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Max Payne

EMAIL PRINT pc

9.4 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 32 critic reviews
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Based on 73 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Gathering of Developers

Developer: Remedy

Genre(s): Action, Third-Person Shooter

Players: 1

ESRB Rating: M (Mature)

Release Date: July 25, 2001

Summary

A story-driven third-person shooter with a realistic weapon setup including over a dozen real-life guns, all fitting the crime-story setting like a bullet in the head. The action is surrounded with more than 80 hand-painted comic-screens that enhance the game's gritty atmosphere and attitude, introduce the game's murderous cast of characters, and carry the plot from one location to the next. [Gathering of Developers]

Also On Metacritic

GAMES: Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne

Cheat Codes & Hints: Adrenaline Vault Cheat Code Central Game Revolution GamePro GameSpot GameSpot Guide IGN PC Gameworld

Also On The Web: Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

Games Radar UK (Pre-2006)

The most important action game yet made for the PC. Well worth the long wait.

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Gamer's Pulse

Amazing! Just Amazing.

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Gamers' Temple

Incredible graphics, a compelling storyline, and an immersive experience. All of these features are expertly combined in Max Payne, creating a candidate for game of the year.

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GameZone

If you like slow-motion dives, guns blazing, the deft tuck at the end of the jump and the roll up to a shooting stance, the perceptible flash from the muzzle of a gun that pinpoints the position of the enemy, bodies flying backwards as bullets impact them, then you will absolutely love this game.

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PC Gameworld

You leave the experience a little different, and, like a girl that's been burned too many times entering what looks like a good relationship, you leave a little wary as well. You know you've been treated well; you don't feel the scars and scabs that other games have left you with.

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Playboy

Even the death sequences are pretty cool, as the game slows down, zooms in on the hero and shows him getting gunned down by a hail of lead.

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2404.org

There's an air of amusing determination to everything Max does. All the murdering is very satisfying for that reason.

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TotalGames.net

Pure, unadulterated, hard-core, ass kicking, pop a cap in ya' ass action and gunplay. Max Payne levels it’s .45 and sends stealth quivering back to the marketing table, where it belongs. And it’s all the better for it.

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Gamezilla!

At times MP is more movie than game, with stunning camera angles, jarring replays and an involved plot that not only moves the storyline along, it sets the tone for a hardcore action experience.

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IGN

Although the game will take the average gamer about a dozen hours to complete, it's a non-stop thrill-ride the whole way through, and you never go for more than a few seconds without seeing a gangster who's ready to take you down with extreme prejudice.

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GameSpot

Max Payne is rife with gunplay that's almost indescribably beautiful to watch--and yet actually playing it is even better.

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Voodoo Extreme

A tad on the short side (under 20 hours), which I could overlook if some multiplayer support was included, but other than that small complaint, I thought the game was nearly flawless.

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Armchair Empire

It’s slick, entertaining, and fun to watch – just like any good action movie. I recommend it, especially for John Woo, Matrix fans, and those that want a mouse pad that comes with a game!

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Game Over Online

It kicks some serious ass. We’re talking impressive graphics, great story, excellent atmosphere, great music, hilarious (though sometimes forced) one-liners, great puns on games/movies, you name it, it’s there.

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Total Video Games

Indeed the closest contemporary for the game would be "Metal Gear Solid" as it is one of the few games like Max Payne that offers a completely impressive experience from beginning to end, wrapped up in sumptuous presentation and production values.

Adrenaline Vault

One of those memorable titles that people will be talking about for years to come. Its impressive graphics, gripping storyline, and fun use of Bullet-Time action elevates the game to the current standard that most others should aspire to.

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PC Gamer

If you’re looking for a great thrill ride, an interesting story, and bleeding-edge technology, Max Payne delivers all of them.

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All Game Guide

The pace is maintained throughout the game and nearly compels you to finish in one sitting, with the occasional awe-inspiring moment driving you to continue.

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GameSpy

Even if MP is a little short, it is still one of the best PC games released this year. When you stack up the excellent storyline, awesome visuals, stellar special effects, and pulse-pounding gunfights, MP is simply one of the most fun action games on the market today.

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GMR Magazine

Despite some corny writing, this uberhip noir videogame feels like a movie but plays like a great action game. [Feb 2003, p.94]

FiringSquad

There is enough repetitive, standard fare about Max, coupled with its short play time, that makes it hard to flat-out recommend.

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GamePro

While it only takes about ten hours to complete Max Payne, it will be ten of the best hours you’ve spent on a computer in a long time.

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Hot Games

A great FPS. The most serious problem we have with the game is stability – we lost all of our save games at one point, and experienced random freezes fairly frequently.

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Gamer.tv

An instantly accessible, visually stunning and technically impressive tour de force. It's also immense fun to play.

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ActionTrip

A stunning techincal (gameplay) achievement that may be lacking a decent script to truly lead the way into the era of interactive PC movies.

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Electric Playground

But in the end, this fantastic engine and solid concept is hobbled by routine shooter gameplay.

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Media and Games Online Network

It is a good thing the gunplay is so exciting in this game, as there is not a lot else on offer.

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Game Revolution

It looks simply unbelievable, the gameplay and control is easy and intuitive, and the bullet time makes it the premier action game on the PC.

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Yahoo! Games

Its predominant flaw is that it whets our appetite for something unimaginably amazing but only fulfills half of that unveiled promise.

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Computer Games Magazine

A beautiful game full of memorable moments, suffering only from a clumsy attempt to mimic the writing style of old detective novels.

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Just RPG

A spectacular experience, not an intellectual one. Do not search for subtleties here or in-depth plots here – this is not a game that will win awards for its storyline or richness of character.

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GamePen

In the style of PC Gamer's David Manningesque vocabulary, Max Payne is the most forgettable action game in history. (I exaggerate, of course. It's only the most forgettable action game of the year.)

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 9.4 (out of 10) based on 73 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Anonymous One gave it a10:
One of the all-time greats in PC gaming. While many of the features of the Max Payne engine are standard fare today, they were revolutionary at its release. A great story, solid AI, Bullet Time and a cinematic playing environment still make this game an experience not to be missed.

Some User gave it a10:
Many hours of fast-paced action and great story. Unique noir movie-like setting and heart-touching events. Comic-screens are awesome and just better than videos in other games. A masterpiece.

Cody B gave it a10:
JustRPG & gamepen are SERIOUSLY inexperienced and unproffessional game reviewers. They have absolutly no idea what makes an epic storyline so memorable & revolutionary (probably because they never actually took the time & patience to get into the max payne storyline and understand it, they assume it isn't a good game and think it isn't, or maybe they're just complete dumbasses). Max payne is one of the best 3rd person shooters out there and deserved every one of thos awards (including BAFTA awards, the oscars of gaming) for revolutionizing 3D shooters and well-crafted storytelling. Not to mention the best new york city graphics in any game EVER. This genre-defining treat is an experience unlike many others, you take on the role on max payne, a cop who lost his wife and daughter to junkies connected to the mafia, then 3 years later, your'e framed for the murder of your best friend; memorable moments & jaw-dropping plot twists in this overwhelmingly popular video game. Max payne himself is THE ultimate badass of videogaming (next to solid snake, dante, & kratos)

Technicha gave it a9:
A game with such a great storyline. It tells it in a way that's very different from other games. I would have given this a 10 if it weren't for the flawed AI. They shoot you instantly on sight which makes the game play so much harder than it needs to be. The only way to get through the game sometimes is to open from a saved game and die. Then open it again and act differently until you get through. Apart from that it's a great game.

Rene D gave it a2:
I never played such a boring game. The graphics are boring too. Streets and boring buildings, that's all I see. If I had a photo-camera while walking in this game, I would throw it away. In one word: boring. Yes, bullet-time is boring too.

Praetor gave it a10:
This is one of my favorite games of all time to this day, a treat to play. Hoping for a Max Payne 3.

Michael S gave it a10:
I will stand by this forever as the best game I've ever played! An astonishing masterpiece that is frequently ripped off but will never be topped.

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