When the original Max Payne was finally released in 2001 after a ton of delays, it fast became the standard of what a 3D action game should be. Though the game was criticized for being a tad short, every facet of the game oozed originality. From the graphic novel influenced cut scenes to the bullet time mechanic that made it famous, it fast became a top favorite in many a action game fan's eyes. Now, a little over two years later, Remedy Entertainment brings us Max Payne 2. Billed as a film noir love story, the game only took a few short months from announcement time to release. Does it live up to the standards that the original title set?

Max Payne 2 takes place not long after the first game. Payne has regained his job with the NYPD as a detective and is still haunted by the loss of his wife and child. We still find him coping with the loss as well as being tangled into a relationship with a mysterious woman named Mona Sax which begs the question as to whose side she's on. You follow Max as he investigates into a syndicate of thugs disguised as janitors, all the while trying to find out if Mona's on his side, his love for her, and betrayal by the police force he works for. For those who didn't play the original game, there is a cut scene off of the main menu that sums up the events leading to the sequel, but most won't find it very helpful. Which bodes the warning to prepare to be lost at certain points. During the course of the game you'll play as both Max and Mona where you'll get their perspectives of what's going on which proves to be interesting at times.

While the original game offered a lot of originality as far as gameplay, expect more of the same with this entry. However, game play is spiced up with improvements to the bullet time ability, which allowed Max to dive from cover and around corners in slow motion in the previous game. Max still has these moves available to him now, but on top of that, he can now use bullet time on foot. This allows him to run at a group of enemies and as he guns them down, he gets quicker as they get slower. This adds in some nice differences with game play with great effects.

The game's presentation is excellent. All of the graphic novel cut scenes are back and looking better than ever. Character models look great, which is especially true for Max who was criticized for having the infamous "what's that smell?" look permanently etched on his face in the previous game. Levels are well designed too, while some rooms start looking the same after a while, the player will be whisked through a lot of different places such as a fun house, construction sites, a hospital, and other miscellaneous locations.

Another series standby are the TV shows in the Max Payne world. You'll see the return of Lords and Ladies, Captain Baseball Bat Boy, and Address Unknown as well as a new show called Dick Justice, which pokes fun at the over dramatization and the said "what's that smell" look of Payne in the previous game. Each show has it's own story as the game progresses and are good when you just want to take a breather. Be sure to stay for the commercials for some lighthearted fun.

The sound department has some issues. While most of the voice acting is top notch, it seems that Max just wasn't into his role this time around. All of his storytelling sounds wooden and monotone, while that was a norm in the previous game, he just sounds bored this time around. Towards the end of the game you'll get to thinking that the janitors he's gunning down sound better. All of the guns sound great with individual sounds for each one.

 

Too much of a good thing isn't bad, as this installment shows. Max Payne 2 gives us more of the great game play that it's known for with some additional new elements thrown in. While the game play falls short in the game play department again, nothing seemed tacked on. Everything flowed smoothly from beginning to end. All-in-all, Max Payne 2 is a great action game that delivers excitement and a great story from beginning to end with little time to breathe in between.

Final Word

When Max Payne came out a couple years ago, I was totally addicted. The combination of the non-stop action game play combined with the "can't wait to see what's next" storyline had me hooked for a week until I beat it. Yeah it was short, but man was it sweet. Max Payne 2 was no exception. Sure, Max didn't sound too great this time around, but it was still a non-stop thrill ride and the addition of Mona didn't affect the chemistry at all, if anything, she gave you a different perspective of what was going on. Plus, I was kinda feeling bad for ol' Max...about time he got a love interest.

- Brad Hicks (aka Dr. Swank), SwankWorld Media