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Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne Review for PC
Posted on Tuesday, November 04, 2003 @ 09:18:34 pm E.S.TMax Payne was a hit for many reasons - great graphics, amazing use of bullet time and a compelling story, to name a few. Max Payne 2 clearly contains all of these things, and much, much more. Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne continues its strong emphasis on two things: story and action.
Everything is very well executed, from the graphics to the game itself. Max is looking amazing - there is no other way to put it. On higher-end PC’s, you’ll be able to produce amazing visuals. Explosions are very well done, and you can really see the amount of effort put into this portion of the game. You’re able to interact with the entire environment; most everything you see can be pushed or used as cover from enemy fire.
The new rag doll physics increase the realism as well. When you hit an enemy with shotgun fire at close range or throw a grenade, the enemy will realistically fly back from the impact. You’ll notice guys falling over ledges as they are with fire or the impact of an explosion.
Who to shoot...
In certain situations, when Max really gets going and his adrenaline increases, certain deaths will be shown in slow motion. This really allows you to view the remarkable rag doll physics, as enemies fall off of protrusions of buildings.
Bullet time, as mentioned, is back in The Fall of Max Payne. It is an essential skill to be used and mastered; it enables you to do things such as slow down time to allow for better reaction time, while still allowing you to aim in real time. This is quite an advantage, especially when used in combination with skills such as diving.
The story plays an integral role in the game. The story is displayed in two types of cut scenes - in game, which shows the characters in action and those which are displayed in a comic book style, much like the original. It allows for an interesting change in the way stories are told. While much of the story is revealed through these comic book cut scenes, there are still portions of the game in which you play that allow for advancement into the plot. Several levels, often at the beginning of Chapters, involve playing as Max in his dreams. He continues having nightmares of everything going on around him and the murders of his wife and daughter.
Throughout the game enemies will actually be having conversations that you can listen into, many of which are often very funny. The voice-acting is done very well, as are the pieces of music played throughout the game.
The Fall has one major fault - the length. It is possible to complete the game in less than 10 hours on Detective, the easiest difficulty. Once you’ve completed the game initially three new game modes will be unlocked: Hard Boiled, the medium difficulty of the main game. Upon completion the fifth mode will be unlocked, Dead on Arrival, which is the hardest difficulty of the main game. The other two game modes are New York Minute and Dead Man Walking. In New York Minute the object is to see how quickly you can complete a level of your choice. In the other, Dead Man Walking, you’re set in one of five locales from the game, where there are an unlimited amount of enemies. You’ll try to see how long you can hold them off with the few weapons you have and the limited health in the area. Both are fun, especially Dead Man Walking, but they are really just mini-games when held in comparison with the main game. While all of this does add up to a significant amount of gameplay, the first trip through the game is the best, but each time you play through, the game is less and less fun. This is do the lack of ways to tackle missions and the fact the main game mode is so short. 
Bullet time helps you to kick ass.
The focus of Max Payne 2 is clearly the main game, which takes place not long after the end of the first. You’ll play three main chapters, each of which has upwards of 5 individual levels. These levels range from infiltrating a mansion to escorting a man stuck in a large mascot uniform which is wired to explode. In addition, there is a second playable character which is available to be played as on several levels.
Throughout the game main game or otherwise, you’ll notice that Max Payne isn’t really about technique, as much as it as about all out gun-fights. However, there is a need for some sort of planning. Many times if Max runs into a gun fight, he’ll sustain a heavy amount of damage, and often, death. The use of bullet time is essential to success in Max Payne 2.
Overall Payne 2 is relatively linear - there is only one path, although there are minor differences in ways you can go about attacking. No matter which path you take, the outcome is always the same.
Despite it’s few shortcomings, Max Payne 2 is definitely not one to miss. It’s marvelous story will suck you into the game and not let go - this is one that many people are bound to pull all-nighters for. From the graphics to the voice work, everything is executed extremely well. To those who disliked the original, Payne 2 most likely will not appeal to you. The game isn’t significantly different from the original. For those of you who don’t mind a linear title or enjoyed the original Payne, this is a must have. Review By: Chris Pereira - 3040 Reads
Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne Review Scores for PC :
| Gameplay |
| 9.5 |
| Graphics |
| 10 |
| Sound |
| 9 |
| Replay |
| 8 |
| Overall |
| 9.1 |
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