Max Payne

"Neat idea, not so neat game"

The portable version of Max Payne takes on an isometric view. The game actually works well in the isometric view. The graphics are nice, the sound is nice, off-screen shooting sucks, and full voice overs rock. Here's my review.

GAMEPLAY 7/10: I have mixed feelings about the gameplay. At first, the controls made me so ticked off I almost hurled my SP at the wall. But once you get used to it, they're fine. The one huge gripe I have against this game is the horrible off-screen shooting. You have to run in blindly guns a blazin hoping that you'll hit someone. As you may know, Max Payne was the first game to include Bullet Time, where time goes into slo-mo while you aim in real time. This is best in conjunction with Shootdodge, which is a slo-mo dive. Collison is pretty crappy in this game,too. It's hard to tell when you can't jump onto an object. The game has a couple of glitches, but nothing major. For example, in one level you have to chase a guy,(which you can't shoot)and then I got in front of him, blocking his way, and I couldn't shoot him! That pissed me off, because then he got stuck there. This is the most unique gunplay on the GBA, it just wasn't executed greatly.

GRAPHICS 8/10: The isometric perspective allows for some nice, big enviroments. This perspective also allows for some blurry characters. This game's cut-scenes are presented in a graphic novel style, like its PC and console siblings. They may not be as detailed, but nonetheless great. Plus, they're fully voiced over!

SOUND 8/10: Groundbreaking. This game's graphic novel cut-scenes are fully voiced over! It may sound compressed, but really impressive for the GBA. I would have given this game a 10/10 in sound if it weren't for a lack of tunes. There is one for when there are enemies around, which gets really annoying. There's also a catchy tune for when the coast is clear.

VALUE 5/10: Don't get me wrong, this is a high quality game(see fully voiced over cut-scenes), it's just that you don't get much bang for your buck. Once you beat the ridiculously easy and short story mode, all you get is a couple of cheats and difficulty modes.

FINAL SCORE 7/10: If you need a high quality action game for the GBA, go get this. This is pretty much it for gunplay on the GBA, anyways. Otherwise, wait for the price tag to go down.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 02/24/04