Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne

"A very good game, too short though."

Graphics: 8.0

For a Playstation 2 third person shooter, this games graphics are very good. The facial expressions actually change, as well as the hand formations. (when they grip the gun their hand is closed.) But, the graphics do have flaws: (spoiler) like when Mona is taking a shower and she has her hair in a ponytail, I found this quite odd. Also, when you shoot an enemy in the game there is no blood until they hit the ground. The blood does not splatter on the wall in back of the person shot, like it would. But these are very nit-picked things.

Sound: 9.0

The sound in Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne is terrific. When you shoot the 9mm it is not as loud as if you shoot the Sniper Rifle, or Desert Eagle, or M4 Carbine, etc.... When you shoot glass it sounds like you shot glass. When a Molotov Cocktail hits the ground you can hear the fire blazing. And when you throw a Grenade it is not like gunfire, but much louder like it should be. The only flaw is when you fall from a building onto a metal platform because the sound of you hitting the platform is either after, or before you hit.

Gameplay: 10

Everything in this game gameplay wise is great, and much better then the first game. They still have the ''follow the bullet cam'' when you fire a bullet from the Sniper Rifle, which is extremely awesome. Bullet-time is really cool in Max Payne 2, it recharges itself, and bullet-time makes it much easier to shoot accurately and the enemy will miss you more often. I love the ''shoot-dodge'' concept also. It allows you to leap from doorway to doorway while shooting at the enemy in slow-motion.

Replay Value: 7.0

The replay value on this game is alright. It is fun the first time you play it, very fun, but when you play it again it is just very hard. It is a game you would beat, then wait about 3 days, then play it again, then wait, then play, etc.... So it would not get to boring. So don't wear the game out. It is worth playing more then once though, that's for sure.

Overall: 8.0

I would say buy this game when it gets down to 40 bucks, or rent it. It is a great game, but not worth 50 dollars. Good luck, and have fun when you play!

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 01/26/04