Those screenshots are quite impressive but you need more?

Part Four: Gameplay

In what is arguably the most important section of this review, how will Max shape up? The most important aspect contained within the gameplay of Max Payne is simplicity. Yet, as I stated before, brain surgery this is not but that makes the game no less involving, enjoyable and just down right fun to play! However, bear in mind that lurking beneath the surface of this glamorous and extravagant shooter is an involving detective story. Cliqued at times it may be, but nevertheless, if you wish to engage with it, the plot and detective work can be excellent. A large transparent exclamation mark appears above the character's head when either a switch, diary, letter or such like is found. This almost guarantees the player that getting lost on these wonderfully designed levels is out of the question. You may skip past most of the story if you wish, but you would be robbing yourself of another great aspect of this game. Another great feature of the game is the 'self-adjusting difficulty'. You must beat the game on the first and easiest level to gain access to the harder versions. The amazing thing is that even on the first level the game will adjust the game to suit your style of play. If you are breezing through the game dispatching your enemies with relative ease then the game will adjust. The AI will get better and shots will more often than not find their way toward you. Conversely, if you are finding the going a little tougher, the AI becomes less and the shots will start missing more. A wonderful feature which never gets in the way but always contributes to your overall enjoyment of the game.

Part Five: Testing

So you really wish to purchase the game yet your PC has seen better days? Fear not because 3DVelocity uses a strict testing policy to ensure that the games we review will be suitable for your machine. I have used two machines at somewhat opposite ends of the proverbial scale for this review. They are as follows: -

1. Pentium 2 400mhz @ 448mhz (450mhz being the minimum spec), 256megs of pny pc100 Cas 3 ram, Creative Geforce2 Mx DDR 32meg 3d card.

2.Amd Athlon 1GHz, 256megs of Crucial pc133 Cas 2 ram, ATI Radeon 64meg Vivo.

I started up test system one and hastily installed the game expecting to be very disappointed with the choppy graphics. I couldn't have been more wrong! Thanks to the installers recommendations for detail I was playing with graphics the like of which I never thought would grace this aging system. A truly amazing experience, wholly playable and still looking damn good. Some graphical details were missing but if you are worrying about buying this game as you have an older PC then worry no more. If your setup matches our testbed one then I can say you will not be disappointed! You may even find new life in your old machine you never knew was there.

The true test was just how good this game could look. The installer had selected high detail for every option available on system two.....so far so good. The game looks truly stunning on this high end PC. I haven't seem 3d this good ever. That's not a heat of the moment type statement either. This game can, and will, take your breath away. If you have a great PC at home then get ready to experience an amazing game with amazing visual treats around every corner.

Have a look at Max Payne requirements and extras here.

Part Six: Conclusions

This was never going to be an easy game to review. The hype that surrounded it rendered it impossible to remain completely unbiased nevertheless here are my conclusions.

Max Payne is an amazing experience; never has a game portrayed the feeling of being in the movies with quite such starling accuracy. It really is a game you must rush out and purchase. However, it's not, and never could be, the 'greatest game ever'. It ranks alongside the all time great's but I will resist the naïve temptation to go a tad overboard. Bullettime renders the possibility of multiplayer options almost impossible to implement, but it's such an immersing experience in single payer mode that this can be easily overlooked. A nice feature was to include a level editor for the game. While complex, this opens the game up to all the mod's and such like we saw at the height of the fps shooter phenomenon. So to finish then; this game is a true great. A wonderful gaming experience that should be at the top of your wanted list. Whether the game will stand the test of time remains to be seen. One things for sure though; you should not pass up the opportunity to engage in the most explosive action shooter for a long, long time.

Part Seven: Screenshots Part 2

 

I hope you have enjoyed perusing this review, if you have any questions or comments please don't hesitate to contact me. Thank you for your input. - Martyn