In a dreary and rain soaked nightscape, Detective Max Payne has found himself caught in a mystery. It seems that someone wants Payne dead and that person may be linked to a past lover long thought dead.
In Max Payne 2 gamers return to the gritty and violent world made famous in the first game. This is a world of dank dark buildings and flickering lights. A place where dangerous characters dwell around every corner, and the lines between friend and foe, right and wrong can become blurred.
The story is told via segments of flashbacks as events at the start of the game brilliantly foreshadow what is to come while preserving the twists and turns to the story. The plot unfolds at a methodical pace but is filled with numerous twists and turns that drive Max to the breaking point. More logical and less frustrating segments that better fit the tone of the game have replaced the frustrating segments of the previous game.
Max 2 sticks to the same graphic novel approach as the original as story panels and cut scenes work to setup and conclude game play segments, which are broken into chapters. The action is constant and the facial detail of the characters is spectacular and has greatly been enhanced from the previous game.
Max has a vast array of weapons at his disposal including shotguns, pistols, machine guns, and explosives. The bullet time effect from the first game is back allowing Max to slow time and dodge bullets with an impressive range of fluidity and control.
Max Payne 2 is a graphic marvel that allows gamers to become immersed in the gripping story. Some players may say that Max 2 only offers better graphics than the original but I say it is a well-crafted and entertaining game that makes me look forward to Max 3
5 stars out of 5
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