderson (drums) and Lundstrom (bass) leaden the night as 'Guardians of Asgard' delivers as if Mjölnir had been wielded to split landscapes of Northern Ireland.

'Blood Eagle' saw the venue bathed - literally and metaphorically - in the life force of Vikings, while 'Embrace of the Endless Ocean' brought the narrative of the ocean bondsman and sailor to life.

By the time the encore of 'Twilight of The Thunder God' and 'Pursuit of Vikings' ended the crowd had responded to every exhortation of Hegg...and the very All-Father himself raised a toast to Amon Amarth and Belfast.

 

Review by Zakk
Sub-editing and additional reporting by Jonny

Photos courtesy of Darren @ Metalplanet

All rights and copyright of contributors reserved - reproduction of text and/or photographs by permission only

Ferocious foursome flay Metalfest IV with furious metal at Diamond Rock Club

Review by Zakk

WITH the boss away reviewing this for Metal-Rules.com [read it here] it has been left to me to sum up Metalfest IV on Monday 21st April at County Antrim's rock mecca, the Diamond Rock Club, Ahoghill.

Easter Monday it might have been but there was a seismic shift in the tectonic plates under Northern Ireland when four slabs of metal landed - and within were four distinct flavours of metallic ferocity.

In a slightly surreal event there were even cross-dressing bearded Easter/Playboy bunnies present...but then you had to be there to really appreciate it...if appreciation is the correct response!

Opening up proceedings were extreme metal act Altus. Propelled by Matt Cordner's roar, Altus are improving constantly on their live performances and closing duo of songs Beast and Born To Exist summing up the Altus wild ride. Some of the slower, more doom-laden tracks hint at a future sound that mixes the extreme with the atmospheric.

They where a great growling, monstrous start to a great metal night.

Under-rated, not appreciated are some of the phrases that have always sprung to mind with A Little Bitter despite their musical prowess. Their combination of powerful songs, huge melodies, metal riffage and lyrical excellence have always been something all the contributors to Belfastmetalheadsreunited have enjoyed.

For this reviewer it was the first time seeing the three-piece and they left a massive impression of just what can be achieved through hard work, great playing and super songs in a live environment.

Jonny Armstrong's guitar work soared and swooped, while Darren Pilkington's drums were an awesome aural accompaniment to Seamy Donnelly's bass work; as he used all six-strings on his instrument to provide a dynamic, while both he and Jonny used the length and breadth of their fretboards to good effect.

Whether it be Further I Crawl, Jebus, Genghis or Dark Tide the strength of each song also hides lots of subtleties as well as choruses many a so-called mainstream band would want to have in their locker.

Sinocence have really upped their game of late, and although having seen them on occasion it seems that the band have gelled to a greater degree than ever. Moro seems more confident than ever spearheading the band; and despite feedback and cable issues Anto's lead sections were coherent and concise - a sign that you can been a guitar widdler and be capable of making solos appropriate to the structure of a song.

Long Way Down is a tremendous opener, and the wealth of their material was bracketed by the closing storm of Metal Box. Highlights also included Coda and the cover of Prong's Snap You Fingers, Snap Your Neck.

The growth of Sinocence is apparent and they deserve to be atop a pile across the UK.

Stormzone have grown and developed over the past two years, with latest release Three Kings a tribute to persistence of power metal played well.

Harv's engaging presence and powerful range kept the show rolling in a set including favourites such as opener Where We Belong and Death Dealer. An impressive The Pass Loning showcased all the talent in the band, while the slower Beware in Time only served to help empahsise the stomp of Spectre. Of particular note among this excellent set of musicians was the pounding of Davey Bates on drums and Steve Moore's lead sections; both complementing the overall range of the band.

Stormzone's ongoing success should, as with all the acts on display at Metalfest IV reach a wider audience.

Derwin and all connected with the Diamond Rock Club deserve a pat in the back for putting on shows like this, and despite not packing out the room it is a sure sign that future events like this will draw more and more punters through the Ahoghill venue.

Sub-editing by Jonny