I wonder how did Max Payne manage to be a trilogy. I mean, I get the importance of the first game, but its sequel felt so... odd.
Max Payne 2 isn't a bad game, by no means. By repeating most of the formula that made the first game so memorable, this sequel works fine. It just doesn't excel, develops or improves anything at all.
The writing is as good as the first game, the gameplay mechanics implemented in the first Max Payne still feels cool, the noir atmosphere still looms over the story in a very compelling way, comic-book-like cutscenes are still great to look at, the environments are still impressive for a game of that time, voice acting is top-notch and the soundtrack is smooth.
The story is very melancholic and dark. More than the first game, I'd say. And it works. Actually, as the chapters go by, things just keep getting better. Especially the ending, which is well written and heatrbreaking. In a good way.
Max and Mona steal the show in this game. In fact, I think their complicated relationship is the biggest driving force in this game. That and the 6 hours or so that you'll spend mindlessly shooting thugs, I guess.
With all that said, it's safe to assume that Max Payne 2 is a good game. Like the first one. But that's the problem. Most of this game's positive points are VERY similar to the first one. It's just too similar. And that also applies to the game's flaws.
Clunky aiming, at times too edgy, unnecessary bad platforming moments, poor and repetitive level design, atrocious final level, weak replay factor, constant framerate drop, so on and so forth.
Max Payne 2 relies heavily on the first game, not trying new things and definitely not fixing old mistakes.
It's a short and bittersweet game. Definitely not better than the first, while managing to tell an intriguing depressive story.
If you're a fan of the series, or maybe you just really want to check the trilogy out, I can recommend this to you. Otherwise, there's not much of a reason to do it.
Max Payne 2 isn't a bad game, by no means. By repeating most of the formula that made the first game so memorable, this sequel works fine. It just doesn't excel, develops or improves anything at all.
The writing is as good as the first game, the gameplay mechanics implemented in the first Max Payne still feels cool, the noir atmosphere still looms over the story in a very compelling way, comic-book-like cutscenes are still great to look at, the environments are still impressive for a game of that time, voice acting is top-notch and the soundtrack is smooth.
The story is very melancholic and dark. More than the first game, I'd say. And it works. Actually, as the chapters go by, things just keep getting better. Especially the ending, which is well written and heatrbreaking. In a good way.
Max and Mona steal the show in this game. In fact, I think their complicated relationship is the biggest driving force in this game. That and the 6 hours or so that you'll spend mindlessly shooting thugs, I guess.
With all that said, it's safe to assume that Max Payne 2 is a good game. Like the first one. But that's the problem. Most of this game's positive points are VERY similar to the first one. It's just too similar. And that also applies to the game's flaws.
Clunky aiming, at times too edgy, unnecessary bad platforming moments, poor and repetitive level design, atrocious final level, weak replay factor, constant framerate drop, so on and so forth.
Max Payne 2 relies heavily on the first game, not trying new things and definitely not fixing old mistakes.
It's a short and bittersweet game. Definitely not better than the first, while managing to tell an intriguing depressive story.
If you're a fan of the series, or maybe you just really want to check the trilogy out, I can recommend this to you. Otherwise, there's not much of a reason to do it.