Max Payne is the game everyone has been waiting for. After four years in development, games can usually be expected to let us down. I'm here to say that, while it's not perfect, Max Payne is one of the best action games ever created.
The story itself is great stuff. Filled to the brim with metaphor and dark, twisted passages, the writing in Max Payne is excellent. The story is mostly told through graphic novel type breaks in the action, and the voice acting is nothing but extraordinary. The story also is emotionally gripping, pulling the gamer into the dark underground world Payne has to explore.
The graphics and sound are just as excellent. The environments are dark and gritty, filled with cool touches like fountains and pop machines that really work. The sound is cool, with some great weapon effects, explosions, and environmental effects that will alert you to the sound of approaching enemies.
The gameplay is dominated by the revolutionary "Bullet Time." This incredible effect slows down time so you can blast away at enemies, dodging through the air like John McClane or Chow Yun-Fat, you now have the ability to play an action sequence like it's portrayed in the movies. You'll be absolutely floored the first time you get used to Bullet Time, and you watch as shells slowly pop out of your weapon, the bad guy rolls back after a lethal hit, and you roll to the ground safely, only to turn and face another enemy. Incredible.
While that's the most significantly original feature in Max Payne, the rest of the game is enjoyable too. There is almost never a stop to the furious action, and you'll soon discover that not only is Bullet Time a cool effect, it's absolutely necessary to get through the game. You'll use an enjoyable assortment of weapons, from baseball bats to dual Ingrams to grenade launchers. Even hardcore action fans aren't going to get bored with the weapons in Payne.
The game was rumored to be on the short side before release, and it's certainly true. Most gamers won't find it too difficult to get through the game in a weekend or week... but it really doesn't lessen the experience. You're left feeling like every second was worth it, and, in all honesty, if it were too much longer the game would run the risk of becoming repetitive.
I have a feeling that Max Payne is going to be remembered for a long, long time. The tools for creating modifications have all been included with the game, and that opens up the game for almost limitless replay ability in the future. Much like how the mod community has supported Half-Life, I'd bet the same will happen to Max Payne. It's truly the action game of the year, and shouldn't be missed by anyone wanting to experience an incredible action thrill-ride.
-Jerred
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