Steam
Max Payne is a third-person perspective action game developed by the Finnish studio Remedy Entertainment. The protagonist is an undercover DEA agent whose task is to locate the source of Valkyr - a deadly new drug. Personally, Max is also seeking revenge against the murderers of his family. He falls victim to a conspiracy and gets accused of killing his supervisor.
Max Payne was released on PC and PS4, among others. It's a a third-person thriller action game. It was developed by Finnish studio Remedy Entertainment, known before mainly for the arcade racing game Death Rally from 1996.
The original version of the game was released in 2001 on the PC and 6th-gen consoles, and two years later, thanks to Mobius Entertainment, got a simplified version for GameBoy Advance. Eleven years after the release of the original, Max Payne Mobile, created by the War Drum studio, debuted on mobile devices, offering a refreshed graphics, and textures brought up to HD standards. In the same year, as part of the PS2 Classics service, a digital reissue of the original from 2001 became available to PlayStation 3 users. In spring 2016, Max Payne also became available to PlayStation 4 owners, enriched with achievements and graphics scaled up to 1080p.
Plot
Finnish writer Sami Järvi (also known by the pseudonym Sam Lake), who also gave his appearance and voice to the main character, is responsible for the script of the game. The plot of Max Payne, presented as a retrospect, centers around the character of the eponymous New York police officer leading a private investigation into the brutal murder of his wife and daughter, committed by gangsters under the influence of a mysterious drug Valkyrie. The circumstances are dramatically complicated when he is accused of killing his friend, a DEA agent, which brings on him the heat of the entire NYPD, led by Commissioner Jim Bravura. Forced to hide from his former colleagues, Max must enter the underworld of New York, trying to catch the trail of the drug mafia responsible for his personal tragedy. He soon discovers that the aforementioned drug is part of a secret government project of Valhalla, the purpose of which was to investigate the effects of the drug on the morale and combat capability of soldiers.
Mechanics
From the point of view of mechanics, Max Payne is a third-person shooter, and a sensational thriller, in which the hero conducts an investigation and rather often faces armed opponents. Max can use a dozen weapons, and is able to endure the intense shootouts thanks to painkillers, which work like regular med kits. Against the backdrop of other games of the genre, the production from Remedy Entertainment, is set apart with very original storytelling and climate reminiscent of the film noire, popular in the 1950s.
One of Max Payne's main, distinguishing features is the groundbreaking bullet-time mode, inspired by John Woo movies or the cult Matrixtrilogy. When it's activated, time slows down, and the movements of the opponents and our main character slows down. You still can, however, aim at normal speed, allowing, for example, easier finding of targets. It is also possible to perform a leap forward, backward or sideways and fire at opponents during the jump, which at the same time makes the character less vulnerable to possible hits. This solution has become almost a mandatory element of all subsequent shooter games.
Game modes
Released on the PC, PS4, etc. Max Payne is created for single-player only and does not allow any form of multiplayer.
Technical aspects
Max Payne is based on Remedy's proprietary graphics engine, which ensured high level of detail, unique lighting effects, smooth animations (even clothes move), as well as realistic simulation of weapon and projectiles physics, or facial expression of the characters. A distinctive feature of the game is also the original, cut-scenes stylized for comic book pages, showing the storyline as memories of the protagonist.
Among all the hardware platforms for which Max Payne was released, the version for Game Boy Advance stands out quite clearly – due to the significantly lesser capabilities of the device, the entire perspective is shifted for isometric, and many elements were somewhat simplified. At the other extreme are the versions for mobile devices – with a modified shooting model, overhauled, HD graphics, and integration with Rockstar Games Social Club, which has bonus game content and the ability to share the achievements with others. The PlayStation 4 console version offers even more – 1080p resolution and achievements.
Last updated on August 14, 2015
Videos and Screens
The main pros of the game
- Engaging Storyline: The game features a compelling narrative with a dark, film noir aesthetic that resonates with players. Many reviews highlight the emotional depth of Max's character and his journey of revenge.
- Innovative Gameplay Mechanics: The introduction of the "bullet time" mechanic is frequently praised as a groundbreaking feature that enhances the shooting experience. The gameplay is described as fun and satisfying, with a good variety of weapons and level designs.
- Strong Voice Acting: The voice acting, particularly by James McCaffrey, received high praise for adding depth to the characters and enhancing the storytelling.
- Aesthetic Appeal: The game?s visuals, especially for its time of release in 2001, are noted for their realism and artistic style, contributing to the overall atmosphere.
- Solid Length and Challenge: The game offers a respectable length of around 8 hours with various challenge modes, making it a good value for players.
The main cons of the game
- Technical Issues on Modern Systems: Many users reported difficulties running the game on current hardware, including broken audio, resolution problems, and the need for mods or patches to fix these issues.
- Aging Mechanics: While the bullet time mechanic is praised, other gameplay elements are considered dated, leading to frustration, particularly in combat situations where damage can feel unfair.
- Performance Drops: Some reviews mention lag and performance drops, especially in outdoor areas, which can detract from the experience.
- Difficulty Level: The game is described as challenging, with some players finding it unfairly difficult, leading to frequent quicksaving and restarts.
The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users
- Lack of Modern Compatibility: Users express a desire for better compatibility with modern systems without the need for extensive modding or patching.
- Improved Audio Quality: Many reviews mention audio issues, such as broken sound during cutscenes and lack of music, indicating a need for audio updates or fixes.
- Enhanced Mechanics: Some players suggest that certain gameplay mechanics, like the dive functionality, are not working as intended and could use refinement.
- Quality of Life Improvements: There is a call for updates that would improve overall usability, such as better save systems and more intuitive controls, reflecting the advancements in modern gaming design.
Summary
- Overall, while Max Payne is celebrated as a classic with a rich narrative and innovative gameplay, it faces criticism for its technical shortcomings and aging mechanics when played on contemporary systems.
Summary generated on:
GAMERS Score
Average score from 7431 votes.
5
GAMES
in Max Payne Game Series
Game Series
Max Payne Series
Max Payne is a series of third-person perspective (TPP) action games. The series was started by the Finnish studio Remedy Entertainment. Currently, Rockstar Games takes care of its development.
5 video games
Max Payne Summary
Platforms:
PC / Windows July 26, 2001
PlayStation 4 April 22, 2016
Android OS June 14, 2012
Apple iOS April 12, 2012
PlayStation 3 May 2, 2012
PlayStation 2 December 7, 2001
Xbox December 11, 2001
Game Boy Advance December 18, 2003
Developer: Remedy Entertainment
Publisher: Rockstar Games
Max Payne System Requirements
PC / Windows
Recommended: Pentium II 400MHz, 64MB RAM, graphic card
Sam Lake and Max Payne Voice Actors Reunite After 22 Years
After more than two decades, the cast of the famous Max Payne has met again. This time the team appeared in Alan Wake 2, where it is very difficult to find them.
video games
Maciej Gaffke
January 7, 2024
Max Payne 1 and 2 Remakes Announced
Remedy has announced remakes of the first two installments of the Max Payne series. Development costs are to be covered by Rockstar Games.
video games
Michael Zegar
April 7, 2022
Max Payne Celebrates 20th Birthday; Devs Thanked Fans in Special Video
It's been 20 years since the release of the first Max Payne. The developers decided to celebrate this anniversary with a special video in which they thanked the fans.
video games
Przemyslaw Dygas
July 24, 2021