Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne

"A Satisfying Game While It Lasts"

Notes

After completing this game for both the PS2 and the PC, I recommend that you purchase this game for the PC if you haven't purchased the game at all yet, for the following reasons: the settings can be enhanced, things play a lot better on the mouse/keyboard, DX9 really improved the game, and the PS2 loads just a little bit longer (the computer version does however, require a decent rig to play). However, seeing as how my first play through was on the PS2 and that I enjoyed it anyway, Max Payne 2 will probably not disappoint you, whichever version that you decide to play.

Introduction

Max Payne 2 is basically a story-driven game; the game solely rests upon its excellent plot. The player must learn to find interest in the game's plot, the in-game cut-scenes, and the various comic strip scenes that appear in between the stages/levels to find any interest in the game at all. Max Payne 2 is not in essence a full-fledged action shooter, and at times the missions may become redundant and insipid. However, the motivation that kept me playing through the game so many times was the story line. The main point is that obstinate and insatiable gamers expecting a tremendous amount of exciting fast-paced action will probably find the game altogether unfulfilling. However, (this coming from both myself and my friends), determination and patience will make Max Payne 2 an unforgettable game and quite possibly one of the best action games of any video-gamer's collection. The original Max Payne fans will definitely enjoy Max Payne 2 (the games are tremendously similar, only slight differences have been made), and most action gamers will as well. Shall I go on?

The Game and the Story

Max Payne 2 is a fairly slow paced game. There's a lot of waiting involved, especially on the higher difficulties or stages. I must admit that although the game is fairly short (beat it in about two days), it requires a lot of thinking and patience. Even the story starts out slow; it is basically like a giant puzzle that must be pieced together. As I mentioned earlier, the story alone makes the game worth playing; the original Max Payne fans will find the plot especially satisfying, since it pretty much picks up where the last game left off. Yes, the plot may seem slow, but is careful not to miss any details, a quality lacking in many video games these days. Game-play may also seem slow to gamers that are used to super fast paced shooters. Carelessness and rushing will get you killed in this game (that is, until/unless you know what you're doing). You must use bullet time (slow down time) to survive; it doesn't matter if you know where everyone is going to be and what the layout of the stage is. You will get slaughtered if you don't slow down time. Max Payne 2 utilizes a completely new bullet time system, which sort of sacrifices some realism (whatever was there in the first place of course) for game-play. I personally enjoyed the original bullet time, which forced the player to act sensibly when in slow motion. However, the new bullet time slows down time further with each kill (and drains more bullet time in the process). Eventually, with enough kills, you can move fast (real time equivalent of normal speed) while everyone else moves slowly, which doesn't seem to make much sense (the movement rate would make Max sort of like Superman). However, this may help some gamers, because the game becomes much easier (than the original Max Payne) in this sense. You can eventually just run into rooms, activate bullet time, kill one person, and easily kill everyone else. It's as simple as that. The missions are varied enough to make the game playable, but most of the missions are basically the linear ''get from point A to point B while killing or protecting various people, or collecting items,'' but I have no complaints as most of the tedious parts were accompanied with fulfilling end-results. Once again, the key word is patience. Those who don't find Max Payne 2 to their liking in the beginning will most likely have a change of heart after they get a firm grasp on the story.

Eye-Candy

The graphics really haven't changed from the original Max Payne; well, what I noticed was that there isn’t anything completely different that’s worth mentioning. Most of the enemies look the same, the environments look similar to its predecessor, and the lighting is dim as usual. Everything in the game just has a really gothic, twisted, and corrupt look; it's probably exactly what the game designers were aiming for. The dream scenes look really nice, and, even though they can make you kind of dizzy, add the effect that Max is going through some sort of hallucinogenic state of mind (Remember that mission in GTA: VC where you had to get that guy to the hospital? Um, never mind). The rag-doll effects are done really nicely; nothing looks out of place when they hit the floor (or the balcony, stairs, etc.) and they don't go flying all over place as in other “realistic” games. I don’t know why, but the fire effects of Max Payne 2 are some of the best I’ve ever seen in a video game. One of the missions deals with getting out of an exploding building and it really feels like you’re inside a blazing inferno. Molotov cocktails can set things ablaze and the results are also devastatingly realistic. Anyway, if you don't usually complain about the graphics in most games, especially PS2 ones, then the graphics in Max Payne 2 will satisfy, if not impress.

Sound/Music

Most of the music has a dark and eerie quality to it, especially during the flashbacks and dreams; it’s kind of like the stuff that you’d expect from a horror game. The spirit of the film-noir is really captured by Max Payne 2’s music. The sounds are especially good; gunshots sound realistic, and even the Molotov cocktails sound realistic when they shatter on something or someone. Whoever did the voice acting in the game also did a really good job; the characters don't sound monotonous at all. Max sounds like the confused, tormented soul that he is, Mona the loner, etc. I wouldn't want to spoil the game for you, but every character sounds exactly the way they should. Sound is probably the next best thing in Max Payne 2, after the story; the sound and music just happened to increase the realism factor of the game ten-fold. If you're one of those people who appreciates good voice acting in games, cartoons, dubbed movies etc. then you'll realize that the voice acting done in this game is superb. Much like the rest of the game, the sound/music factors in Max Payne 2 won't disappoint.

The Extras/Replay Value

Also included with the three different difficulties for the main mission are extra modes: ''New York Minute'' and ''Dead Man Walking;'' Max Payne players will remember these modes from the original Max Payne. You will unlock these modes, and the next difficulty, after finishing the game once on the easiest difficulty. These extra features really didn't captivate my interests, but I assume that they would make good practice and training for anyone finding trouble in the main missions (I must admit, I died multiple times, only because of carelessness- that's what saving is for, of course). I just tried the extra modes after I finished the game, but they got boring after a while, since there was no motivation for me to be doing it. After beating the game on the most difficult level, the game had served its purpose. Even though the extra modes weren't that great, the main story is what makes the game satisfying. Finish the game and you're done with it basically, but at least it manages to satisfy while it lasts.

The Verdict

In conclusion, Max Payne 2 is a game that is definitely worth playing. It gets an 8/10, only because of the lack of length and replay value; it’s just too short to warrant a full-price purchase (that’s where rentals come into play). Everything else about the game is excellent. There's no other word to describe it. However, I really would recommend that you rent this game first, as you just might be disappointed in shelling out the uncut price for a game that really doesn't last for much longer than a week (other than impressing your friends with). I have heard several complaints from people who bought the game, enjoyed it, but were disappointed because of its length. Max Payne 2 is like a really good movie, only with interaction. I highly recommend a rental, and those who truly enjoy Max Payne 2 should just go out and buy the game for their collections.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 12/28/03, Updated 01/26/04