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Max Payne

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Max Payne
80
7.4 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 21 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 24 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Rockstar Games / 3D Realms

Developer: Remedy

Genre(s): Action, Third-Person Shooter

Players: 1

ESRB Rating: M (Mature)

Release Date: December 7, 2001

Summary

Max Payne is a man with nothing to lose in the violent, cold urban night. A fugitive undercover cop framed for murder, and now hunted by cops and the mob. A man with his back against the wall, fighting a battle he cannot hope to win. Prepare for pain with this much-anticipated 3rd-person shooter. [Rockstar Games]

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...

90

GameShark

Yes, this game has the power to rip families apart, it's that cool. With nice graphics, violence, swearing, and Matrix-style camera angles galore, this is a must-have for action game fans.

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90

Hot Games

If you want the hard-boiled action of "Grand Theft Auto III" up close and personal, this is the game for you.

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90

GamePro

The Dual Shock organizes controls logically and offers the sharp response, especially considering the cool Bullet Time and Shootdodge aspects, which slow down time for Matrix-style gunfights.

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83

TotalGames.net

While it’s tricky to recommend a game that doesn’t run too well on a piece of hardware with static tech-specs, the fact remains that, gawd bless ’im, old Max had us entirely enthralled until the end of his adventure.

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82

Electric Playground

This excellent, visceral shooter is just the tiniest bit on the short side, but remember what the man said: In a New York Minute, everything can change.

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81

IGN

Delivers non-stop, ultra cool, and fun-as-hell action. And I highly recommend it on the PS2, if that's the only system you own. But if you own a PC or an Xbox, definitely skip this version, as it's the weakest of the trio in every aspect.

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80

PSM Magazine

While the graphics are generally well done, the framerate gets sketchy when there’s a lot going on. [Feb 2002, p.46]

80

Yahoo! Games

It's original, foreboding, action-packed and full of dark humour, uplifting surprises and plenty of serious shooting for you to get to grips with.

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80

Official U.S. Playstation Magazine

Bullet Time…just looks so friggin’ neat. [Feb 2002, p.110]

80

GameSpot

The game loses much of the original PC version's polish in translation to the PS2--loading times are bad, and the game's sluggish frame rate and blurry textures aren't flattering, especially if you've seen the far-superior-looking PC and Xbox versions...Otherwise outstanding.

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80

Total Video Games

The overly detailed and crisp textures have been downgraded, character models sport lower polygon counts, on occasion the framerate becomes extremely choppy.

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79

Gamezilla!

I can’t help but caution people that as a PC owner, Max Payne for the PS2 won’t get much gameplay while I’ve still got the PC version on my shelf.

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78

Game Informer

The control is not nearly as fluid as it needs to be. [Feb 2002, p.84]

78

GameSpy

So much of what makes this game cool is lost in translation to a less potent platform. If the PS2 is your lone system, you'll still have a good time, but may be left wondering what all the hype was about.

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75

Electronic Gaming Monthly

Once Bullet Time’s novelty wears off, you’re left with a repetitive shooter, blasting the same species of enemy over and over. [Feb 2002, p.158]

75

Game Revolution

While not without its flaws, Max Payne is a solid addition to any PS2 library, provided you didn't play the PC version, you don't have an Xbox and you aren't just itching to see Max on your big screen TV.

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73

GamerWeb Sony

Somehow Remedy Entertainment made the PS2 look like an old man when compared to the new console and the tried and true personal computer.

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70

All Game Guide

Even if the overall experience is a bit too short, the length to which it goes to inspire some real John Woo-style gunplay and adrenaline is impressive and definitely deserves praise.

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70

PSX Nation

Unfortunately, like other games that have an incredible opening act but don't know how to close the show (certain overhyped Konami action/stealth game come to mind?), "Max Payne" sometimes falls into "Soul Reaver 2"-like pretentions of grandeur that fall short.

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67

XenGamers

It just can’t match up to the PC and Xbox versions due to the difference in graphics quality and the lack of an important gameplay element.

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50

GamePen

On the Playstation, it’s (practically) just as fun [as the PC], but the additional flaws it picks up really cut into the experience. I’d seriously flag this as a “rent first” title.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 7.4 (out of 10) based on 24 User Votes

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

Cody B gave it a10:
Not since final fantasy 8 has a game been so good that it sucked me away from my social life. A multiple award-winning revolution for gaming back in 2001 (of course in competition with metal gear solid 2, gta 3, halo, and devil may cry) and won the hearts of many die-hard gamers such as myself. It's not necessarily a game to hate nor is it a game to give your own kids up for but all the while, it's a revolutionary experience that all gamers should give a chance!

Vid M. gave it an8:
Bloody, good fun! Max wins the "Most Bomb Facial Expression" Award. Very short, but worth a few bucks to pick it up used.

John J. gave it a3:
I dont like the part where theres total darkness and he has to find a way out....it made me hate the game bcos that was stupid.

Mueed M. gave it a 7:
I haven't played any other version of this game, but I kinda liked it. I got annoyed because I couldn't skip cinematics and once you die, you re load the game. A "7" is a pretty generous rating.

PIRANHA G. gave it a 7:
It´s a shame that this game is so short otherwise it would be perfect.

Ziggy Stardust gave it a 6:
A very weak port. This is the worst version of Max Payne you could get.

Bog Man gave it a 9:
I haven't played any other version but i don't care, i'm still playing 6 months on. There is nothing else quite like it on ps2. It's similar to Deus Ex in the fact that it may not be the best conversion but the gameplay will suck you in.

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