90
A great FPS. The most serious problem we have with the game is stability – we lost all of our save games at one point, and experienced random freezes fairly frequently.
30
In the style of PC Gamer's David Manningesque vocabulary, Max Payne is the most forgettable action game in history. (I exaggerate, of course. It's only the most forgettable action game of the year.)
80
Its predominant flaw is that it whets our appetite for something unimaginably amazing but only fulfills half of that unveiled promise.
9
Another all time classic that’s still holds up insanely well to this day. The game that eventually began the legendary run of Remedy Entertainment as an awesome development studio, their first adventure is still an awesome game that is just as visceral and fun as it was. The excellent gunplay, fair sense of challenge, unique premise, pacing, and the execution from start to finish is a satisfying and engaging adventure from start to finish. My only major complaint is the optimization without fixes within the configuration, but once you implement them, it’s not much of a hassle to get through. For a 25 year old PC game from 2001, Max Payne still lands as one of Remedy’s best and a perfect humble beginning for a studio that would eventually get bizarre with their Connected Universe. This game is certainly deserving of its status as a classic for a reason. This game gets a 9 out of 10. Truly an awesome game that stands the test of its time from its beginning all the way to the satisfying conclusion.
10
[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]
10
Max Payne is one of the most influential third-person shooters ever made. Released in 2001, the game stands out for its dark noir atmosphere, cinematic storytelling, and groundbreaking "bullet time" mechanic, which allows players to slow down time during gunfights. This feature made combat feel stylish, strategic, and incredibly **** story follows Max Payne, a former police detective seeking revenge after the brutal murder of his wife and daughter. The narrative is told through graphic novel-style panels, creating a unique presentation that perfectly matches the game's gritty tone. The dialogue is memorable, and Max's inner monologues add emotional depth to the experience.Gameplay is fast-paced and rewarding, with responsive controls and exciting shootouts. Although the level design can feel linear by modern standards, it successfully maintains tension and keeps players engaged throughout the campaign.Visually, the game shows its age, but its artistic direction and moody environments still hold up remarkably well. The haunting soundtrack further enhances the feeling of loneliness and despair.Overall, Max Payne remains a classic that revolutionized action games. While some mechanics may feel dated today, its compelling story, unforgettable atmosphere, and innovative gameplay make it a must-play for fans of cinematic shooters.
Max Payne
Released On:
Jul 23, 2001
Metascore
Generally Favorable
89
User score
Generally Favorable
8.9
My Score
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Metascore
Generally Favorable
89
94% Positive
30 Reviews
30 Reviews
3% Mixed
1 Review
1 Review
3% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
100
The most important action game yet made for the PC. Well worth the long wait.
95
There's an air of amusing determination to everything Max does. All the murdering is very satisfying for that reason.
User score
Generally Favorable
8.9
90% Positive
2518 Ratings
2518 Ratings
9% Mixed
251 Ratings
251 Ratings
1% Negative
42 Ratings
42 Ratings
Jul 7, 2026
10
Max Payne is one of the most influential third-person shooters ever made. Released in 2001, the game stands out for its dark noir atmosphere, cinematic storytelling, and groundbreaking "bullet time" mechanic, which allows players to slow down time during gunfights. This feature made combat feel stylish, strategic, and incredibly **** story follows Max Payne, a former police detective seeking revenge after the brutal murder of his wife and daughter. The narrative is told through graphic novel-style panels, creating a unique presentation that perfectly matches the game's gritty tone. The dialogue is memorable, and Max's inner monologues add emotional depth to the experience.Gameplay is fast-paced and rewarding, with responsive controls and exciting shootouts. Although the level design can feel linear by modern standards, it successfully maintains tension and keeps players engaged throughout the campaign.Visually, the game shows its age, but its artistic direction and moody environments still hold up remarkably well. The haunting soundtrack further enhances the feeling of loneliness and despair.Overall, Max Payne remains a classic that revolutionized action games. While some mechanics may feel dated today, its compelling story, unforgettable atmosphere, and innovative gameplay make it a must-play for fans of cinematic shooters.
92
A tad on the short side (under 20 hours), which I could overlook if some multiplayer support was included, but other than that small complaint, I thought the game was nearly flawless.
90
It kicks some serious ass. We’re talking impressive graphics, great story, excellent atmosphere, great music, hilarious (though sometimes forced) one-liners, great puns on games/movies, you name it, it’s there.
90
While it only takes about ten hours to complete Max Payne, it will be ten of the best hours you’ve spent on a computer in a long time.
85
It is a good thing the gunplay is so exciting in this game, as there is not a lot else on offer.
30
In the style of PC Gamer's David Manningesque vocabulary, Max Payne is the most forgettable action game in history. (I exaggerate, of course. It's only the most forgettable action game of the year.)
Dec 12, 2024
7
Awesome for it's time, but I like the second game's atmoshpere better. Max Payne 2 is really immersive, while first game is beyond it's time, bad sound design and the lack of smooth animations is pretty noticable.
Sep 28, 2024
7
Max Payne is a milestone that challenges the moral standard of acceptable violence and secrecy through storytelling. Discover the endless conspiracy of atrocities absent of both justice and accountability. It is atmospheric, dramatic, grimy, and symbolic. Expect disgusting crime, unholy sin, and absolute corruption to the maximum pain for the unsuspecting innocent.
Nov 12, 2021
4
Entiendo que sea una obra casi clásica, pero a día de hoy es infumable, no hay por dónde cogerlo.
Jan 13, 2021
4
Pretty decent game, and even holds up pretty well today. The only reason I give it a below average score is the bugs. Sounds during cutscenes don't play 90% of the time, and the music never plays. I'm not sure if it's an issue with my game specifically or with the PC port as a whole, but some other people have also had these issues. Besides that, the game is pretty fun. The shooting mechanics and slow motion are really fun additions, although it can be unfair, because enemies are placed behind walls with shotguns, and one hit kill you before you have time to react.
SummaryMax Payne is a man with nothing to lose in the violent, cold urban night. A fugitive undercover cop framed for murder, and now hunted by cops and the mob. A man with his back against the wall, fighting a battle he cannot hope to win. Prepare for pain with this much-anticipated 3rd-person shooter. [Rockstar Games]
Rated Mfor Mature
Platforms:
- PlayStation 2
- Xbox
- PC
- PlayStation 4
- Dreamcast
- iOS (iPhone/iPad)
Initial Release Date:Jul 23, 2001
Developer:
Publisher:Gathering of Developers
