Max Payne

"Not a tragic port, but the other versions are superior"

This game is so noticablely worse then the other versions, PC Version in mind. The PC version of this game has better graphics, more accurate controls, better sounds, and more feeling of a good ole' time. The PS2 version is not really that bad, it is quite good... but it lacks the feeling of kick-ass Max Payneness when playing it that the PC Version has. Bullet time works wonderfully, but beware: framerates tend to drop dramatically low when fighting multiple guys. The graphics are nothing that remarkable, the PC looks way better and a lot darker and gloomier then this, which helps boost the story. The load times aren't all that spectacular here either. The game does have virtually everything the PC version has, which alone makes it a great game... but it doesn't do everything quite as good.

Graphics 7.5
Framerate drops considerably during heavy action scenes. You will notice this just from playing the training level, which is kind of sad. The textures are nice, but nothing great. The lighting really is sad compared to what the PS2 is capable of doing. One great thing about the pc version is that it really gives your a dark feeling, like in the beggining of the game when you are at the apartment and you witness the beggining tragic events. In the PS2 version it is all lit up and you don't feel the umph feeling that you did on ps2. Not aweful looking graphics, but the PC looks just looks a lot better.

Sound 8.0
The voice acting is incredibly good, and the sounds aren't all that bad either. The lack of music kind of hurts the sound, and there isnt all that much going on when just running around. But what it does manage to pull off doesn't sound that bad at all, not that bad at all.

Gameplay 7.0
The game plays just like the other Max Payne versions, only it is quite a bit more difficult to snipe out an enemy do to the dual shock controls. The pc has much more accuracy with the mouse/keyboard configuration. You will feel right at home if you have played Red Faction or TimeSplitters, but the controls fail to give you the accuracy you sometimes want. On the other hand, there is just as much action here as on the pc, it is as fun as ever and a blast to play... the drop in the framerate doesn't help tho. Good max payne fun nonetheless.

Replay 3.5
Its a single player game, and I don't see the point in playing through this version more than once, the PC version yes, only because it is more involving than this. But you probably won't be playing this a whole lot more after you beat it. Take my word for it.

Rent or Buy?
This is simple, if you have a PC and it has at least 500 mhz with a decent video card, BUY the pc version! You will notice some framerate issues depending on the pc you have, but if you have a pretty good one it will most likely feel, look, sound, and play better than this. If I were reviewing the PC version, it would probably get a 9. So think about it like that. What if you don't have a PC? Well its best time you get one, otherwise you definitely should rent this title to see what all the max payne fuss is about. Bullettime could never be more fun!

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 12/21/01, Updated 12/21/01