Mad Max PC ...open world...the new Shadows of Mordor?

Kasey Chang · Post by **Kasey Chang** » Sun Jun 18, 2017 10:31 pm

Got Jeet's all the way down to Threat level 1.

Got to work on Gutgash's area.

----

Got a convoy in Gutgash's area and nabbed the "Talon"

Got the "visit the tunnels" missions (from Hope, and from Gutgash, AND I got the one from Jeet that got me the Thunderpoon).

I decreased my res and like doubled the frame rate. And also made combat a little harder.

Too many bad guys come at me at once. Should divide and conquer, probably.

Finally, a weapon that can really do some damage to cars.

KDH · Post by **KDH** » Mon Jun 19, 2017 9:26 am

the thunderpoon is a lot of fun

Kasey Chang · Post by **Kasey Chang** » Mon Jun 19, 2017 11:26 pm

Well, takes more than one to kill a car is kinda letdown, but 8 is enough to deal with all the escorts and AND the convoy truck itself.

The thunderpoon thrower was a nasty surprise.

And yes, I blasted my way through the Maw so I can get through the Gastown. But I think I'll play Gutgash's place a bit more first.

I was so comfy, I decided to clean out Jeet's territory and I'm almost there. All convoys, all camps, all totem poles, all sniper nests.

Also went through the Eastern tunnel and got the train car out. Didn't get all the loot, but that's expected, right? Will have to go through again.

My favorite way of clearing out a camp was to stay outside and snipe at everything (esp. molotov towers, fuel tanks, war criers, snipers) I can see. Drive around a bit and repeat. Once I got everybody I can see, THEN I head in and try to find any more perimeter defenses and bust down the gate and work my way up.

I am having a little problem finding all the scraps and whatnot though, often I ended up missing 1-2. Probably have to consult a guide. Hahaha.

KDH · Post by **KDH** » Tue Jun 20, 2017 7:00 am

The first convoy I took down, I didn't know what to do with the boss-truck, I assumed I was supposed to drive it back to camp, so I did, and was a bit surprised when the game didn't acknowledge my deed ..

oh .. and .. during the heavy storms there are 3 mega-loot crates blowing around .. they have a special icon on the minimap .. and sometime you can find them, after the dust settles, within range of whatever camp you holed-up in to ride the storm out ... if you brave the storm to get them you'll have to use your harpoon to lasso them

If I remember correctly, there is 3 or 4 loads of 25 in each crate .. then multiplied by your loot-multiplier tech .. equals about 400

killbot737 · Post by **killbot737** » Tue Jun 20, 2017 5:16 pm

If you hurry you can get more than 3 crates during a storm. If you get the 3 and drive around some more another group might appear. It's also fun to fight the warboys during the storms, they are oblivious to them so you can set them up for lightning strikes and getting clobbered by flying debris.

At least once I encountered a storm without the storm. I got the alert, and the lightning was hitting all around me but it was clear as day. No wind and dust to be found.

Kasey Chang · Post by **Kasey Chang** » Thu Jun 22, 2017 2:39 am

I managed to nab one storm crate, but it's mostly luck as I got attacked by two enemy vehicles during the storm. Had to hit them. They got off and came after me on foot, in the storm. I killed them and use their vehicle as shelter, and after all that there was ONE storm crate left. That got me all the way up to 1500 scrap. Spent it all on various upgrades.

Found another scrapulance in enemy camp. Got it delivered.

Took down another convoy. I'm now 53% hood decoration complete. Gutgash's territory is now down to 4 and soon it'll be 3. I'm going after the sulfur first, then Gutgash's "sea icon" quest. I really need those refills at Gutgashes rather than at Jeet's.

Daehawk · Post by **Daehawk** » Thu Jun 22, 2017 4:30 am

Gas refills? You can get those at the races too once you win.

KDH · Post by **KDH** » Thu Jun 22, 2017 6:28 am

the need to do the replenishment tech at all of the safehouses was a real design faux pas .. most complaints I heard, namely my own since I'm close enough to hear myself .. centered around the busy work

Kasey Chang · Post by **Kasey Chang** » Thu Jun 22, 2017 11:31 am

Daehawk wrote:Gas refills? You can get those at the races too once you win.

I don't need it. I find plenty of gas and I can always fast travel to Jeet's THEN to Gutgash's just for refill. It just happens to be the part I found first for GG.

Kasey Chang · Post by **Kasey Chang** » Thu Jun 22, 2017 12:03 pm

Found a salvage location in Gutgash's place, I think it's southeast. It's on side of a hill, one tight access, covered by like 6 bear traps. No way through safely. I've tried explosion, I've tried shotgun, nothing sets off those traps, and there are enough of them I can't make it through. There's this "chain" strung across the little 'canyon". Four guys inside. I already killed them (sniper rifle) but I don't know how to get in. I've checked all around the hill, no alternate access that are obvious. I've gotten up to one side of the rock, but can't reach the top. Other side is almost a sheer rockface. WTF?

Kasey Chang · Post by **Kasey Chang** » Thu Jun 22, 2017 4:17 pm

Another problem, also in Gutgash. In the territory between Gutgash and Jeet, I think it's called Grit Canyons. I can't get to the balloon. I can see the climb-on point, but it's covered behind some debris that I can't remove. The door next to it I destroyed, but there was nothing else I can do if I can't climb any higher. I've tried explosives (thunderpoon and gas can), nothing.

Got the sulfur and other stuff covered. Now I have to find that sea icon for Gutgash...

Speaking of which... Getting that subway car out of the tunnels for Gutgash left a couple loot spots inaccessible. There was one in a bad subway car, which I can't jump into or out of. WTF? I only got like 7 out of 12 loots.

Daehawk · Post by **Daehawk** » Thu Jun 22, 2017 7:46 pm

I always found a way to a spot all but one time. I gave up on that spot. I found the way in or up would be through a cave, or on the other side, or somewhere. Some of them were maddening.

Kasey Chang · Post by **Kasey Chang** » Fri Jun 23, 2017 6:33 am

Gutgash is down to threat level 2, on the way to 1. Need to take out a couple more totem poles, and a couple more camps. Took out all the convoys in the area. Camps are now difficulty level 3 or 4, but Max is upgraded to 80%-90%.

Not heading through the Maw just yet. Want to finish most things on this side first. I have a feeling I'm not ready for thunderstick throwers, as I can't snipe them like I can with molotov sling towers. I basically ram the ones next to the Maw. And I want the other body styles.

Daehawk · Post by **Daehawk** » Fri Jun 23, 2017 7:05 am

I used the one thats most like the movie car the entire game. I did change colors a lot. For the last 3rd of the game I used the mirror like chrome finish.

KDH · Post by **KDH** » Fri Jun 23, 2017 7:28 am

whenever possible, while attacking a camp, I would carry a gas can or one of those portable thunderpoon sticks .. that way, when you come around a corner, and there is 6-8 guys there you can try to target a group .. hopefully before they throw something at you and knock a lit gas can out of your hand

Kasey Chang · Post by **Kasey Chang** » Fri Jun 23, 2017 1:55 pm

Gutgash's territory is down to 1.2 or 1.3, almost to 1. Just need to take out a couple more camps.

Found the problem with the vantage point / balloon in Grit Canyon. I need to do a "step up" (left trigger) to reach the climb point from the INSIDE. The outside one was a decoy. ARGH. That means the one in the subway car back in the tunnels is also reachable.

Kasey Chang · Post by **Kasey Chang** » Sat Jun 24, 2017 2:19 am

Took out two more camps in Gutgash's territory, leaving just two transfer camps.

Rim Jobbie top dog was pretty lame as a boss, maybe it's because I've upgraded Max to near 100%. He's got every skill, and all upgrades except two things. I went up to him, and basically ducked as he swung, and went back and just started beating him, with weapon or without. With weapon was a lot faster, so that's what I did. Didn't even last a minute.

Found two more car bodies, and Gutgash is now is missing water, cleanup, maggot, and stockpile, while Jeet's is missing just the stockpile. The only goal in Jeet's is minefield. All convoys and all but 3 camps in Gutgash had been cleaned out. There are no more totem/scarecrow left this side of the maw, same with snipers.

Is there a way to "snipe" the thunderstick towers like you can do to the molotov towers? Or do I have to just drive up to it and shoot the thunderpoon at it?

killbot737 · Post by **killbot737** » Sat Jun 24, 2017 7:58 am

I generally used the regular harpoon on the non-sniper towers. Or I ended up ramming into them instead because I suck at driving.

It's fun to come running up next to a tower, hook it and then boost away. The metal crunching sound is very satisfying.

Kasey Chang · Post by **Kasey Chang** » Sat Jun 24, 2017 2:02 pm

Okay, all camps are now history, in Jeet's and Gutgash's. I'm down to project building and mine-sweeping, and death runs. I haven't done one of those yet.

It's kinda funny. While I was sweeping the camp two Roadkill cars just drove up to the entrance and parked next to the Magnum Opus as I finished and walked out of the camp I started punching out the drivers. Then realized these are armored variants that I don't have, so I took one back to the hideout.

I got up to 3200 scrap, then spent 2800 on two major upgrades (armor and bumpers). I guess I should head through the Maw and meet Pink Eye.

Kasey Chang · Post by **Kasey Chang** » Sat Jun 24, 2017 7:07 pm

Met Pinkeye. Actually on the way I got waylaid by a 3 vehicle raid group and my car took major damage. But they made the mistake of meeting me on foot, and I ended up with 3 pristine vehicles. I was going to take it to Pink Eye, but there's that "save Pink Eye" mission to finish first, so I never got that car.

And I got the sign for Gutgash. Maybe I need to go see the war wagon in the Northern tunnels... After I reduce the threat to 4 or 3 in Pinkeye.

Daehawk · Post by **Daehawk** » Sat Jun 24, 2017 7:20 pm

I think I may have taken 2 cars back to base then said forget it.

killbot737 · Post by **killbot737** » Sat Jun 24, 2017 7:28 pm

You can obtain certain vehicles by racing them, see Crow Dazzle for details. Some of them appear so rarely I think that's the only way I got them.

I think you might be disappointed by the rest of the game. If you're already 100% Maxed (haha) out then the fights are not going to be any more difficult than you're used to. There are still a lot of things to do, but it's a lot more of the same thing. That said, I finished my second run through the game at 100% because I've got moderate to severe completion-itis when it comes to video games. Nothing in-game was too hard to accomplish on normal difficulty. However, there were some crazy accomplishments that I knew I'd never finish. I'm not that obsessive-compulsive.

Gastown holds some surprises, though. So don't take this as a reason to stop. The journey is worth seeing through all the way to the end.

Kasey Chang · Post by **Kasey Chang** » Sun Jun 25, 2017 3:46 am

Oh, I'm not that OCD about achievements. Heck, if I go through the base twice without finding all the stuff, I say "f*** it" and leave the base alone, even if I didn't 100% it.

Pink Eye was definitely in a tough spot. Took out the camp on the bridge (went through twice, back and forth, can't find one symbol and 2 loot) Went through one of the pumping stations, the one you have to go zipline and ride an elevator back up. Also missed some loot I can't seem to locate.

Did the mine-sweeping. Turns out it wasn't that hard. Once you get close to minefield, just go 3rd person and watch the dog and go slow. Turn in the way dog indicated, and soon the mine will appear in front of you. Approach on foot to disarm. Repeat 3 times and that's about it. The trick is finding the darn minefield in the first place. I'll have to cruise the area to find them, usually by spotting the series of hulks in close proximity.

Noticed an interesting... bug? If you're in the Buggy, and you hit Fast Travel to a location, you'll arrive there in the Magnum Opus, not the vehicle you started with. Weird, eh?

Went back to Jeet's and it's time to make a new hole in the wall. Just nabbed the tanker. I kinda want those nasty grinding wheels on my Magnum Opus, so I have to finish Balefire and Grit Canyon.

Daehawk · Post by **Daehawk** » Sun Jun 25, 2017 4:46 am

The mines were the last thing I did in my game. By that time I just wanted done so I looked at maps online to get locations.

Kasey Chang · Post by **Kasey Chang** » Sun Jun 25, 2017 12:47 pm

I can build two more Archangels, but I don't like them (low armor and low ramming power? No thanks)

Got Pink Eye down to 3, and took out one convoy. Almost thought I'd have to abandon the attempt, as I used up half of my thunderpoons and car was seriously messed up, but eventually came through when after I got rid of all the escorts using all the thunderpoons. I disabled the convoy truck with my last shotgun shell and the driver decided to fight me on foot (hahaha!) I waited for MO to be repaired, then rammed the convoy truck until it exploded.

Kasey Chang · Post by **Kasey Chang** » Sun Jun 25, 2017 8:02 pm

Pink Eye is almost down to 2 (but still 3). Just got them the sail. I'm at the food quest. I also need to check out the war wagon in the Northern walls.

Jeet's is down to ZERO. Even took out three enemy vehicles while driving the Buggy. Hahahahaha!

Gutgash's is barely above 1, just need to clean out all the minefields. Will probably ignore that for now.

May be time to meet Deep Friah.

Daehawk · Post by **Daehawk** » Sun Jun 25, 2017 9:38 pm

Dont forget to talk to Obama a bit to increase skills.

Kasey Chang · Post by **Kasey Chang** » Sun Jun 25, 2017 11:51 pm

Max's skills are maxed (all attributes). So basically I'm wandering the desert taking out towers and snipers.

Accidentally discovered a Roadkill crew Top Dog. Wasn't that hard to kill him though, esp. when I'm fully equipped with shivs. Dodge his hit, run back behind him and do hard strike, then shiv attack. Repeat until dead. Same as Scrotus' top dogs.

I've been to all balloons except the Deep Friah's region. I think I'll head there next, just to check things out. Then I need practice on the Death Runs.

EDIT: Okay, all balloons visited.

Did the first death run, the barrel one. Immediately thunderpooned everybody. Lost the course at one time, barely made it under the time limit. Hahaha.

Did the first scatter run, can't find the destination on the map, went the wrong way and lost. Tried to restart the race, game froze up on loading screen.

EDIT2: Redid the race, won, racing wasn't that bad, esp. with a vehicle that has nitro. Even without, as long as I move carefully and shoot enemies occasionally I can still win.

Won 3 more Death runs. Got 3 parts for Gutgash and now his stronghold is 100% build (including stockpile).

Cleared out a couple scavenge locations, which are almost minicamps, in Deep Friah's territory. One totem pole down and threat level is down to 4. Did a couple more and threat level is now showing 2. Did an improvement for them, and for Pink Eye. Both strongholds are improved (3 projects each).

Got the missions, to turn on the gas, and to reclaim Chumbucket's stash, which means go into Gastown and underbelly.

Kasey Chang · Post by **Kasey Chang** » Tue Jun 27, 2017 4:20 am

Deep Friah is down to 1, all totems and snipers gone (except those still in camps). When scavenge locations are guarded by thunderstick throwers, you know it's a tough neighborhood.

Pink Eye is down to 2, I'm building projects and taking out camps. They are all difficulty 5/5 of course. But I don't anticipate problems as long as I take it easy.

Tempted to go to Gastown, but I have a feeling those are nasty missions that'll take a lot of time. Also wanted to visit the war rig to the west of Gastown.

EDIT: Pink Eye is down to 1, there are like 4 camps left. I think it's time to go to Gastown...

EDIT: Now there's only ONE camp left. And ONE scarecrow (the one on top of that freeway with no way to jump there... Or is it because I have a heavy car? ) I think I have to shoot Thunderpoon at it from maximum range.

It's okay, I'll go visit Gastown.

Kasey Chang · Post by **Kasey Chang** » Wed Jun 28, 2017 1:20 am

Got Gastown, visited the airport for the lights, went through the underbelly for the wrench... Took out another camp. There may be ONE camp left on the map... somewhere. I didn't look too closely. Also took out Deep Friah's nemesis, the Architect (can't do LEET spelling). I'm about the do Exodus, but I think I'll go get the racing tires first. THEN come back and do Exodus.

Kasey Chang · Post by **Kasey Chang** » Wed Jun 28, 2017 8:24 am

That Gastown race was HARD. I had to lean down the car heavily just to keep up and keep slapping Thunderpoons into the thing. AND reduced the resolution and up the framerate so I can drive properly. And I rather enjoy the twist.

I got the Demented Chariot (kinda left that for last) and I'm going after Crow Caller next.

Daehawk · Post by **Daehawk** » Wed Jun 28, 2017 11:14 pm

Ya that race was a bit brutal. Had to run it multiple times....multiple. Finally got lucky after learning the course a little bit and using thunderpoons on everyone I saw.

Kasey Chang · Post by **Kasey Chang** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 2:31 am

Finished. Wow, what an ending.

I wish for a better cutscene for the end though.

Spoiler:

According to the game, I'm only 84% complete.

But there's like dozens and dozens of salvage spots I haven't ran to, or clean up the camps I've been to... etc. etc.

EDIT: Destroyed the last camp, recovered 2 cars I don't have (including "Hardball" the racing pickup) so only a handful of cars left to collect. Now mainly doing the death races

Daehawk · Post by **Daehawk** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 2:41 am

I dont even remember that ending. I remember fighting the big bad guy. Other than seeing Hope as a prisoner on the ship then once somewhere else I dont recall her and I dont remember Glory at all.

Paingod · Post by **Paingod** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 8:46 am

Kasey Chang wrote:Finished. Wow, what an ending.

Spoiler:
Also, is the ending a bit TOO sad? Death of Hope and Glory? A bit too obviously allegorical?

When I was done with the game....

Spoiler:

Kasey Chang · Post by **Kasey Chang** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 8:53 pm

I've raced each venue at least once, and I'm missing the last V8 because that requires reducing Pink Eye's region to ZERO. Which is more trouble than it's worth.

I'm missing 4 cars, 2 Scrotus minion cars, and 2 Buzzard cars (and the Rockstar tie-in car). It seems more trouble than it's worth to race for one (there's a time bomb race that I can win it with, but it's too difficult, as the car isn't fast enough to survive nor the rear flamethrower helpful in warding off attacks once they come alongside. (I should be using the 4 shot shotgun rather than the iconic double-barrel)

I think I'm pretty much done here with the game.

killbot737 · Post by **killbot737** » Thu Jun 29, 2017 9:26 pm

Kasey Chang wrote:I think I'm pretty much done here with the game.

Spoiler:

Daehawk · Post by **Daehawk** » Fri Jun 30, 2017 2:00 am

I was a little disappointed with how Chumbucket stuck to his thinking and turned on me.

I also wanted to take the dog with me in my normal car like movie Max and have him help some way in fist fighting and such. That part bothered me more than any other part of the game.

KDH · Post by **KDH** » Fri Jun 30, 2017 4:03 am

killbot737 wrote:... (in the spoiler) Chumbucket. (that voice actor did a great job btw).

yes, he did .. I wish they had given him more lines, so there would be less repetition.

I've played thru Shadow of Mordor about three times, and there are still lines that I don't remember hearing before .. and the way the Uruks react to whether you are up, above them .. or on a caregor vs just standing there, flat-footed. (plus making reference to whether you've met before, and how that may have gone for one of you)

Kasey Chang · Post by **Kasey Chang** » Fri Jun 30, 2017 4:08 am

Well, Chum's priority was always the Magnum Opus. Max, as "the driver", was simply the means to achieve / maximize the Magnum Opus. When it comes to choosing between the MO and the driver, Chum's priority is going to be on the MO, no surprise there. Disappointing, yes, but then Chum's basically Gollum in LOTR... he's obsessed on only one thing.

Hehehe about the dog. Interesting thought, but this dog ain't no Dogmeat.