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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games.
Max Payne
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 32 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 71 votes
Read user comments
Rate this game >
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...
Games Radar UK (Pre-2006)
The most important action game yet made for the PC. Well worth the long wait.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >2404.org
There's an air of amusing determination to everything Max does. All the murdering is very satisfying for that reason.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >GameSpot
Max Payne is rife with gunplay that's almost indescribably beautiful to watch--and yet actually playing it is even better.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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!
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >PC Gamer
If you’re looking for a great thrill ride, an interesting story, and bleeding-edge technology, Max Payne delivers all of them.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >Gamer.tv
An instantly accessible, visually stunning and technically impressive tour de force. It's also immense fun to play.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >Electric Playground
But in the end, this fantastic engine and solid concept is hobbled by routine shooter gameplay.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >Yahoo! Games
Its predominant flaw is that it whets our appetite for something unimaginably amazing but only fulfills half of that unveiled promise.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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.)
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this game is 9.3 (out of 10) based on 71 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
John C. gave it a10:
A great game. Better than the Sequel.
James H. gave it a10:
Deeply immersive and incredibly exciting...one of my all-time favourite games.
SHODAN gave it a9:
Refreshing game-play with storytelling that is well-written and executed with style. We get a glimpse in to the minds of characters - a thing seldom held to importance these days.
Cristiano M. gave it a9:
A very good game with some very frustrating dream sequences. For once, I can say that one sequel is superior to the original although, of course, the impact that the first installment of the series could offer to the player is unmatched.
Andy D. gave it a10:
Only one 3rd person shooter game is better than Max Payne, and that is Max Payne II.
Dave D. gave it a10:
One of the best Games in Computer History.
Awin S. gave it a10:
Excellent,simply excellent.It is a game which make your heart beat ten times faster.
