User Rating: 9 | Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne XBOX
Max Payne 2 is easy to recommend playing but hard to recommend purchasing. As I’m sure you’ve heard a thousand times by now, the game is short. This is not because Remedy skimped out on effort or tried to make a quick buck. Here are some reasons why the Max Payne experience comes to an end before you want it to. 1. SKIPPING CUT SCENES (if you skip them you are only ruining the experience of the game. The story gives the game play purpose and is one of the highlights of this great game) 2. LINEAR DESIGN (max payne has only one path to take to reach the end, so backtracking and extensive exploring are not of importance) 3. QUICK SAVE/LOAD (saving and loading are fast and can be done at any time in the game. A quick save ensures that if you die, you will start right where you were without having to waste time playing the same part again) 4. TOO ENJOYABLE (the game is so enjoyable in both game play and story that you’ll probably have a hard time putting it down. This can result in finishing the game in 1 or 2 sittings) While not a whole lot has changed since the first Max Payne, this sequel manages to put together some very creative scenarios and a new story in a way that few other games have achieved. Max Payne 2 is just one of those games that, despite being short, is fun every second until it’s over. I have heard some people say that it can be completed in 3 hours or less, but if you explore the environments and don’t skip the story, it’s more like 10 hours. The graphics are much improved with excellent textures and Havok’s physics in the environments. In 480p resolution, it just looks fantastic. The sound is also impressive with all of the bullets flying and ambient effects. The voice acting is top notch and makes the characters and story come to life. You will also notice the detail that Remedy has put into this game with all of the commercials and shows playing on televisions throughout the game. Add a mature theme and story and the game comes together nicely. I managed to pick up a used copy of Max Payne 2 for $20 with my employee discount at work. At that price I can say that I am happy with owning it. However, as much as I wanted to play this game I waited for a used one because it didn’t seem worth the $50 price tag. Whatever you do, don’t miss out on this game. If you’re short on cash and sell your games when you finish them, rent it and enjoy. If you collect games and loved the first Max Payne, try to find a used copy (they shouldn’t be too hard to find since a lot of people have already played through it a few times).
