History YMMV / MadWorld

* AcceptableTargets: [=Deathwatch=] takes a lot of inspiration from Nazis and there are some nazi connotations found in the game (ranging from Twirlenkiller's Nazi uniform, Big Bull Crocker's jacket, to Black Baron's name being in reference to Michael Wittmann, an infamous German Waffen-SS tank commander). Each of whom are killed brutally by Jack as both the audience and commentators cheer him on as he executes them.

** [[spoiler:The revelation that the Black Baron [[BlackFace isn't actually black]]. Surprisingly, it comes off as less racist and more over-the-top like the rest of the game. Made even funnier by the fact that his voice actor, Reno Wilson, [[{{Irony}} is a black guy himself]].]]

* MoralEventHorizon: Noa crossed it in the game's intro, cutting off Jefferson Island from the outside world, releasing a virus into the city and making people kill each other for the cure, all so he could set up a massive Death Watch arena to make money off of it.

** Death Blade's [[OneHitKO insta-kill]] Power Struggle, anyone? He basically has the zombie {{mooks}} hold you in place while he dramatically rises from an abyss to slice your sorry head off (or bisect you, whichever way works). And you have very, ''very'' little time to shove the zombie into his body before that happens. No wonder he wasn't allowed into the Tower.

** The Castle's Courtyard. The layout is fairly easy, and the regular enemies are too. However, the miniboss is incredibly frustrating with an instant kill attack, which the regular enemies hold you in place for. The EliteMooks are the same gardeners as in the dungeon, and the boss has a frustrating attack that could best be described as a werewolf circular saw of pain.

* HilariousInHindsight: Kojack's appearance is strikingly similar to Big Boss in ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolidVThePhantomPain'', and he even possesses a bionic arm, much like he does. [[spoiler:His resemblance to Venom Snake is even more hilarious, considering that Venom Snake is actually a clone produced through plastic surgery and hypnotherapy, much like how Kojack is a clone of Jack himself.]]

* DoNotDoThisCoolThing: The game itself was supposed to deconstruct power fantasies and how horrifying it would really be. It shows how messed up it is to be in a situation where you have to fight and gruesomely kill people for the amusement of a psychotic crowd. Instead, the game makes it very entertaining to kill others and the anti-violence message is lost among the body count.

** [[CorruptCorporateExecutive Noa]] is the CEO of [=DeathWatch=], and [[spoiler:Leo Fallmont's [[TheDragon second-in-command]]]]. Cutting off all access to roads and technology in Jefferson Island, Noa unleashes a deadly virus that will kill everyone within 24 hours, promising a vaccine to those who kill--even suggesting starting with family members and neighbors--with the last one standing winning $100 million. Turning the [[GladiatorGames DeathWatch games]]--having previously been created for nations to engage in less bloody wars--into a violent reality show where the wealthy bid on contestants, Noa reaps most of the profits for himself, doing whatever he can to keep sponsors funding the games.

* WTHCastingAgency: Creator/JohnDiMaggio one could understand as he loves doing voice over roles like this. But ''Greg Proops?!'' How the heck did SEGA swing him into this? Then again, if you've heard his actual stand up.....

** It also makes for a good ''Film/TheRunningMan'' game, complete with a satirical tone that deconstructs the concept of reality TV in the form of a deadly game show.

** Given the black-and-white art-style, CrapsackWorld setting, over-the-top violence, scantily-claed women and AntiHero protagonist, this is the closest anyone will get to a video game adaptation of Creator/FrankMiller's ''ComicBook/SinCity''.

** [[CorruptCorporateExecutive Noa]] is the CEO of [=DeathWatch=], and [[spoiler:Leo Fallmont]]'s [[TheDragon second-in-command]]. Cutting off all access to roads and technology in Jefferson Island, Noa unleashes a deadly virus that will kill everyone within 24 hours, promising a vaccine to those who kill--even suggesting starting with family members and neighbors--with the last one standing winning $100 million. Turning the [[GladiatorGames DeathWatch games]]--having previously been created for nations to engage in less bloody wars--into a violent reality show where the wealthy bid on contestants, Noa reaps most of the profits for himself, doing whatever he can to keep sponsors funding the games.

** [=RinRin=]'s death scene, in which she is bitten in half by an animatronic.

* The wheel attack utilized by The Shamans, which has a large hitbox that makes it tough to avoid, [[HitboxDissonance even when you think you're in the clear]].

** [[WolfpackBoss The Shamans]] aren't regarded very warmly either. The fact that the Alpha [[FlunkyBoss bum-rushes you with smaller]] {{mook}}s is bad enough, but the Power Struggle is really quite difficult to pull off, with Jack more often than not getting hit because of it. And that's not detailing the Werewolf-wheel that can miss you completely and '''[[HitboxDissonance still hit you]]'''.

* ThatOneAttack: Death Blade's [[OneHitKO insta-kill]] Power Struggle, anyone? He basically has the zombie {{mooks}} hold you in place while he dramatically rises from an abyss to slice your sorry head off (or bisect you, whichever way works). And you have very, ''very'' little time to shove the zombie into his body before that happens. No wonder he wasn't allowed into the Tower.
* As mentioned below in ThatOneBoss, the wheel attack utilized by The Shamans, which has a large hitbox that makes it tough to avoid, [[HitboxDissonance even when you think you're in the clear]].

** [[CorruptCorporateExecutive Noa]] is the CEO of [=DeathWatch=], and [[spoiler:Leo Fallmont]]'s [[TheDragon second-in-command]]. Cutting off all access to roads and technology in Jefferson Island, Noa unleashes a deadly virus that will kill everyone within 24 hours, promising a vaccine to those who kill-- even suggesting starting with family members and neighbors--with the last one standing winning $100 million. Turning the [[GladiatorGames DeathWatch games]]--having previously been created for nations to engage in less bloody wars--into a violent reality show where the wealthy bid on contestants, Noa reaps most of the profits for himself, doing whatever he can to keep sponsors funding the games.
** [[spoiler:Leonardo "Leo" Fallmont, first seen as a random survivor]], is [[TheManBehindTheMan the true villain of the game]], the creator of the deadly virus, and the aforementioned Noa's {{b|igBad}}oss. Following his father's pharmaceutical company going bankrupt after the last presidential election, he and his father decide to [[SyntheticPlague create a virus]] in order to sell a vaccine. Partnering with Noa to spread the virus across Jefferson Island, before ultimately [[spoiler:killing Noa]] to cover his tracks, he plans on using [=DeathWatch=] as a way to spread publicity about the vaccine, blackmailing various countries with his virus unless they buy it, while also participating in the games for the thrill of killing.

** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4InIiRDnhLA Death and Honor]], which multiplies the awesomeness of the boss fights it plays over. It fits especially well for the [[MirrorBoss Kojack]] battle.

** [[spoiler:Leonardo "Leo" Fallmont, first seen as a random survivor]], is [[TheManBehindTheMan the true villain of the game]], the creator of the deadly virus, and the aforementioned Noa's [[BigBad boss]]. Following his father's pharmaceutical company going bankrupt after the last presidential election, he and his father decide to [[SyntheticPlague create a virus]] in order to sell a vaccine. Partnering with Noa to spread the virus across Jefferson Island, before ultimately [[spoiler:killing Noa]] to cover his tracks, he plans on using [=DeathWatch=] as a way to spread publicity about the vaccine, blackmailing various countries with his virus unless they buy it, while also participating in the games for the thrill of killing.

** [[ThoseWackyNazis Von TwirlenKiller]] is one of most well liked bosses in the game partially due to his cool design and abilities during his fight.
* HilariousInHindsight: Kojack's appearance is strikingly similar to Big Boss in Metal Gear Solid V, and he even possesses a bionic arm, much like he does. [[spoiler: His resemblance to Venom Snake is even more hilarious, considering that Venom Snake is actually a clone produced through plastic surgery and hypnotherapy, much like how Kojack is a clone of Jack himself.]]

** The mooks scream in agony when you shock them to death or impale them.
** [=RinRin=]'s death scene, in which she is bitten in half by an animatronic.
** The 2nd boss in Asiantown (the Shogun) suddenly busts through a rice paper screen with a chainsaw Naginata.
** The death of Jude the Dude. Take his giant revolvers, shoot him until only his skeleton is left standing, then finish him with a single shot. He lets out a single scream despite having no vocal cords at this point.
** The scene depicting the start of the Death Watch game is not PlayedForLaughs. After Jefferson Island is cut off from the outside world, an airborne virus is spread across the populace, causing some victims to start vomiting blood. The terrorists then instruct the infected to start murdering each other as part of their "game", with the cure being delivered only to those who racked up the biggest body counts.

** [[FrankensteinsMonster Frank]] garners more message board complaints than any other boss in the game, by far. The timing for dodging his moves and counterattacking is tricky to get down, and he can also regain health at least twice (once after each [[PressXToNotDie Power Struggle]]) and more than that if the player takes too long to kill him. It's possible to attack while he's recovering to prevent too much progress from being lost, albeit at the expense of vulnerability to his [[ShockAndAwe electrical attacks]] when he finishes.
** The Shamans aren't regarded very warmly either. The fact that the Alpha [[FlunkyBoss bum-rushes you with smaller]] [[{{Mook}} mooks]] is bad enough, but the Power Struggle is really quite difficult to pull off, with Jack more often than not getting hit because of it. And that's not detailing the Werewolf-wheel that can miss you completely and '''[[HitboxDissonance still hit you]]'''.

* ThisIsYourPremiseOnDrugs: The game takes the violent gameplay and BlackHumour from ''VideoGame/NoMoreHeroes'' and mixes it with the black and white artstyle from ''ComicBook/SinCity'' and the dystopian plot of ''Film/TheRunningMan'', creating a universe that is as wacky and surreal as it is disturbing.
* UnintentionallyUnsympathetic: Jack Cayman, as a lot of the ways he can kill enemies seem just plain inhumane, like shoving five poles into them, then beating them up to the point of near death, then finishing them off by violently swinging them around and tossing them into a meat grinder while they're barely alive as an example. It doesn't help that the worst that the enemies do is turn Jack into {{LudicrousGibs}}, and that Jack shows no remorse for his actions, plus some of the finishers for the boss characters, can come across as giving them humiliating and cruel deaths for no reason.

* ThisIsYourPremiseOnDrugs: The game takes the violent gameplay and BlackHumour from ''VideoGame/NoMoreHeroes'' and mixes it with the black and white artstyle from ''VideoGame/SinCity'' and the dystopian plot of ''Film/TheRunningMan'', creating a universe that is as wacky and surreal as it is disturbing.

* ThisIsYourPremiseOnDrugs:
** It is basically what happened after ''VideoGame/NoMoreHeroes'' went to work out so only the humor and the actual stages were left, consuming steroids and testosterone (ground up and injected directly into the folds of the scrotum)...\\
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Then it had an orgy with ''VideoGame/SinCity'', ''VideoGame/{{Manhunt}}'', and ''Film/BattleRoyale'' while having a huge dose of speed, ecstasy, and LSD (also [[RunningGag ground up and injected directly into the folds of the scrotum]]).
** Or, as it sometimes gets called, ''Film/TheRunningMan: Sin City Edition''.
** ''The Running Man'' meets ''Sin City'' meets ''Series/MysteryScienceTheater3000''.

** Some of the more graphic stuff may leave a bad taste in your mouth, like the way you finish off Frank.
** The sound that mooks make when you shock them to death or impale them.
** [=RinRin=]'s death scene can be viewed as this, just because of how genuinely & unnecessaryily cruel it can be to some viewers.
** The 2nd boss in Asiantown (the Shogun), who busts through a rice paper screen with a chainsaw Naginata. Yikes.

** The scene depicting the start of the Death Watch game. It's not PlayedForLaughs.

* ThatOneBoss: [[FrankensteinsMonster Frank]] garners more message board complaints than any other boss in the game, by far. The timing for dodging his moves and counterattacking is tricky to get down, and he can also regain health at least twice (once after each [[PressXToNotDie Power Struggle]]) and more than that if the player takes too long to kill him. It's possible to attack while he's recovering to prevent too much progress from being lost, albeit at the expense of vulnerability to his [[ShockAndAwe electrical attacks]] when he finishes.

** Then there's the level immediately before that one. The layout is fairly easy, and the regular enemies are too. However, the miniboss is incredibly frustrating with an instant kill attack, which the regular enemies hold you in place for. The EliteMooks are the same gardeners as in the dungeon, and the boss has a frustrating attack that could best be described as a werewolf circular saw of pain.

* CrossesTheLineTwice: It crosses the damn line so many times it's been ''rubbed out''. And covered over with bloodstains.
-->'''The Black Baron:''' Y'all know who I am...that's right, the bishop of blood and carnage, the Black Baron!\\
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Now, back to this baby. You just toss a muthafucka into this here jet engine and accelerate that ass into the danger zone at thirty thousand G's!\\
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...hey, what's goin' on baby? Can't you see I'm...hey, hey, HEY! What'chu doin? I'm talking to the people! I'm trying to break it...ahh, aaaah! Bitch, I'mma pimp smack yo' ass when I get outta...oh, no no no no NO!\\
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''(cue sound of body being sliced into mince by a jet engine)''
** Magazine/NintendoPower described this game as "not only crossing the line twice, but cuts the line in half, sets it on fire, and throws it out the window."
** Name something the commentators say. It's probably this. Example!
-->'''Kreese''': I can tell you from experience that those Happy Pills work even better if you grind them up and inject them into the folds of your ''scrotum.''
-->'''Howard''': I'll give you a dollar if you can tell me one thing that isn't better if you grind it up and inject it into the folds of your scrotum.
-->'''Kreese''': Haha, you got me!
* EnsembleDarkhorse: The announcers are some of the most popular characters in the game [[SugarWiki/FunnyMoments for a good reason]]!

* MemeticMutation: Ninjas are distracted by pirate hats.
** "Awesome rack on her though!" "Aww true dat!"
** "NOBODY SAID THERE'D BE MATH!"

* SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic: Mad World is one of the few games with a (indie!!) hip-hop soundtrack. It is really good. The whole soundtrack qualifies, really - ''even the song that you only hear for about 15 seconds in-game.''
** The final boss battle features Sick YG's ''"Look Pimpin!".'' The track is a smooth and upbeat hip-hop "boast song", which switches to Ox's "So Cold" midway, keeping the same style, albeit somewhat more intense. Both are a welcome aversion to the [[BattleThemeMusic usual]], "Final Boss" theme.\\
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[[spoiler:After being a ButtMonkey through the course of the game, such a tired theme would feel too forced for the Black Baron (stop starin'!).]] [[VillainSong "Look Pimpin!" is sung from his opening cocky perspective, while "So Cold" reflects his angered reaction upon losing half his health.]]
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUJ1HHpNTJQ&hd=1 Ain't That Funny]].

** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34jq9a_IEBg It's a mad, mad world and you're caught in the game/ You put your life on the line, I put a hole in your brain...]]
* ColbertBump: The song "[[SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic Ain't That Funny]]" got popular with the ''League of Legends'' fanbase, due to a video for a strategy for that game featured this song, proving ''[=MadWorld=]'''s music quality even to people who don't play this game. Just look at the comments on any Youtube video of this song.

** RinRin's death scene can be viewed as this, just because of how genuinely & unnecessaryily cruel it can be to some viewers.