- Publisher: Rockstar Games
- Release Date: Oct 14, 2003
- Also On: PlayStation 2
- Critic Score
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100It gives exactly what it promises: an engaging story with stylish, polished visuals wrapped tightly around fluid and virtually bug-free gameplay.
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92Max Payne 2 retains or expands on almost everything great from MP1 while adding new features, an intense story, an insane amount of detail, and even more wonderful gameplay.
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While the game is a tad short and there isn't a multiplayer option, Max Payne 2 is an excellent choice for mature gamers for its nonstop action, high-production values and incredibly realistic graphics.
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In this sequel to the award-winning original, the kinks have been pistol-whipped until smooth, resulting in a tightly wrapped, short, sweet -- and familiar -- "ballet of death."
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While there's plenty to recommend in MP2's innovative gameplay, its brevity may leave some lingering "payne" in your wallet. [21 Nov 2003, p.L2T 46]
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90It's likely to be deemed too similar to the original to attract too many converts, but it's short, it's sweet, and it's been put together with so much style it frankly embarrasses the ham-fisted efforts of most other developers.
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100Frankly, Max Payne 2 makes me confident that the best is yet to come for gaming, that the awesome narrative and creative capability of this medium has yet to be explored to its fullest extent.
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It feels like the development team took everything that wasn't completely awesome in the first game, shot it in the face, and smoothed over the holes with buttery goodness. [Dec 2003, p.179]
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90The classical soundtrack is as emotional and well placed as any game I’ve seen before it, and Max Payne 2 also features specific attention placed on sound and environmental effects.
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90It’s repetitive and, at times, stupidly frustrating, but overall the insanely awesome outweighs the bad. You won’t find more intense action on PC, and no game will make you feel like more of a badass.
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95This series has been one of the most intense and best played games ever. I have never felt the same about a game since Half Life 1. This game sets the standard of what any shooter game should be – it's A+ quality, inside and outside.
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The gritty, film noir storytelling, intense bullet time action sequences and painstaking attention to detail in every area make Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne a must-have for every action fan.
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88My only gripe with Max Payne 2 would be value for money - it's a short game. Nevertheless it's slick, well made and you'll rarely have time to catch your breath from start to finish.
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A cinematic game that plays like an interactive movie, a stylish film noir experience that no gamer should miss.
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87Despite the wonderful new physics system, it feels like this is a game out of step with what's happening in action games. It still suffers from odd AI: enemies are hyperaware of your presence, turning on a dime as you enter their sensitive ranges. [PC Gamer UK]
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90A stunning shooter that's got a bit too much plot and is over too soon, though it's still incredibly intense and, by all means, worth experiencing.
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95The action in Max Payne 2 is as adrenaline-pumping as anything you'd see on the silver screen, and you're in control. Or dangerously close to spiraling out of control, as Max often is. Despite the length, this is top-quality entertainment.
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95Although it does not support multiplayer and is a bit short, this definitely one of the best action games this year.
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96A cinematic, action packed swarm of near perfection with a tragically twisting plot worthy of the big screen.
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94The visuals are excellent, the voice work is superior to what we usually get dealt in the action genre, and I only wish the game was a bit longer. A lot longer actually, but it's more because this kind of game is such a rare find than because that find is relatively meager.
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94Complete in just about every aspect. Apart from the irritating escort missions and the short first run through, Max Payne 2 is perfect.
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A brand new story that will keep you totally engrossed. Updated graphics and the same great gameplay with brand new Bullet Time effects.
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90Remedy Entertainment has again, defined the "cinema" in "cinematic." Absolutely no one out there can do Max Payne like these guys and we'll certainly be looking forward to the final instalment.
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91There’s immense replay value here, there’s a mixture of modes and difficult levels, and there’s a damn fine game, even if it’s not quite the revolution that the first Max was.
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The survive-as-long-as-you-can "Dead Man Walking" mode, however, can make a second or third go-round worthwhile. [Dec 2003, p.87]
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Not only is Max Payne 2 a truly befitting follow up, it also represents the epitome of what was so attractive about the original. It builds upon cinematic qualities and game play mechanics, improving upon both and fusing them together to near perfection. The storyline has been developed beautifully, and it's deliverance is once again, unique.
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90Well-developed and believable characters. That, in itself, is no mean feat, but mix it with the game's delightful combat, varied design, and admirable coherence of style and creative vision, and you have something very special. Max Payne 2 is a superb game.
User score distribution:
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Positive: 78 out of 85
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Mixed: 5 out of 85
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Negative: 2 out of 85
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10
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10We Will Never Forget Remedy's Max Payne.