Max Payne

 PlayStation 2
Max Payne Image
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 150 Ratings

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  • 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-personMax 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]… Expand
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Max Payne Movie 6

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. GameShark
    90
    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.
  2. GamePro
    90
    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.
  3. Electric Playground
    82
    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.
  4. Total Video Games
    80
    The overly detailed and crisp textures have been downgraded, character models sport lower polygon counts, on occasion the framerate becomes extremely choppy.
  5. GameSpy
    78
    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.
  6. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    75
    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]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. GamePen
    50
    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.

See all 21 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 40
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 40
  3. Negative: 5 out of 40
  1. kyle20ellis
    Mar 9, 2022
    10
    Rated M for Violence,Blood,Language and Some Sexual Content.

    I thought that 2001 was a great year for video games we had Grand Theft Auto    Rated M for Violence,Blood,Language and Some Sexual Content.

    I thought that 2001 was a great year for video games we had Grand Theft Auto 3(I have not played it but I did play Vice City and San Andreas and both were excellent).There was Halo one of the best first person shooter games in recent years and then we have Max Payne.An excellent video game with great graphics,awesome gameplay and a good story.Max Payne is a gritty crime story about a cop who seeks revenge against the thugs who murdered his wife and child while also being framed for the murder of his friend.He must find and get revenge on the people who killed his family and clear his name.Max Payne introduces something new in a video game.That is Bullettime.Most of us saw the movie The Matrix which invented bullettime.Bullettime is basically a slow motion gun battle.In Max Payne you can kill people in slow motion.Max Payne is a very fun and good game with great graphics and gameplay and a good story to back the game up.Max Payne 2 The Fall Of Max Payne in my opinion is just as good as this one.

    10/10    … Expand
  2. AdamS.
    Feb 4, 2002
    10
    I believe this game is the best and couln't get any better. IT KICKS ASS.
  4. Txuso
    Feb 25, 2023
    9
    Como pude perderme esta joya de la ps2 en la adolescencia... Jugado en la PS4 y me ha parecido de culto. Aunque... tiene varias cosas que danComo pude perderme esta joya de la ps2 en la adolescencia... Jugado en la PS4 y me ha parecido de culto. Aunque... tiene varias cosas que dan dolor de cabeza:
    - no tener una posibilidad de ir lento caminando.
    - los niveles que vas drogado son dolor de huevos.
    - las granadas en general.    … Expand
  5. TheDudeFromIce
    Nov 29, 2015
    8
    Having not played this game till only this year, I massively regret not playing it earlier. The game obviously shows its age in the graphicsHaving not played this game till only this year, I massively regret not playing it earlier. The game obviously shows its age in the graphics department but everything else is terrific. Story is among the best I've ever experienced and just the whole creepiness of the setting is brilliant. The gunplay is terrific and very satisfying and can't forget about Bullet Time which is such a genius thing to include.

    The PS2 version does have some slowdown at times but nothing to terrible. PC version is probably better in many ways but the PS2 version is solid enough for anyone.    … Expand
  6. Raymond86
    Jul 9, 2022
    8
    The noir game of the PS2 era. The action gameplay was about a decade ahead of its time.
  7. PIRANHAG.
    Jul 6, 2003
    7
    It´s a shame that this game is so short otherwise it would be perfect.
  8. BrandonH.
    Feb 12, 2002
    2
    Graphics on this game are terrible. They look like real photos embedded into the game. I would not recommend this game.

See all 40 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

45
#45 Best PS2 Game of 2001
18
#18 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2001
11
#11 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2001