Max Payne (MP) was in development from early spring 1999 through to late fall 2001, however even after all that time the game has some more than noticeable bugs. Having very little extras in the game, MP can’t quite compete with the major players. But with what it does right, MP comes in a close second.
WHAT WAS GOOD:
The game flows as it should with very little problems in the control. The set up allows for quick aiming and fast weapon changes so that the action can stay constant. These controls also make for some very easy aiming (Especially when you go into bullet time).
WHAT REALLY SUCKED:
MP has one of the most unusual control schemes in that it controls like a FPS (One stick moves you forward and strafes while the other turns you and looks up and down), but it isn’t. Even after lots of practice MP can become very frustrating to handle (I personally never had that problem, but I know people who have). Though it is arguable that the control set-up it has is required to make this game work. I for one agree.
{OVERALL CONTROL = C}
WHAT WAS GOOD:
MP offers a lot of game play, if you are a shooter fan such as myself. In many points of the game it tests your skills, one such area makes you walk on a narrow beam stretched across the inner roof of church and on the outside ledges. At its core MP plays like a FPS but with a more developed environment. The game carries a spot on shooting experience and couples it with a simulation approach to the weapon design (Even the casings that discharge from the guns clip were modeled after the real thing).
WHAT REALLY SUCKED:
MP offers little to nothing new for the average gamer; it has nothing to really draw you back. I (Unlike most other gamers) return to the game because I find MP incredibly entertaining. However a lot of people don’t see it that way and only give MP one run and rightfully so. With practically nothing to really make it stand out (Outlandish characters, strange settings, weird weapons) it can’t really be a Ratchet and Clank or a Medieval 2.
{OVERALL GAME PLAY = C}
WHAT WAS GOOD:
MP looks just fantastic; the photo realistic textures make the graphics of MP stand out.
WHAT REALLY SUCKED:
Now, on the PS2 MP looks like ass in comparison to the other versions, the limited texture memory of the console makes many of MP most redeeming elements look muddy and blurred. On the PC and X-Box (In particular the X-Box) MP is much better looking.
{OVERALL GRAPHICS = B}
WHAT WAS GOOD:
MP is a very long game; it spans three chapters and has about one – nine parts and each section contains two – three episodes. The levels are very big allowing for some exploring. This can make for some interesting shoot-outs if you have a general idea of the rooms layout. Fun is a major part of MP and it is filled to the brim with it, but it offers more in term of re-play to the gamer who seeks a perfect run (Not getting killed or shot once), or the guy that wants to figure out how to juggle an enemy with your Berettas.
WHAT REALLY SUCKED:
MP has the type of game play that makes fans of shooters want to play it over and over again, however if you are not a shooter fan it has little to bring you back. The game has its strong points, but not enough to keep the replay value for the casual gamer anything over two weeks.
{OVERALL REPLAY = C}
WHAT WAS GOOD:
You are Max Payne, an under cover detective working for the DA’s (District Attorney’s) office. In your work to discover the origins of a new manufactured narcotic called Valkyr(V) you stumble across a much deeper and more sinister plot. As you blast your way through most of Hell’s kitchen in New York, new evidence comes to light that may lead you to the one responsible for the death of your wife and child three years prior.
WHAT REALLY SUCKED:
Aside from being a little over-the-top in nature the story behind MP has many holes in it. The story is a little slow and can be somewhat lackluster without a point to many events making it feel a little rushed. However you would be hard pressed to come up with a darker and more mature story.
{OVERALL STORY = C}
CONTROLS = C GAME PLAY = C GRAPHICS = B RE-PLAY = C STORY = C
Max Payne has its problems, but none of them prevent this game from delivering fun, fast shooter action. Though a bit graphically inadequate on the PS2 Max Payne shines and oh how the light is blinding.
-Kevin .B
I GIVE MAX PAYNE: 3 OUT OF 5
THE SCORE CARD.
The following is a list of ratings and the associated line following explains where the game stands in term of, “buy it!”, “rent it” or “burn it to ashes!” Enjoy.
5 of 5 = WHAT ARE YOU DOING SITTING AROUND, GO BUY THIS GAME NOW!!!
4½ of 5 = BUY THIS GAME YOU FOOL!!
4 of 5 = A PURCHASE TO MAKE YOU PROUD!
3½ of 5 = WORTHY OF ANYONES GAME LIBRARY
3 of 5 = HARD TO DO ANY BETTER
2½ of 5 = YOU CAN DO WORSE
2 of 5 = TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT
1½ of 5 = THIS GAME ISN’T WORTH YOUR TIME
1 of 5 = IT ISN’T WORTH THE TIME OF A ROTTING, CHARRED, BRAIN-DEAD CORPSE!
½ of 5 = IF YOU HAVE TO CHECK, MAYBE YOU SHOULDN’T BE BUYING YOUR OWN GAMES!!
0 of 5 = BURN IT, FOR THIS GAME IS THE WORK OF SATAN!!!
It offers a more “Mature” setting to get your “shooters groove” on. The character models are well designed and have very little or no clipping. And almost everything looks right; no erroneous designs that make the game seem childish or under-developed.