After the huge success of Max Payne, a sequel was inevitable to be made. And what a sequel it is...
Taking place a few years later from the first game, Max has moved back to the NYPD and is as cynical as ever before. Whilst on his new case he meets up with an assassin named Mona Sax and the plot only gets better from their. The graphic novel style returns from the first game in a more sleeker and more comic book style. Cutscenes that were pretty much absent from the first game are well done and give the game a film like feel.
Gameplay has also improved. Action is a lot more fluent and fast paced, and bullet time has become a lot easy to use. This time the bullet time allows the player to mow through enemies easily and a clever quick reload system keeps the action fun and not frustrating. Slow moments in Max Payne 2 are rare and the game is fun from beginning to end.
Graphics show off the best of the graphical ability of the time and never seem to pull you out of the game. Little details bring the experience alive such as the police station level which makes you feel like a cop in this busy and characteristic work place.
I only have two minor complaints. 1) The Mona Sax missions can be frustrating and appear to be the worst parts of the game and, 2) The over exaggerated blood from the first game has been toned down immensely and is definitely missed as it gave the first game a John Woo like feel. It's a weird change as the rest of the game is filled with stronger language and more adult themes.
These cons aside, this is one of the best games I've played in a while and may even be one of my favourite games. Definite purchase for fans of the original, third person shooters and slow mo action games.
Taking place a few years later from the first game, Max has moved back to the NYPD and is as cynical as ever before. Whilst on his new case he meets up with an assassin named Mona Sax and the plot only gets better from their. The graphic novel style returns from the first game in a more sleeker and more comic book style. Cutscenes that were pretty much absent from the first game are well done and give the game a film like feel.
Gameplay has also improved. Action is a lot more fluent and fast paced, and bullet time has become a lot easy to use. This time the bullet time allows the player to mow through enemies easily and a clever quick reload system keeps the action fun and not frustrating. Slow moments in Max Payne 2 are rare and the game is fun from beginning to end.
Graphics show off the best of the graphical ability of the time and never seem to pull you out of the game. Little details bring the experience alive such as the police station level which makes you feel like a cop in this busy and characteristic work place.
I only have two minor complaints. 1) The Mona Sax missions can be frustrating and appear to be the worst parts of the game and, 2) The over exaggerated blood from the first game has been toned down immensely and is definitely missed as it gave the first game a John Woo like feel. It's a weird change as the rest of the game is filled with stronger language and more adult themes.
These cons aside, this is one of the best games I've played in a while and may even be one of my favourite games. Definite purchase for fans of the original, third person shooters and slow mo action games.