Max Payne
Simply the finest action game. Ever.
Arguably the best-looking action title ever, the urban decay of the New York environments of Max Payne certainly don't lack in atmosphere, as the crisp, dark scenery is embellished with all manner of subtle detail. I can see why this took so many years to create. The detail of enemy hoodlums and the like is also excellent, and the animation and weapon-fire highly realistic. The artificial intelligence of foes isn't found lacking either, though most bad guys are easily foiled with a spot of slow-motion dive-and-firing with the trusty shotgun.
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The cut-sequences and cinematic action sequences do much to enhance the atmosphere too, as cars explode Die Hard-style, and Max over-hears the gangsters discussions, revealing more about the story. The story. Nothing too original on this front, but like much in the game, you'd be more likely to find it in Hollywood than E3, as the plot thickens and the 'desperate Cop on a mission for revenge' plotline comes into play. The dialogue is unsurprisingly hammy, though intensifies the thick atmosphere and rich interwoven plot.
So what else is of wholesome goodness in Max Payne? Well, the voice acting is… okay. Given that the dialogue consists of purest cheese it is unsurprisingly less than brilliant, yet this element still doesn't detract from the overall experience. It's a shame Remedy thought it best not to include a multiplayer element within the game too, though this is not a bad or a good thing; just an opportunity missed. Afterall, the cinematic action, dark-brooding settings, and excellent weaponry could make for a superb and original multiplayer experience, though perhaps one that would have required rather too much time to implement. I fully expect and hope some form of Max Payne 'Tournament' pack or such like as an add-on at a later date…
To conclude then, Max Payne is nothing short of sheer cinematic glory, with a tension and atmosphere easily on a par with any of the top action movies of recent years. Max Payne really does mark a step in a new and exciting direction; and is a game that must be played at all costs. An essential edition to your games collection, providing you've got at least 4-500 Mhz worth of CPU to take advantage of it. So go and buy a copy, and join me in the New York underworld…
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