It has seemed like Eons since the announcement that Max Payne would be making an appearance on the Playstation 2. After seeing it in a number of beta versions, everyone knew this was going to be something special. Surprisingly Remedy and Rockstar did not go overboard with the PR end of things and just let the final product speak for itself. For this alone both should be commended as once again Rockstar has published another superb piece of software aimed at the older demographic. The next generation of consoles definitely now have a number of titles under their belt that demonstrates the interactive entertainment industry is no longer dictated by childish games. Max Payne recently launched on both the PS2 and XBOX. I might as well let you know this up front, I was ready to give this game a higher score but was disappointed with the PS2 version once I sat down with the much superior XBOX version. If I were rating the XBOX incarnation, it would be receiving a 9.5. I know a lot of the PS2 fan boys will get upset but the differences are very noticeable and the PS2's low RAM and absent hard drive are partly to blame.

Perhaps the biggest weak point in the PS2 version is it's visual presentation. The graphics engine does support some nifty tricks. A number of filter effects are used for the explosions and massive gun fire can be found throughout the game. Level design is immaculate as the underbelly of New York City is brought to life. Darkened allies, old abandoned buildings and seedy characters draw you into situations you would never be in real-life. Inside and outside, each area has its own unique feeling that intensifies the bizarre story line. The character design is pretty solid although at times some characters could have used more smoothing as they appear a tad blocky. So what's the problem? When compared to the XBOX version, you start to see a number of things the PS2 version is missing and in effect what you get is a somewhat watered down version. On the PS2 lowered texture rates reveal less detail, environmental effects such as splitting tiles, water leaks and bullet holes are missing in the PS2 version. Perhaps the biggest problem comes in the form of slow load times. Max Payne is story driven that is done in some fantastic comic strip like fashion. Since this story telling is detrimental to the gameplay, it annoys to have such dragging load times that it ends up making things boring at times. Then comes the much hyped use of bullet time effects much in the same fashion as originally conceived for The Matrix. The hype does deliver as when you drop into bullet time everything slows down to a virtual heartbeat. During bullet time you have the ability to take out your opponents in full 3D style, complete with bullet traces and punctures through human flesh. It best resembles some of John Woo's cinematic work. The problem here is that the PS2 version dismisses some of this visual treat. In some scenes it is near impossible to see any bullets moving. Unfortunately, this is not a problem on the XBOX version. Nevertheless, it is still ultra cool even on the PS2. The soundtrack and sound effects are top quality. The soundtrack comes alive when it needs to while the gun totting sound effects bring everything to life. The voice talent is also some of the best work ever to be used in a videogame. Each of the characters are brought to life by these fine professional voice actors. Other production houses will certainly be on the outlook for this particular crew.

After getting by the less than stellar visuals, the actual gameplay and control have been done quite well. Controlling Max through his journey is simple enough thanks to an easy control layout utilized on the Dual Shock 2. The ability to cycle through weapons and equip them is painless and fast. Switching to and from slow motion and the coveted bullet time sequences is also a snap. While utilizing the bullet time is addictive, you are limited to its use thanks to a gauge that once finished does not replenish until you move onto the next area of a particular level. Therefore, in later stages of the game where its use will ultimately decide your fate, you will have to use it sparingly. It is actually in the third quarter of the game where the bullet time feature really shines. Early on it seems more of a gimmick than an actual gameplay necessity. Some will argue that controlling Max in one of two dream-like sequences is awful. True it is awkward as you are required to follow a thin blood trail in open air. One slight mistake and you fall to your death. But it is these two levels which actually propel the game into the human psyche that truly disturbs way beyond anything ever seen, including Silent Hill 2. Perhaps one of the more impressive features in Max Payne, is the AI's ability to self-adjust according to your performance. If you are struggling, enemies will adjust their behavior and reactions in your favor. On the other hand, if you are whipping through, the enemies will be hot on your trail and hear you coming.

In terms of value, Max Payne does not have a lot of extra features but it does soar with what is available. Besides it is the type of game you will want to play over and over again just to explore the bullet time feature and great storyline. At the outset there are two modes Fugitive and Hard-Boiled. Complete either mode for the first time and an additional two modes will open up: Dead On Arrival and New York Minute. While DOA is the regular story at an insane difficulty level, the New York Minute is something with more adrenaline. In this mode, each map starts out with a timer ticking down. If the timer reaches zero before the objective is complete, game over. Taking out enemies in this case actually buys you more time. It is hectic yet fun at the same time. Apparently Max Payne will return in another title somewhere down the road. The prospect of an online component sounds tantalizing as does some sort of multiplayer support.

The concept behind Max Payne is something that the industry has desperately needed for some time. The ability to merge cinema and action into a videogame has been attempted before. Even as great as MGS2 is, it still has difficulty getting past a less interactive experience. Max Payne sucks you in and doesn't let go. It is one of those titles where you look at your watch and wonder where the last five hours have gone. Rockstar has published its second hit this year and for a second time the product is aimed at the older gaming demographic. While the PS2 iteration is in the shadow of the more superior XBOX version, Max Payne is definitely one game that should not pass you by this year.