|
|
 |
 Max
Payne
Remedy Games
God Games
Action
PC / PlayStation 2 / XBox
2001 has been a rather dry year for PC games. The first few
quarters were plagued with promises of upcoming releases for 2002
or mere sequels to classics. While Black & White
satiated cravings for a god game and Giants: Citizen Kabuto
gave us a Real Time Strategy / Action game. The Sims, Diablo
II and Baldur's Gate II all had their respective
expansion packs. But still, no stand outs in the action genre.
Finally, at the end of the Summer, there is some light.
 Set
in New York City, present day, Max Payne is a former NYPD
detective whose life is turned around in mere moments. Upon
entering his suburban home, he finds his newborn daughter murdered
and witnesses the execution of his wife. Years later, he is
working for the ATF in an undercover sting to fish out drug lords
in New York. Upon meeting his one contact in the bureau, his
contact is murdered and Payne is framed for the crime. He is now
against the police and the mob as he runs for his life trying to
piece together what everything means.
Max Payne's graphics are simply gorgeous. There is eye
candy everywhere from the dark New York environment, to the run
down slums of the various apartments. Flame effects, effects for
every surface that is struck by projectiles and even individually
textured bullets fly through the air as Payne dodges and kills the
druggies and Mafioso that get between him and the truth. Character
models are amazing with every character based upon members of the
Remedy team.
 Payne
has taken the 3rd person action style to another level. Combat is
sweet and smooth with a wide variety of firearms and explosives at
Payne's disposal. But if you've ever seen The Matrix,
you'll probably remember the camera effects that throw Neo &
Trinity into slow motion. Payne has this ability at the click of a
button. As you dodge away from enemy fire, you're able to fire off
rounds with dual Berettas, a shotgun or even an assault rifle.
Enemy intelligence reacts differently in given situations, running
from grenades and finding ways to use the environment to team up
upon the lone soldier.
With a dark story that rivals a seamless movie script, Max Payne
has benchmarked what action games should become. Innovative
game-play combined with crisp graphics and design, Payne brings
home a classic hit with plenty of action, depth and fun to satiate
any gamer of any level of devotion.
Final Verdict: 9/10
Max
Payne
3D
Action Planet: Max Payne |
 |
|
