The Max Payne series and bullet-time...is it forced??...

[dave4shmups]

I'm very interested in both games in this series, for the XBOX (they are better on the XBOX) but does the bullet-time shooting that I've seen in videos for both games feel forced, or does it add to the enjoyment of the game? I love the bullet-time in Virtua Cop 3, because it allows me to target and shoot enemies with greater efficiency. Obviously that's a rail shooter, but does it do the same in the Max Payne series?

I've been thinking about picking these games up since I recently bought a 2005 mint-XBOX from my store, and these games came up when I asked, quite a while ago, about games similar to Headhunter, which I love.

[kengou]

Not entirely sure what you're asking. The bullet time is toggled with a button, you can use it at will.

I only played the games on the PC but I can't agree that the games are better on the xbox. With the PC you can aim very accurately and turn around much faster, which means slow-mo-diving-desert-eagle-headshots galore! Also there's a TON of AMAZING mods on the PC versions. Katana mod for Max Payne 1, Kung Fu mod for both, various Matrix Mods for both games, an Equilibrium mod for Max Payne 2... I got years of replay value out of the games on the PC thanks to the mods.

[Daigohji]

Unlike a lot of later games that have thrown in bullet time the same way that stealth became ubiquitous after MGS, gameplay in the Max Payne games is heavily based around use of the feature. Difficulty is heavily tilted towards creating scenarios where you will be thankful of bullet time, though you won't need to fling yourself around with John Woo style dodges all that often. I'd definitely recommend MP2 over the first game, as the controls feel smoother and it has a very addictive survival mode.

However, these are good games rather than masterpieces. Locations and action can become repetitive. Weapons are perfunctory. Generally, the games haven't aged all that well. Go in expecting a solid action title rather than a revelatory experience and you should enjoy them.

[Necronom]

Very cool game. Lots of fun and a surprisingly good neonoir plot.
Bt definitely adds to the enjoyment and style of the game but bt in MP2 is not only about shooting - you can do pretty cool looking slomo stunt jumps WHILE shooting. And yeah, like kengou said...lots of really fun mods on the PC.
Btw, the system requirements are very modest for today's standards...

[themachinist]

You WANT to be in bullet time.

[Shatterhand]

Unlike a lot of later games that have thrown in bullet time the same way that stealth became ubiquitous after MGS, gameplay in the Max Payne games is heavily based around use of the feature. Difficulty is heavily tilted towards creating scenarios where you will be thankful of bullet time, though you won't need to fling yourself around with John Woo style dodges all that often. I'd definitely recommend MP2 over the first game, as the controls feel smoother and it has a very addictive survival mode.

However, these are good games rather than masterpieces. Locations and action can become repetitive. Weapons are perfunctory. Generally, the games haven't aged all that well. Go in expecting a solid action title rather than a revelatory experience and you should enjoy them.

What he said. That's all the info you need

[dave4shmups]

Unlike a lot of later games that have thrown in bullet time the same way that stealth became ubiquitous after MGS, gameplay in the Max Payne games is heavily based around use of the feature. Difficulty is heavily tilted towards creating scenarios where you will be thankful of bullet time, though you won't need to fling yourself around with John Woo style dodges all that often. I'd definitely recommend MP2 over the first game, as the controls feel smoother and it has a very addictive survival mode.

However, these are good games rather than masterpieces. Locations and action can become repetitive. Weapons are perfunctory. Generally, the games haven't aged all that well. Go in expecting a solid action title rather than a revelatory experience and you should enjoy them.

What he said. That's all the info you need

Ok, thanks for all the feedback! Both are very cheap (under $5, at this point) and they sound like good 3rd person shooters, which is a genre that I love.

[Ed Oscuro]

I remember first seeing a small banner ad and blurb for Max Payne on the 3D Realms site back in...jeez, 97 or 98. I still haven't played it! Gotta fix that sometime...

[Twiddle]

I liked how if you had a fast computer the Mac-10 did hellacious amounts of damage, and if you had a slow one it was weak as hell.

[P_HAT]

MP/MP2 are one of best game ever.

[szycag]

I couldn't stomach five minutes of the first one on the PS2. It was just appalling. Just a bad port maybe.

[Ed Oscuro]

MP/MP2 are one of best game ever.

By your powers combined, I am suddenly one game

[Ruldra]

I played the original Max Payne for PC and enjoyed it a lot. For that price, it's definitely a good buy.

By the way, when you're shooting and your clip is running low, entering bullet mode will instantly refill it.

[Arvandor]

I really loved the first game on the PS2, despite the lack of mouse aim -_^ It was a lot of fun, and the noir style story I found to be very cool.

I should really find a copy of the second game. I know I'll love it, even if it's less noir than the first.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

And how is the GBA version of Max Payne? It's supposed to have voice-overs during gameplay.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[TWITCHDOCTOR]

I own the XBOX versions, and I really enjoy them both. I believe the story is well enough to keep you going, and I would have to recommend them a place in your collection.

To be honest, I've played through both at least 2 times each, and would play them again in the future. The only thing I disliked about the sequel was that the main character had a total facelift. Still, even this being true, both characters are likeable in their own right.

Its considered that in Max Payne 2 the character has aged throughout his traumatic life...but I disagree, they are two different people as far as I'm concerned.

[dpful]

My nephew is named Max Payne.... True

[Ed Oscuro]

Nice. Some of my ancestors were the Paines, and an alternate spelling is Payne. ;)

[sven666]

no controller config in max payne 2 made me sell that game altho i might have had it for ps2, cant remember, seemed like a good game otherwise.

why the hell do developers neglect proper controller configs anyways?

[Daigohji]

I used to know a dentist called Dr Payne. No joke. I also know a consultant psychiatrist who is a Dr Payne.

[P_HAT]

Guys, ps2 version sucks.

PC only and forever.

[worstplayer]

Guys, ps2 version sucks.

PC only and forever.

Couldn't agree more. Playing MP (or any game with analog aiming) with a joypad is like playing a shmup with mouse.
Seriously, try it on PC, it's much better.

[Acid King]

MP/MP2 are one of best game ever.

I agree. I played through each a half dozen times or more. The first one is much more strategic due to how the bullet time meter regenerates. You have to use the shoot dodge a lot more to conserve it. The changes to bullet time in the second one made it a lot quicker. You can just fucking annihilate hordes of enemies when you get good.

[dave4shmups]

Ok, so I finally got back to this game, and I'm finding that the auto-aim and auto-targeting seem to make no difference in game play. It's not like Headhunter, for example, where you lock onto one enemy at a time and can switch between targets. Which makes me wonder why both functions are included at all. Still, the game rocks, and early on you get enough weapons to take over Central America!

Question about the PC version-is the aiming more accurate with a mouse? I would tend to think so, as I'm getting sick of analog lag with this game, and with Return to Castle Wolfenstein.

[Acid King]

Honestly, I don't think I'd bother playing without a mouse/keyboard. I'm much more accurate with the mouse and if you play harder difficulties, head shots are a must.

[dave4shmups]

Honestly, I don't think I'd bother playing without a mouse/keyboard. I'm much more accurate with the mouse and if you play harder difficulties, head shots are a must.

Yeah, they are! The XBOX port is still a ton of fun, though. I may have to have a friend of mine build me a gaming PC, instead of getting one of the newer consoles. AFIK, you can use keyboard and mouse for FPS's on the PS3.

[kengou]

Honestly, I don't think I'd bother playing without a mouse/keyboard. I'm much more accurate with the mouse and if you play harder difficulties, head shots are a must.

Yeah, they are! The XBOX port is still a ton of fun, though. I may have to have a friend of mine build me a gaming PC, instead of getting one of the newer consoles. AFIK, you can use keyboard and mouse for FPS's on the PS3.

PS3 supports a mouse, but only a handful of games allow it. Get a gaming PC.

[Jockel]

The PC version of Max Payne 2 is just *insert creative good adjective here*

[dave4shmups]

A bit OT, would a game like Max Payne, from 2001, work on Vista? What about the upcoming Windows 7?

[Jockel]

They both work for me on Windows7.
Max Payne 1 is without music though, but that could be the fault of my pirated copy ;P