Graphics

Textures over polys

Recently we saw console gamers scream in defiance at PCs with the release of GT3: A-Spec, putting some undeserved graphical laurels on an overglorified DVD player (The preceding opinions expressed are solely those of the author and are not necessarily those of FiringSquad. -ed). Max Payne brings the trophy back home with the world's best texturing, bar none. Everything from characters to dirt tiles on the ground look as good as we could imagine on current hardware. It is truly something to see almost photo-realistic faces on characters. Admittedly, the polygon counts seem somewhat low on the models, but the texturing and animation more than make up for it.

Each and every character moves in believable ways and reacts to the laws of physics properly. Lob a grenade behind an unsuspecting chump and watch him pull a Superman as he flies through the air to slam face-first into a crate and drop down to the ground. Models do not appear to vary much, but the large number of textures placed upon them is enough to fool the eye even during the slow motion of bullet time. Naturally, characters more prominent than the goons with five-second life spans have their own body styles.

If this was Soldier of Fortune, that would cut his head off

It's awesome how enemies freeze when being shot

That must've been one big explosion

Special effects like explosions, fires, bullets and bullet trails are really a site to behold. Max Payne easily outdoes the competition in any area where those are involved. When it comes to fire effects, other games aren't just not in the same league, we're not even sure if they're playing the same sport. Fire doesn't look like a flat texture anymore, it doesn't feel stuck on - it looks alive and flowing. The muzzle flash from guns looks impressive as well, particularly if you bust out with dual ingrams and find your screen flashing like a broken movie projector.

Max does so many things so much better than any previous game when it comes to graphics, it becomes hard to notice the areas it is lacking in. Who cares about models when you've got the best textures, walls that chip tiles or wood when hit, and fires like no one else? Naturally, the graphical splendor takes its toll on weaker graphics cards and CPUs, but it looks so good we wouldn't be surprised if extreme high-end users bought Max Payne just to show off their hardware.

You need to aim better, grasshopper

Incoming, one bad case of indigestion

Darkness descends on New York like a hawk on its rabbit prey

It was a dark and stormy night…

Max takes place during the storm of the century in New York. Expect to see snow, apartment blocks, seedy alleys, skyscrapers, warehouses and docks galore. The look of the levels is generally nice and detailed though not overflowing with the little touches. The effect is to give the impression of really walking down the street, after all, how many individual buildings do you pay attention to? Target areas are very easily distinguished; if the level doesn't push you in the right direction, it isn't hard to guess where you're supposed to go.

Aside from the drug trip levels, Max Payne is all natural and there is no place you visit that couldn't exist in the real world. Level designs reflect that with medicine cabinets that hold your pain killers, bathrooms, breakable windows, and so on. Streets are lined with lamp posts and fire hydrants, or may be blocked off by police barricades.

Run into my lead

Human beings are a disease, and we are the cure

That pillar could have been your leg young man!