Max Payne

Bring on the Payne

Max Payne is the first in a series of third person shooter games that is very popular among gamers. In fact, this game has become so popular that it even spawned its own film. There have been several instalments in this saga, let’s take a look at where it all began and see if this game truly deserves its legendary status.

The character of Max Payne is presented as a fugitive undercover cop with nothing to lose. After being framed for murder, he is now being hunted by both the police and the local mafia and it seems like there is nowhere for him to turn. The game is a story driven shooter that provides plenty of entertainment every step of the way. There are lots of plot twists to help keep gamers of the edge of the seat, while the action is often gruesome and gritty.

One of the most interesting features of the game is the unique Bullet Time mechanic. This allows players to slow down the sense of time so that they can focus their shots more accurately and it would help them win deadly gun duels. The weapons set up is realistic and there are more than a dozen guns to choose from that closely mimic the style and mechanisms of actual guns.

Comic book fans are sure to be enchanted by this game. It plays out rather like a dark novella and comes completed with more than eighty different comic screens that have been painted by hand. This helps to reflect the atmosphere of the game and set the scene for the various different parts of the plot.

The game comes complete with a richly varied cast of murderous characters and meeting these characters can be a lot of fun. The game takes place in several different locations and all of the different backdrops as well as other gaming elements feature smooth and almost breathtakingly good graphics. Despite the amount of detail that has gone into the game, it takes almost no time at all to load it, while getting to know the controls and various different options is also easy.

Even the opening sequence of the game packs a punch. Max Payne is teetering on the roof of a towering New York skyscraper with snow falling all around him. He reflects on the circumstances that put him in this position and in just a few short minutes the back story of the game and the objectives are clear. The storyline features plenty of poetic touches that give it an extra dose of finesse and class.

Max Payne is the sort of tough guy/hero that every man dreams of being. He is able to take out three opponents with a single move and receive nothing but a scratch. He walks the walk and talks the talk and is not afraid of getting his hands dirty in a street brawl if he has to. He has his eyes fixed firmly on what he wants and is willing to take down anyone who stands in his way. Who wouldn’t want to play the role of Max Payne?

If you can get over the cheesy name of the game itself, you will probably have a lot of fun playing Max Payne. The gaming graphics are excellent, while the storyline has been well thought out and puts players right in the heart of the action. This game is a fitting start to the gaming saga and players can look forward to many more episodes in the future.

Pros

• The visuals are exceptional
• The storyline is intricate and engaging
• The game loads quickly

Cons

• There is not much variation between missions