User Score
8.5 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 37 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 33 out of 37
  2. Negative: 3 out of 37

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  1. PhilipT.
    Apr 6, 2002
    9
    This game is great, other than the inverted controls.
  2. EduardoP
    Sep 3, 2002
    10
    I can't belive that somebody gave this game a three. Hahahahahaha. Anyway why would you want to shoot yourself while you are playing!?
  3. JakeL.
    Dec 30, 2001
    9
    Visually impressive. Just as good as the PC version. Also far better than the PS2 version. It's a must have game.
  4. RasiM.
    Feb 20, 2002
    10
    Best shooting game out.
  5. B.B.
    Feb 28, 2003
    10
    This game was awesome. The only thing I didnt like was the comic book style parts. But the action and plot was great!!!!
  6. MattO.
    May 16, 2003
    10
    A great game with brill graphics and easy controls. only one flaw the two levels when his drugged up and walking on a tightrope of blood. but the other levels more that make up for this.
  7. Uter
    Jan 2, 2004
    9
    I'd give it a 10 if there was a bit more replay value. The game is fairly long (about 10 hrs), and great all the way through. I really liked the dark story line and atmosphere.
  8. Paul
    Jul 21, 2006
    9
    Great concepts and a story line that keeps you playing. The cartoon style story telling is very well done.
  9. PerryR.
    Feb 19, 2002
    10
    The game is great, and I cant get enough of it.
  10. KidjoM.
    May 14, 2002
    9
    GOOD GAME!!! But not as good As Halo... I've played better, but not too many... Fun game.
  11. S.G.
    Dec 18, 2003
    10
    Heavy game.
  12. TobyR.
    Apr 5, 2003
    9
    His wife and child has been killed and he is not trilled. He feels pain, going insane it's time fore a bullettime action game his name is max payne. A game that rocks.
  13. [Anonymous]
    May 13, 2003
    9
    This game rox. The bullet time is awsome. And all those people who think it sucks....
  14. Lawyer
    Oct 25, 2005
    10
    People who give this 0 and 2 are morons. One of the best games of all time.
  15. RobertR.
    Jan 31, 2002
    10
    Best game on xbox.
  16. JeffK.
    Feb 26, 2002
    10
    This is my favorite Xbox game. I?m going through it a third time. I never replay games a second time, much less a third. Plugging bad guys is too much fun. The Dolby Digital sound effects are killer.
  17. AdamN.
    Jun 25, 2002
    10
    Carson Daly look alike with a gun. Did I mention he can dive in slow motion?
  18. JohnN.
    May 26, 2008
    10
    My favorite game of all time. I like the thematic elements, leading to Ragnarok, and its darker view of things. Very fun, and it is in homage to a John Woo movies, with bullets everywhere.
  19. Jan 19, 2011
    9
    Great game. The graphics and the bullet time were a breath of fresh air into action games and a very good reason to own the original xbox. This game is great.
  20. Nov 12, 2011
    10
    I remember first playing this game on Xbox about 7-8 years ago. It was my favorite game from the first time I played it, it is still my favorite game. Everything about Sam Lake's gritty, dark story hooked me instantly, and I remember buying the sequel as soon as it came out! There is almost no other 10 year old game I would rather play, the only reason I don't play it too often is to savor those precious memories of my younger days. I even wrote a poem about Max Payne! Expand
Metascore

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 24
  3. Negative: 0 out of 24
  1. In slow-motion, it’s possible to catch every white bullet trail and crimson blood spray; we’d daresay it’s violence made beautiful. [Feb 2002, p.98]
  2. The PC version's visual quality--on a suitably good PC--managed to completely live up to the very high expectations produced by the early press, and the good news is that the Xbox version essentially looks just as good.
  3. One key improvement over the PS2 version is the lack of load times. Whereas levels had to be chopped up in that version the Xbox allows them to be loaded in the same way as the PC original, virtually eliminating any load times and keeping the sense of immersion high.