Max Payne

UPC: 710425290923

Platform: Xbox

Publisher: Rockstar Games

Developer: Neo Software

Category: Shooter

Style(s): Third-Person 3D Shooter

Synopsis: Rockstar Games and Neo Software bring Remedy Entertainment's PC hit to the Xbox. The game was developed solely as a single-player adventure, as the designers at Finland's Remedy Entertainment focused on creating an experience that would make gamers care at least as much about the main character as they would about finish times or frag counts. Tried and true devices of pulp fiction and film noir are employed in this game, drawing the player into the dark story through gripping motivations of revenge and self-preservation. Technically, Max Payne offers its own brand of state-of-the-art graphics and sound. Detailed, high-resolution environments are deformable, as walls become riddled with bullet holes of various sizes and shreds of paper, plastic, plaster, and tile fall to the ground, each in their own distinctly realistic manners. Admittedly inspired by the cinematic works of John Woo and Sam Peckinpah, the game applies stylistic techniques borrowed from action films as well, not only to add to the mood of the story but also to enhance gameplay. The title's signature "bullet time" gunfights can be played out in slow motion to provide a familiar dramatic effect and also to allow the player a chance to better situate himself and pick out prime targets in the chaos of flying lead. While the storyline still determines the events that need to happen in each mission and level, Max Payne is designed to allow the player to decide exactly how goals are accomplished. While the game must adhere to the linear nature of a plot-driven experience, it strives to also allow an engaging sense of freedom and control through expansive level design. Large, seamless areas are intended to offer the player a sense of new space to conquer as he or she sees fit, whether methodically sneaking about to avoid detection or running quickly and violently through a swarm of enemies with both guns blazing. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide

Package Contents: 36-page Instruction Manual

Controls: Joystick/Gamepad

The color manual explains the options, back-story, and controls. Not all of the weapons are documented, nor are the principal characters. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

The N.Y.C. environments are usually filled with things to open up or examine, and everything is sharp and easy to see. The animation could use some improvement, however, and most of the characters look a little on the blocky side. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Released five months after its PC debut, Max Payne for the Xbox is an excellent port, retaining all the features of the original while sacrificing little in the translation. The game is preferable to the PlayStation 2 version as it has noticeably smoother frame rates and quicker load times, as well as the ability to Quick Save at any point. If players lose a life near the end of the level, they need not go through it all again thanks to the Xbox hard drive. This feature alone makes the game more accessible to play. While the Xbox cannot offer the same level of detail as a high-end PC due to the limited resolution on a television set, Max Payne's visuals are clean and generally pleasing. Environments range from indoor offices and hotels to snow-covered streets and rooftops. Items offer limited interaction, so clicking on a toilet results in a flush sound, while switching on a television may result in static or a news bulletin. Load times between levels are short, but slight hiccups during the graphic novel sequences are noticeable while the system queues up a new page. This is a minor issue, though. Of course, the biggest feature of the game is "Bullet Time" technology, allowing players to relive cinematic shootouts by slowing down the action with a press of a button or trigger. Aiming with the Xbox controller is not as easy as it is with a mouse, since your right thumb isn't as stable or precise as your wrist, but players can adjust the sensitivity of the right stick to make things a little easier. The act of firing weapons is another advantage the Xbox has over the PS2 game, as it feels more realistic to squeeze a trigger than to tap a button. Since the game was originally designed for a PC keyboard, Max can only move in four directions and in one of two speeds: walking and running. Better implementation of the analog sticks would have been welcome, allowing for tiptoeing or running at variable speeds depending on the amount of pressure applied to the stick. Yet stealth is not a requirement in this game, as enemies automatically start running toward you based on your location rather than if they "heard" you. There also isn't any rumble feature, so firing those dual Berettas won't give you any tactile feedback. The gritty noir-style theme is a welcome change from futuristic games like Halo, and the usually problematic third-person perspective never becomes an issue thanks to the ability to slow down the action using the Bullet Time feature. While the game offers three difficulty levels and a bonus feature called New York Minute, there's not much incentive for playing through them all again. If only there was a high score system in place for pulling off special stunts or surviving a gunfight without getting hit, players might be more inclined to keep going. Max Payne is best suited as a rental, since the game can be finished within ten to 14 hours and there aren't enough additional modes of play to justify a purchase. The action is certainly fun and well paced, and some will enjoy revisiting the game again just to try new moves using Bullet Time. With its dark, mature storyline, progressively difficult gunfights, and memorable encounters, Max Payne for the Xbox is an experience not to be missed by those who never had a chance to play the PC version. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Since the game is structured as a graphic novel, there's little incentive to go back and play it again on a harder difficulty level -- everything stays the same. There's no scoring system, ranking, statistics, or similar style of record-keeping to make you want to improve upon past performances. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

The lead voice actor for Max Payne is perfect, sounding like a bitter Duke Nukem. The rest of the voice acting is hit or miss. A nice touch is enemies conversing with each other before you encounter them. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Other than two dream sequences that involve jumping on what is essentially a tightrope of blood, the game is extremely fun to play. Those who have wanted to star in a John Woo movie now have their chance. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

the game requires Joystick/Gamepad.