Max Payne Daily Review

Adrenaline Vault
http://www.avault.com/reviews/review_temp.asp?game=payne

Rating: 9/10 (Seal of Excellence award)

Taking a cue from The Matrix, Max Payne employs the stylized camera movement known as "Bullet-Time" where all action is slowed down to a point that you can actually see bullets whizzing through the air. This mode is not just for artistic license; players can trigger Bullet-Time to their advantage to perform incredible stunts and feats of agility, all while aiming and turning in real time to take down an uneven proportion of enemies.

As an action title borrowing elements from popular sources, Max Payne employs several instances of in-jokes that some players will be quick to recognize. There are a bunch of spoken and visual references to John Woo, Chow Yun Fat, The Professional, The Killer, and even Reservoir Dogs. Like in the spy game No One Lives Forever, some of the guards will talk among themselves while waiting for you to show up, quipping about action films, favorite actors, and even discussing the concept of Bullet-Time in length.

Max Payne is one of those memorable titles that people will be talking about for years to come. Its impressive graphics, gripping storyline, and fun use of Bullet-Time action elevates the game to the current standard that most others should aspire to.

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Posted by Joe Siegler on October 18, 2001 at 2:05 PM | Permalink
News Categories: Max Payne