Max Payne

Simply the finest action game. Ever.

I was first aware of the existence of Remedy and Max Payne, way back in the halcyon days of '98. When Prey was to be the 'next-generation', Half-Life was years away, and Quake 2 ruled the proverbial roost. Of course much as changed since then, and in the four years that have past, the action game genre has progressed in leaps and bounds, fuelled by constant graphical improvements and the burgeoning popularity of on-line gaming. Max Payne, however, marks something of an overhaul of the genre once again, and I've no doubt whatsoever that the advancements present in Max Payne will be imitated and will influence countless unreleased titles of the future. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the finest singleplayer action game ever.

So what is it that makes Max Payne quite so superlative? Well, I've reasoned it out like this: before Max Payne, interactive action games could never imitate the sheer tension and gripping action of a good Hollywood blockbuster, until Max Payne, that is. For Max Payne introduces a style and approach to action from a perspective that adds sheer cinematic perfection to every sequence, yet maintains totally the players sense of control over the action. In short, Max Payne is a work of gaming genius. I've yet to witness a game that carries in it such audacious and accomplished style, and maintains it throughout, constantly surprising the enveloped player with twists in the plot and stunning action sequences. The set-piece action of Half-Life doesn't even compare to this.

This cinematic ambience is enhanced by the use of a third-person perspective, as the camera sweeps majestically around corners and moves fluidly with the player. Never does Max suffer Lara's problem of a camera ending-up lodged in a wall. The control system, which fits nicely in with the camera system, also adds to the movie-esque feel, as it is quick to master, and highly intuitive, with dramatic flashbacks, never detracting from the sense of immersion instead enhancing it. The control of weapons and aiming is simple enough too, and the Matrix style slow motion action sequences are truly breathtaking, adding far more to the gaming experience than a mere gimmick. Which leads me on to the graphics…