Another one of Rockstar‘s iconic video game trilogies is returning, and that groundbreaking series is Max Payne. Remedy, the original developers, are reuniting with Rockstar to remake the first two Max Payne games and its signature neo-noir world. This begs the question, are these classic games from the PlayStation 2 era worth playing today?
Max Payne, a beloved third-person shooter franchise, hasn’t received a new installment in 10 years. The series is best known for pushing the shooter genre forward by implementing bullet time, a cinematic gameplay mechanic where players slow down time to dodge bullets and kill criminals with style and precision. Although Rockstar owns the rights, Remedy originally developed the first two games before Rockstar worked on Max Payne 3 internally without Remedy’s involvement. Remedy’s remakes will be rebuilt from the ground up using their own Northlight game engine, breathing new life into Max Payne for the modern age to appreciate.
Today, Remedy is best known for supernatural shooters like Control and Alan Wake. However, before that, they were digging into the gritty underbelly of organized crime dramas with their first fully 3D title, Max Payne. Players take on the role of Max Payne, a jaded ex-New York police detective who becomes entangled with a drug trafficking ring while trying to solve his family’s murder.
The story is told through stunning comic book pages narrated by Max himself, whose gravelly voice captures the melancholic noir atmosphere. Although the story may seem a bit too cliché and straightforward compared to the intricate video game narratives of today, these slick comic book cutscenes still hold up and captivate players. The comic panels combine with stellar voice performances and an intense score to create a timeless presentation. It’s truly impressive for a 20-year-old game.
Luckily, the stylish presentation carries over into gameplay. The game is a third-person shooter filled with firefights inside dingy New York sewers, warehouses, and apartments. Shooting feels fast-paced and fluid despite lacking the typical accoutrements of modern shooters, such as a cover system.
Diving headfirst into enemy gunfire using bullet time and peppering enemies with dual berettas just before crashing onto the floor hasn’t gotten old in 20 years. This movement system fits in nicely alongside the modern-day push for shooters to provide more mobility options during combat. Short and sweet third-person shooters like this aren’t as common nowadays, which makes revisiting Max Payne a refreshing and unique experience.
Remedy’s sequel, Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne, is more of the same in all the right ways. The style of the original, from the gameplay to the presentation, carries over well to this shorter sequel. It may be leaner, but it’s definitely meaner, with tight level design, useful gameplay improvements, and a better story filled with compelling twists and turns. Amping up the level variety with unique set pieces and a whole new playable character improves the pacing and helps keep players engaged. Since Max Payne 2 shares a lot with its predecessor, it makes sense that Remedy would remake both together as one larger game.
However, fans would have to wait for an entirely new console generation before seeing Max Payne 3 finally released. Rockstar developed the game without Remedy’s help and made significant changes to Max Payne’s signature style and gameplay. Gone were the gritty comic book pages — fans were instead treated to an interesting compromise of in-game cutscenes edited together with split-screen visual effects to mimic the original’s comic book style. With Remedy switching to Northlight engine for the remakes, it’ll be interesting to see if they commit to the original comic book pages or create new in-game cutscenes similar to Max Payne 3.
Gameplay also went through a massive overhaul in Max Payne 3, with Rockstar’s complex RAGE physics engine adding weight and heft to the game’s gunplay, setting it apart from the fluid and lightweight movement of its predecessors. A cover system was added too, but bullet time remained, allowing for fascinating experimentation when combined with the new physics. While fans are split on whether the gameplay changes are an improvement over the original’s, Max Payne 3 continues to be a fun third-person shooter worth checking out regardless. It may provide insight into what a more modern Max Payne title could look like.
Old fans and newcomers to the Max Payne franchise will both find plenty of enjoyment playing these classic titles in 2022. The announcement of these remakes should get any shooter fan excited to play through Max Payne and learn why this series has made such an impact in gaming history.
