Overview

Developer: Remedy Entertainment
Publisher: 3D Realms
Max Payne homepage: http://maxpayne.godgames.com/main.htm

Cut the hype

Max Payne, the man with nothing to lose. Max Payne, the Matrix slow-motion game. Max Payne, in development for four years. Until two months ago, that was pretty much all we knew about this title from Remedy Entertainment. Remedy, and publisher 3DRealms wisely kept a tight lid on Max throughout development. There would be no hype to spoil what the game is about long before it's done, there would be no secrets to be revealed and copied by other developers, and there was an aura of mystery about what the game would be about. Recent previews have spoiled some of that mystery, but there is are still a few tricks left up Max's bag.

In the game, you play an undercover police officer from whom the game gets its title. Without ruining the plot too much, we can tell you that three years ago Max lost his wife and baby daughter. With a friend in the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) pushing him to work undercover, and no family to take care of anymore, Max bows to the pressure and becomes a hood, working his way through the mob in pursuit of the source of a new drug called Valkyr. His case takes a nasty turn as he becomes framed for the murder of his friend and police contact, and the mob is tipped off to his undercover status.

ZING!

Death in full panoromic view

Max has learned a lot from his ghetto years

Maxed out

With no family, no friends and no allies, Max becomes the man with nothing to lose. He is bent on vengeance and won't stop until everyone in his path is dead. The story is presented in a comic book/graphic novel style, complete with panels and dark artwork. The writing looks like it was lifted from a bad detective novel, though is used to great effect. The pulp fiction style takes itself too seriously and knows it, often poking fun at in-game situations and game itself.

As a character, Max himself resembles Porter (Mel Gibson) from Payback, as, indeed, does the general plot of the game. Max finds himself continually moving up the underground ladder in pursuit of the person behind all his misery. He has the potential to become a real icon among gamers but feels somewhat undeveloped despite all the cut-scenes and dialogue. Then again, developing Max further would have possibly pushed the serious aspect of the game too far.

It's even cheesier when you hear him say it	Tanker explosion	Professional floor demolishers at work
A lethal game of peek-a-boo	Stop moving!	He's Jack's Regret at Opening the Door