I finished Max Payne 2 today. I didn’t realize going into this how much Max Payne had setup for other Remedy Games, specifically Alan Wake. The in-game show Address Unknown has so much in Common with Alan Wake II such as the evil double, alternate reality New York, and the implication of a “Next Level”. it’s uncanny.

There was also the in game show Lords & Ladies, which i would be lying if i said i didn’t stop to watch every episode I saw.

I also liked how it had you switching back and forth between Max and Mona, and also had missions where you had to escort the other. It did it in the right quantity where you were being forced into a escort mission every 5 minutes. Having to cover Max with sniper fire as Mona was especially fun, and seeing how their stories met up was awesome.

The boss fight was also a lot of fun, i was expecting it to be a rehash of the first game’s, with the Spike crushing the boss and that’s the end, but actually being able to fight him was a fun experience, albeit a little hard because max was always two steps away from death.

The game had some really pretty reflections too. I assume this uses the old flip the world for the reflection trick, but it’s done really well, i honestly couldn’t tell if it was or not (though i don’t know what else it would be using)

  • @[email protected]English
    2•2 days ago

    I thought Max Payne 2 was a big step down from the first game. I was disappointed with the changes they made to Max. I didn’t like any of the characterization as much and the plot/writing felt more generic compared to the dark charm of the first game. The whole bit with the guy in the mascot costume was just dumb.

    Still fun but the nowhere near as special as the original for me.

    • @runjunEnglish
      3•2 days ago

      Hard disagree but to each their own. I LOVE Max Payne 2. I even love Max Payne 3. The filters were insane but the gameplay was solid and I actually played a ton of multiplayer.

    • @[email protected]English
      2•2 days ago

      I remember originally being disappointed how Mona survived a shot in the the head from the first game, then Max survives a shot in the head in the game and then if you beat the game on the hardest difficulty she survives yet again.

      Plus I prefered the looks of both Max and Mona in the first game.

      But I’ve grown to appreciate the second game on subsequent playthroughs.

    • Agent KaryoEnglish
      2•2 days ago

      The original was definitely the best (haven’t played Max Payne 3 though), but I thought the sequel was solid enough.

      Every 2-3 years I do a replay of both games back to back. It’s almost like a single package for me.

      • @[email protected]English
        3•2 days ago

        I liked how the third one went in a completely different direction instead of rehashing what made Max Max yet again. It’s a bit of a shock at first but it makes sense, especially since a lot of time has passed.

        There’s even one or two turns in the story that play out very differently from how it would have played out in the first two games because the overarching theme is a bit different. You can tell it’s still Max though.

        • Agent KaryoEnglish
          1•2 days ago

          I should honestly try the 3rd one. These days I don’t really play FPSs other than replaying HL1/HL2 (and their expansions) and Max Payne 1/2 usually in back to back sessions.

          I would of course play HL3 (still have to play HLA; I don’t have an index).

            • Agent KaryoEnglish
              3•2 days ago

              Would love to try both. I wouldn’t even mind HL1 in VR (HL1 is my favourite in the series, other release are exemplary as well).

              • @[email protected]English
                3•2 days ago

                HL1 is fun, but a little bit jank. The HL2 VR mod feels like the game was made for VR.

                Manual reloading plays a big part. Ravenholm hits different when you need to load the shotgun shell-by-shell yourself instead of pressing a button.

                • Agent KaryoEnglish
                  2•2 days ago

                  I am not sure I want to play Ravenholm in VR. 😆

                  You tried HL1 in VR too?

                  • @[email protected]English
                    2•2 days ago

                    Ravenholm was certainly an experience, but it’s manageable. I mean, I’m more and more of a pussy when it comes to scary games but I pulled through.

                    I have yet to finish HL1in VR (as well as Opposing Force and Blue Shift), but it’s certainly on my list. I played it up to around that early part with the long diagonal elevator with headcrabs dropping on you. Using the crowbar by actually swinging into them takes practice and I was getting my ass kicked, so I decided to restart on medium difficulty but never got around to actually doing it.

                    I think I got distracted by Jedi Outcast and Jedi Academy VR being released… Those are incredible.