10 Recent Failed Video Games That Became Cult Classics

10. Mad Max (2015)

2015's Mad Max is an open-world survival title developed by Avalanche Studios. Whilst not following the events of any one Mad Max film, the game clearly takes a lot of inspiration from them, with its post-apocalyptic wasteland setting. One of the first titles to emphasise vehicular combat across its open world, players are required to upgrade their rides as they battle Scabrous Scrotus' gang.

However, in an era where open-world titles dominated the market, Mad Max failed to make the splash Avalanche were hoping for.

The bulk of its mixed reception stemmed from the game's storyline, which only came to life right at the end (by which time most players had tossed it to the back of their library). The game's quests also came in for some flack, as well as a number of technical bugs that hadn't been ironed out.

Nevertheless, the game's setting and Batman Arkham-esque combat has seen Mad Max's standing with gamers begin to climb again. On the back of a possible sequel being in the works, the game saw its player count jump to its highest point since October 2021 with a peak of 2,436 players in September 2022.