exactly! Brilliant writing. And that's why the third installment sucked balls - they changed the damn writer. Who ever wrote first and second Max Payne was a genius
@@AldoApachi- the dialogue wasnt too great but the overall concept was really good. After everyone that died under his protection he was just done and had it. Didnt want to be a "hero" anymore but secretly he always wanted someone to kill or shoot at. That is why his "sense of duty" is just starting to seem like an excuse, like something he just had to do because he wanted to. He could easily have walked away and be over with it but he kept coming back with all these false sense of directions, thinking hes doing it for the good but in reality he doesnt know what hes actually fighting for. Time moves forward, but nothing changes. Only the people around him.
*They were all dead. The final gunshot was an exclamation mark of everything that had led to this point. I released my finger. And then it was over. To make any kind of sense of it i need to go back 3 years. Back to the night the pain started.*
Same man. Had fucking nightmares out of it when I was eight. But its a good thing I suppose, because afterwards, I grew interested in Berserk, Vampire Hunter D, and the rest of its dark kin
@@someorclad9738 The grittiness of this game took me aback when I first played it. I was particularly unsettled by the junkies muttering "I think I died....I think I'm dead...."
I got the game when I was 13.... sad but back then I was a R rate shit so don't effect me much... Dead space... that is some shit I can not handler....
Damn, this video brought back a lot of memories. I love how Sam Lake puts Twin Peaks references in almost all of his games. Max's duality, freaky dreams, and the pink flamingo TV show is Twin Peaks! Once again this video is great. Good job Raycevick!
Dohn JoeYeah man, For its time it's a masterpiece of a game. The over all film noir aspect that was a mix with almost Dick Tracy comic book story telling, which I believe the sin city movie kind of ripped of a few years later was great. Plus, That blend of English Gangster, Americain Italian Mafia and 1940-esc feeling character development , and the Matrix slow down's along with gameplay that is the gun's Akimbo action perfectly goes together. the game industry should have a funeral for games like this, their gone forever. That baby scream is fucked, always gives me cold sweats.
Max survives the dose of V because he has been taking prescription drugs the *entire* game. You feed them to him each time his health is low. Max is, most definitely, a drug addict. Just not the drug addict the fan theory implies. That is what leads to him having a higher tolerance for other drugs, such a V. If they both work on the same part of the bring, I.E. opiod receptors.
Corey Carnes fan theory is shit. No matter the indivuals tolerance, no one would be able to take painkillers so often without OD'ing. Its just a gameplay mechanic, dont think too much about it.
@@showxxxtime No he is not an addict and there is no reference to addiction at all in the first two games. The third one is just a spinoff shit and should not be taken as canon. The whole painkiller thing is just part of the gameplay, nothing more.
I was 13 years old, it was 1am on a cool summer night, and I had been shooting with Max for hours while the rest of my family was asleep. I was alone. The final mission gave me chills as the thumping music propelled me forward. The harmonizing vocals echoed endlessly through the sound of gunfire. Even though I had to keep the volume low on my TV to prevent waking up the rest of the house, I felt every step, every bullet, every moment. That is why I love this game.
@@hutvagnerandras2194 I think that’s a fair point. Sometimes they hit, sometimes they miss. I just hope for full-blown remakes like this that Halo Anniversary becomes the format where the old art is still an option.
I remember seeing some screenshots in a game magazine back then, I was blown away by the graphics and the faces, also the fact that you can see the bullets fly in real time was absolutely mind blown back in the days.
Shit man, I downloaded the game demo back then and I didn't know what to expect.. after playing it I was so mind-blown I just played it all day long, even if it was the demo. I was like 7 years old, lol.
Quick trick, you mentionned bullet time and Shootdodge being assigned at the same button. You can assigne two different commands in the menu for each action, it's just not by default like Max Payne 2. Trust me, it will make the whole gameplay easier and cooler ;)
What makes Max Payne and Max Payne 2 so great is that Sam Lake *truely* understands Film Noir. While most of the more superficial elements of that genre are present (the "hard boiled" detective, the twists and turns in the plot, the varied and colorful villains, the damsel in distress/"femme fatale") - it's turning the setting, the ever-beset-by-blizzards "Noir York City", into a main character of sorts that truely makes Max Payne and Max Payne 2 masterpieces !
Good to see there's still some love going around for Max Payne 1. It's oozing such style and likeability from its weird development cycle that really sets it apart. Its sequels just don't have the same kinda vibe. Also about bullet time while standing still, I never had that. Bullet time for me is on shift, while the bullet dodge is on right click. Max Payne 1 is best fite me bois
Turbo Button Max Payne 1 is the best but I always consider the second game to be a worthy sequel. I don't like the third one, it's more like a Die Hard game than a Max Payne one. His character isn't following the first two naturally, it's just feels weird. Anybody could be that game's protagonist and it would almost be the same. Not only that but they ruined the second game's endings, even if they told us that his adventures weren't finished with that. It's not canon in my standing.
I can understand the charm from Max Payne being it's key, but personally, the sequel was my favorite of the trilogy. I'm excited to see how or if my views change with these games like they did for Halo and Mass Effect.
whats your thoughts on Remedy as I'm totally a fan boy of theirs since Alan Wake and then Quantum Break came out. I really admire the story telling and with Alan Wake its made me want to location scout Oregon and Washington State with a flashlght. I've never had a game immerse me so much as Alan wake did.
I don't know about y'all, but as much as I love this game, when I was a kid, it scared the shit outta me. The tweakers in the bathroom stall, laying on the floor, talking to themselves. So high that they don't even notice people around them "I... I think I died" "The flesh!" This game was so ahead of it's time.
lol depressing. I was in high school. They sent me the game early. It was amazing. Man I feel old as f-ck now. Using the Max Payne Mouse pad right now.
This was one of the first games I ever played on PC and one of the few games I ever actually completed as a kid. It's probably nostalgia speaking, but I absolutely loved this game and the second. Such a great breakdown of one of the most iconic protagonists. Great video, as always. Definitely looking forward to the imminent videos on the sequels.
I feel the same way! I remember the nightmare lvl where you had to follow the blood trail maze through some dark abyss and just hearing the baby scream like crazy at random times. I would always mute that lvl cause it scared the crap outta me as a kid. Did you not like Max Payne 3? I though it was going to suck but after playing all the way through it turned out to be a good game and imo better than Max Payne 2.
So first time you've played Max Payne was in 2010.? That wasn't long ago, i remember playing it in 2001. And it was mind blowing, everything was completely out of everyone's expectations. Still to this day, some gun mehanics and physics are way better than in average shooters, especially story, which is probably my favortie storyline of all time. Great review though!
I'm no New Yorker and I also have that fantasy, whether it stemmed from Max Payne or Sam Raimi 's Spiderman films, who knows, but I expect to be sorely disappointed by how much 20 years have changed the city. Any New Yorker would like to chime in and corroborate my thesis?
Thank you for uploading this. A week ago, I asked myself, "Whatever happened to Max Payne? How come people forgot about that? It had everything-- the story, the music, the gameplay, the characters, the overall dark atmosphere. People need to know its uniqueness." I had to play all 3 games again for that feel and man, most modern AAA games don't have that same feel anymore: 1st one got you gripped into Max's taste for revenge as well as uncovering the truth of a major drug company, the second one has you feeling pain (no pun intended) that could not move on from the 1st as well as uncovering the mysteries behind old friends while the 3rd one (which some people agree is the least likable story due to the absence of the graphic novel cutscenes but still a great plot nonetheless) has Max finally "moving on" from his dark days only to realize his demons would come back to haunt him and us witnessing his on-going struggle against his own depression. The gameplay just kept on improving as the series went on-- every encounter really felt like a John Woo/Matrix moment. And then there's the music; my God the music of the trilogy was so good, it could rival any Emmy Award-winning musical scores. It's one of the most underrated video game series imo and I feel like it deserved more recognition than what the trilogy got. Once again, Raycevick, thank you for opening up this topic. This is why I love your videos. May you never change for the worse.
I just love your channel. There's nothing on youtube quite like what you channel offers - the voiceover is just so nice to listen and the format is of highest quality. You offer so much background on the game development and it's so captivating. I just want to say thank you for the amount of effort you put in creating vids like these.
I'm gonna guess the whole cheeky hiding spots is due to them, idk, knowing you're coming to pepper them with dual Ingrams. I mean if you were to be hunted down, that's what you'd do instead of standing in the middle of the room. But I agree those spots were irritating at first
It made me so sad when I saw G4 years ago of what it turned into. Reruns of Cheaters, Cops, and other nongaming shows and movies. I've heard G4 was better when it was called TechTV, but I still miss shows like old X-Play, CinemaTech, and other shows that I can't remember the names of.
+LOUDcarBOMB TechTV was SOOOOOOOOOOOOO much better before G4 bought them and ruined them! I mean, really, say what you will, but the ScreenSavers was better then Attack of the Show ANY day. Even X-Play was better before G4 mauled it.
+LOUDcarBOMB TechTV was SOOOOOOOOOOOOO much better before G4 bought them and ruined them! I mean, really, say what you will, but the ScreenSavers was better then Attack of the Show ANY day. Even X-Play was better before G4 mauled it.
I must say watching your videos and growth has been amazing. That intro was just so dam beautiful, the change in voice and video to give that older grittier feel was so fuken awesome I loved it so much! But of course I can not compliment enough the editing of interviews, transitions, the quick joke here and there. It all flows so nice and beautiful I really cant critic anything you do as I am just so immersed and into the narrative throughout the whole way. Which brings me a quick point I must make, the narrative is always smooth and beautiful because you avoid repetitiveness and not using words such as "like" every other dam word. As a non-native english speaker, I dont understand how some people butcher the way talk when abusing words such as like. So before I make another book long comment in you feed, I want to conclude with this.....as a fan you have beyond entertained me, as a patreon supporter I love being part of your support that helps give such a talented individual the chance to make masterpieces like this, and as a friend I could not be more proud! As always much love bro, keep it up!
I've been watching every one of your videos for the past few days because the unbelievable amount of nostalgia they give me. I seriously cannot put it into words. You make me want to call my brother and talk about all these games I used to watch him play because I was too scared or bad at it. I used to watch him play everything and have him beat certain things for me when I couldn't. Now he doesn't really touch games and I'm super passionate about them. I'm definitely going to recommend your channel to him. Keep up the amazing work!
Am I the only one who genuinely thought the writing was good and loved it? In any case, absolutely loved the series, even though I would disagree with most and say the first game was the superior one. Aesir Corporation's building and the final face off against the helicopter are so much more memorable than Max Payne 2's ending.
I always remember the line where Max talks about psyching himself up to assault Aesir by going to an all night diner and choking down coffee and stale donuts. For some reason, I can't really imagine many video game protagonists doing that, and it tied in well with the setting. Reminded me of exploring the cities I've lived in at night during blizzards and how isolated you could feel among thousands/millions of people. Trying not to sound like a 2008 Gaming Thinkpiece here, but I always remember that line as a really humanizing thing.
Wow, great analysis! This brings back a lot of memories. I was in my late teens when Max Payne was released, and the awe for Matrix's slow-mo action a couple of years before hadn't waned. I remember when a Finnish game magazine "Pelit" started to follow the development of Max Payne, way before it's release. I was blown away by the pre-production screenshots and talks about the bullet time mechanics. The graphics looked unreal and reading about the developers visions for the game, it was hard to comprehend just how it all was to be implemented with the technology at hand. You got to remember that back then, games were taking huge technical leaps and Max Payne looked like something out of this world with it's particle effects, physics and high quality textures. I have to agree that at times it felt like you were peeking behind the sets of the game and realised just how simple it actually was at it's core gameplay. Sure, sometimes it was frustrating too and like you said "cheap" but nothing could detract from the overall impact, and I was blown away the first time I played Max Payne. Consequently, I played through the game many times after that and even when I already knew the plot twists, I enjoyed the overall mood and the fluid gameplay. It just feels like you're in the middle of a 2000s action movie, mowing down bad guys left and right! I'm proud of this Finnish game company, and I'm glad that I got to experience it's beginnings first hand. Death Rally was a great little game too and I wish I still had the original boxed copy, but it's long gone I'm afraid. Anyway, thanks for the video! Although I felt you were being a bit harsh at times, I guess it's just a realistic depiction of the games shortcomings. When you put the whole experience in the context of early 2000s gaming though.. Man what a game!
@@peavn1680 Thanks for asking. I played it for a few hours but somehow it didn't feel quite right. I mean, it's a good game I guess but it doesn't feel like Max Payne to me. The protagonist felt overly nihilistic, and kinda sad. The original Max Payne character was also nihilistic but in a better way, if that makes sense. I wasn't too fond of the setting, and the story either. I didn't get attached to the cast of characters. I also got a bit irritated by the constant cutscenes, that seemed to drag on for too long. After saying that, I'm pretty sure I'll get around to playing it again, and maybe completing it this time.
though the part where after you dive and get up automatically and open yourself to being killed, yeah that's all true. Max Payne 2 and 3 fixed that though.
man, this game was all me and my friends talked about when it came out! years later I'm still amazed that I can play Max Payne on my phone now, complete with cheat codes so I can have a fighting chance on those cheap, camper enemies! great video!
Bro I profess my love to your channel(s) you just don't know how much I love taking retrospective looks in to my passions. I can't wait to argue with your opinions and views, I just love this type of stuff. please don't stop too it seems like every good retrospective games series on youtube stop
thank you for the videos to binge on, you and the act man have brought back many games lost from my childhood back to light it feels awesome to remember these games and realize that people loved them just as much as i did
As a kid, i spent countless of hours on Max Payne 1 & 2, they were amazing and still are, i just recently played them both again and i was stunned at how well it had preserved, sure the graphics are early 2k's but it didn't bother me when the gameplay was absolute diamond still.
One of the best games of all times. Still love it, still love the music from it (Poets Of The Fall - their vocalist is also featured as Vlad Lem in all comic strips), still remember those first moments of pure joy 16 years ago, and still replay it sometimes. Thank you for this reminder.
I'm so glad by this new wave of gaming youtubers that do a serious job with so much depth. And I'm also glad I stumbled upon your channel. Amazing work with this video. Subscribed!
I still play max payne to this day and love the hell out of it, it's one of those gems I think that no matter how much time passes it's always going to be great.
When it comes to replaying my older games from back in the Day, the original Max Payne still delivers in spades. Bullet time was just one of the most cool video game concepts ever. That and the reaction deaths were just satisfying.
Damn brought back some good memories! At the time I was around the age of 12 playing this and I love how gritty the game was. The comic panels, the story, the level design, it was an amazing game.
I had finished this game so many times on different devices (on pc, on ps2, on phone), but I do not regret it. It will always will be in my heart. And after watching this video i've got little bit more inside a look of this game and company as a whole, and I am thankful for that.
I can't remember how many times I've played this game. Max Payne is one of my all time favorites. It's always installed on my computer, It's just perfect for me
The depth to wich you took this review is amazing. I subscribed at the sixteen minute mark, thinking the video was just about over, only to find that there's 12 more minutes. Keep up the good work, man.
I'll be eagerly waiting for those then. Max Payne is that one series I haven't played but still have immense respect for. A part of that comes from the fact that it was made in my country, which is strange to me... The only other franchise I *know* was made here in Finland is Angry Birds, a brand that I wish would just shrivel up and _die._
I remember playing it on my top spec pc. It was the talk of the town back when people didn’t talk about games in public because there wasn’t enough love for thrm
I was actually playing Max Payne when the planes hit the towers. No shit. For some time I thought this is the most lame thing to answer to the question "where were you when 9/11 happened?" - "playing a game". But then I realized that it's kind of an epic answer to say "I was virtually in NY with Max Payne" :)
I have watched a lot of your videos now and I have thoroughly enjoyed them all. Thank you for putting in the long hours and hard work to bring these documentaries to life. I am thankfull that you have been able to do these because it's great to see videos like this that really shine a light onto games I have enjoyed over the years. Thank you for your work, best of luck with your future projects
That's some great channel you've got here. I watch a lot of "video game history" videos on YT, and a lot of retro-gaming, but this is one of the finest video I've seen yet. It's very "professional", if I may say so - I'm sorry I can't find a better word to say it. The narration, the transitions, the editing, the way you tell this without any hesitation ... There's nothing to cut out from this video, and that's something I don't see that often : you don't blabber or turn around the thing without saying it. Even with fine videos I usually find myself thinking 'guy come on, please hurry, this isn't relevant here !' or 'he said it before and I'm losing my time'. I never felt it here and that's a very good point. Overall, really interesting video. I discovered Max Payne as a kid, watching my grandpa playing it, and I've never forgotten how fascinating the game was. I'm glad I know a lot more about it now. Thanks !
A beautiful documentary. Max Payne is my favorite game franchise and to be honest, i felt blessed coming across content like this. You sir, have earned my sub.
One of my favorite games of all time but you are definitely right by calling it a bit cheap at times. That last level was absolutely insane. Even to this day, I never get through it smoothly. lol
Fantastic episode. I played this game for the first time around the same time you mentioned and while I haven't gone back to it, I most certainly did not forget the experience. Despite the dated visuals, the action was still intense and the story was gripping. After watching this video I think I need to go back and play through the game again.
Also, you don't have to use bullet time to leap, you can just not use the keybind "shootdodge" which is what triggers the slow motion, and is enabled by default
![เปิดใจ “ต้นหอม ศกุนตลา” หลังโดนพาดพิงธุรกิจที่เคยทำ และผลกระทบทำถูกปลดฟ้าผ่า! | แฉ 24 ต.ค.67 [2/3]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/vCi5OIqlxaE/mqdefault.jpg)
"Nothing is cliche when it is happening to you"
I've kept some of the quotes from this game with me my whole life.
“I don't know about angels, but it's fear that gives men wings."
Red Hood, That. Holy shit, what a memorable quote.
Not a single game has even come close to having dialogues as amazing as Max Payne.
exactly! Brilliant writing. And that's why the third installment sucked balls - they changed the damn writer. Who ever wrote first and second Max Payne was a genius
@@AldoApachi- the dialogue wasnt too great but the overall concept was really good. After everyone that died under his protection he was just done and had it. Didnt want to be a "hero" anymore but secretly he always wanted someone to kill or shoot at. That is why his "sense of duty" is just starting to seem like an excuse, like something he just had to do because he wanted to. He could easily have walked away and be over with it but he kept coming back with all these false sense of directions, thinking hes doing it for the good but in reality he doesnt know what hes actually fighting for.
Time moves forward, but nothing changes. Only the people around him.
*They were all dead. The final gunshot was an exclamation mark of everything that had led to this point. I released my finger. And then it was over. To make any kind of sense of it i need to go back 3 years. Back to the night the pain started.*
Satans Voice Fucking love it when he says that.
Haha *"PAIN"*
They were all dead. I released my trigger from the finger.
And then i realized i was a *rhetorical question*
BACK TO THE NIGHT THE PAIN STARTED!
FUCK!!!!!!!
They were all fat. I released my trigger from the finger. Then it was *a rhetorical question*
Max Payne 1's opening is just SO chilling....
As a Kid it terrified me.
Same man. Had fucking nightmares out of it when I was eight. But its a good thing I suppose, because afterwards, I grew interested in Berserk, Vampire Hunter D, and the rest of its dark kin
@@someorclad9738 The grittiness of this game took me aback when I first played it. I was particularly unsettled by the junkies muttering "I think I died....I think I'm dead...."
I got the game when I was 13.... sad but back then I was a R rate shit so don't effect me much... Dead space... that is some shit I can not handler....
Same
Hated that mission where you followed the blood trail shit had me scared af when you fall n die as a kid 8 years
Imagine how his conversation with his mom went
"MOOOOOOOOM CAN YOU BE THE EVIL LADY I NEED TO KILL THE BOSS SAYS YOU HAVE TOOOOOO"
🤣🤣🤣
This and F.E.A.R 1 are the best bullet-time games I've played. They share a lot of similar elements.
yeah lol F.E.A.R.'s gameplay is basically First person Max Payne with extra steps
F.E.A.R. is better though
@@rifath8152 except that no, it truly ISNT! J/K, i never played it. Played Payne dozens of times tho. 🥰
Well they are both inspired by John Wo films.
@@rifath8152 lol.
Damn, this video brought back a lot of memories. I love how Sam Lake puts Twin Peaks references in almost all of his games. Max's duality, freaky dreams, and the pink flamingo TV show is Twin Peaks! Once again this video is great. Good job Raycevick!
i was wondering about the reference of the pink flamingo for a long time but too lazy to look it up.
Dohn JoeYeah man, For its time it's a masterpiece of a game. The over all film noir aspect that was a mix with almost Dick Tracy comic book story telling, which I believe the sin city movie kind of ripped of a few years later was great. Plus, That blend of English Gangster, Americain Italian Mafia and 1940-esc feeling character development , and the Matrix slow down's along with gameplay that is the gun's Akimbo action perfectly goes together. the game industry should have a funeral for games like this, their gone forever. That baby scream is fucked, always gives me cold sweats.
I love that too! =D
Makes me think that Vanquish is a good iteration of Max Payne's High Impact, Bullet-time action.
100% David Lynch feel. Definitely from twin peaks!
Max survives the dose of V because he has been taking prescription drugs the *entire* game. You feed them to him each time his health is low. Max is, most definitely, a drug addict. Just not the drug addict the fan theory implies. That is what leads to him having a higher tolerance for other drugs, such a V. If they both work on the same part of the bring, I.E. opiod receptors.
Corey Carnes fan theory is shit. No matter the indivuals tolerance, no one would be able to take painkillers so often without OD'ing. Its just a gameplay mechanic, dont think too much about it.
Naw he is right . Max Payne is an addict with painkillers and alcohol. As the series progresses it becomes more clear especially in max Payne 3
@@showxxxtime No he is not an addict and there is no reference to addiction at all in the first two games. The third one is just a spinoff shit and should not be taken as canon.
The whole painkiller thing is just part of the gameplay, nothing more.
@@PatrizzaEatsApizza Maybe not an addict, but he's been seen taking painkillers not only during gameplay, but during comics too. In Max Payne 2
Patrícia Vampyre That’s not true.
Jim Bravura advises him to join the anonymous alcoholics. (MP2)
So there are references to addiction ;)
If they ever decided to make a Max Payne graphic novel series, they would have all of my money.
There's 3 issues written by Sam Lake and Dan Houser bridging the gap between Max Payne 2 & 3. You could check them out.
@@futurei0oo how?
Hey, 3 years late but I found this lol
th-cam.com/video/-_RrJPX3E78/w-d-xo.html&ab_channel=tdrm
They should make a movie!
@@NeverSaySandwich1 they did and it's awful
I was 13 years old, it was 1am on a cool summer night, and I had been shooting with Max for hours while the rest of my family was asleep. I was alone. The final mission gave me chills as the thumping music propelled me forward. The harmonizing vocals echoed endlessly through the sound of gunfire. Even though I had to keep the volume low on my TV to prevent waking up the rest of the house, I felt every step, every bullet, every moment. That is why I love this game.
Guess you had a great sleep after playing Max Payne.
@@abramsullivan7764 especially after the nightmare sequence...
I'm sure it was intentional, but I read this comment in my head with max payne's voice lmao
They've just announced that Max Payne 1 and 2 are getting a Remake by Remedy, I think it's great news.
I don't get this hype for remasters. There is nothing wrong with the originals. MP2 still holds up today both graphically and gameplay-wise.
@@hutvagnerandras2194 I think that’s a fair point. Sometimes they hit, sometimes they miss. I just hope for full-blown remakes like this that Halo Anniversary becomes the format where the old art is still an option.
😱😱😱😱
@@richenrd Same.
I hope they let Mona (and the other characters)be played my the same actor in the remakes.
Great video... But how could you go 28 minutes without mentioning Max Payne's incredible music?! That shit is iconic.
camycamera a bomb!
I use to just listen to the intro like 06-09 days well to this day actually
It is a pretty good soundtrack. The song that plays when you're in the mansion comes to mind
AsianTheDomination byzantine Power Game its called
Totally agree!
Max Payne is my childhood.
I cannot explain in words how much I love him.
I know how you feel bro
We can relate to Max
Me too. I miss those days
I remember seeing some screenshots in a game magazine back then, I was blown away by the graphics and the faces, also the fact that you can see the bullets fly in real time was absolutely mind blown back in the days.
Fendera who you telling I remember those days
Shit man, I downloaded the game demo back then and I didn't know what to expect.. after playing it I was so mind-blown I just played it all day long, even if it was the demo. I was like 7 years old, lol.
Quick trick, you mentionned bullet time and Shootdodge being assigned at the same button. You can assigne two different commands in the menu for each action, it's just not by default like Max Payne 2.
Trust me, it will make the whole gameplay easier and cooler ;)
There is actually a dedicated command to enable bullet time without standing still, but it has no assigned key originally. See for yourself.
What makes Max Payne and Max Payne 2 so great is that Sam Lake *truely* understands Film Noir. While most of the more superficial elements of that genre are present (the "hard boiled" detective, the twists and turns in the plot, the varied and colorful villains, the damsel in distress/"femme fatale") - it's turning the setting, the ever-beset-by-blizzards "Noir York City", into a main character of sorts that truely makes Max Payne and Max Payne 2 masterpieces !
Good to see there's still some love going around for Max Payne 1. It's oozing such style and likeability from its weird development cycle that really sets it apart. Its sequels just don't have the same kinda vibe.
Also about bullet time while standing still, I never had that. Bullet time for me is on shift, while the bullet dodge is on right click.
Max Payne 1 is best fite me bois
Turbo Button Max Payne 1 is the best but I always consider the second game to be a worthy sequel.
I don't like the third one, it's more like a Die Hard game than a Max Payne one. His character isn't following the first two naturally, it's just feels weird. Anybody could be that game's protagonist and it would almost be the same.
Not only that but they ruined the second game's endings, even if they told us that his adventures weren't finished with that. It's not canon in my standing.
I can understand the charm from Max Payne being it's key, but personally, the sequel was my favorite of the trilogy. I'm excited to see how or if my views change with these games like they did for Halo and Mass Effect.
Max Payne Kung Fu mod is spectacular too.
IMO top 10 game. dude its the best and gives me still nightmares. those fckin black baby levels. fck
whats your thoughts on Remedy as I'm totally a fan boy of theirs since Alan Wake and then Quantum Break came out. I really admire the story telling and with Alan Wake its made me want to location scout Oregon and Washington State with a flashlght. I've never had a game immerse me so much as Alan wake did.
I don't know about y'all, but as much as I love this game, when I was a kid, it scared the shit outta me. The tweakers in the bathroom stall, laying on the floor, talking to themselves. So high that they don't even notice people around them "I... I think I died"
"The flesh!"
This game was so ahead of it's time.
lol depressing. I was in high school. They sent me the game early. It was amazing. Man I feel old as f-ck now. Using the Max Payne Mouse pad right now.
Keep that thing with you someday someone will buy it for millions
Mines gone...rip
2:33 That music always gives me the chill, Max Payne had a cool cool soundtrack. Epic game!
This was one of the first games I ever played on PC and one of the few games I ever actually completed as a kid. It's probably nostalgia speaking, but I absolutely loved this game and the second.
Such a great breakdown of one of the most iconic protagonists. Great video, as always. Definitely looking forward to the imminent videos on the sequels.
I feel the same way! I remember the nightmare lvl where you had to follow the blood trail maze through some dark abyss and just hearing the baby scream like crazy at random times. I would always mute that lvl cause it scared the crap outta me as a kid.
Did you not like Max Payne 3? I though it was going to suck but after playing all the way through it turned out to be a good game and imo better than Max Payne 2.
So first time you've played Max Payne was in 2010.? That wasn't long ago, i remember playing it in 2001. And it was mind blowing, everything was completely out of everyone's expectations. Still to this day, some gun mehanics and physics are way better than in average shooters, especially story, which is probably my favortie storyline of all time. Great review though!
I would gladly play remastered MP 1 and 2.
@@GatsuKS you can always use the classic or old school max outfit in max payne 3
Yeah gives no credit to the progressive mechanics.
in 2001 there was nothing like it, it was amazing!
I played it for the first time around 2002 when i was 14. i loved it so much and while playing i always thought im doing something forbidden 😄
Hate saying this about each new video you make, but it's some of your best work!
You're truly an inspiration for us video essay blokes on TH-cam.
Isometric Max Payne is Hotline Miami. damnit he just said that in the video now.
Rest in Peace James Mccaffrey
This game is main reason why I want visit New York during winter in future..
I live Noir York city, it raised me and chiseled me like Max
Me too...
go play divison xD
I'm no New Yorker and I also have that fantasy, whether it stemmed from Max Payne or Sam Raimi
's Spiderman films, who knows, but I expect to be sorely disappointed by how much 20 years have changed the city. Any New Yorker would like to chime in and corroborate my thesis?
Yeah same
Thank you for uploading this. A week ago, I asked myself, "Whatever happened to Max Payne? How come people forgot about that? It had everything-- the story, the music, the gameplay, the characters, the overall dark atmosphere. People need to know its uniqueness." I had to play all 3 games again for that feel and man, most modern AAA games don't have that same feel anymore:
1st one got you gripped into Max's taste for revenge as well as uncovering the truth of a major drug company, the second one has you feeling pain (no pun intended) that could not move on from the 1st as well as uncovering the mysteries behind old friends while the 3rd one (which some people agree is the least likable story due to the absence of the graphic novel cutscenes but still a great plot nonetheless) has Max finally "moving on" from his dark days only to realize his demons would come back to haunt him and us witnessing his on-going struggle against his own depression. The gameplay just kept on improving as the series went on-- every encounter really felt like a John Woo/Matrix moment. And then there's the music; my God the music of the trilogy was so good, it could rival any Emmy Award-winning musical scores.
It's one of the most underrated video game series imo and I feel like it deserved more recognition than what the trilogy got.
Once again, Raycevick, thank you for opening up this topic. This is why I love your videos. May you never change for the worse.
Man, you are the only person I see in Max Payne related videos comment section that doesn't only talk shit to the 3rd game. Cookies for ya.
Beppegoodoldrebel love max Payne
Idk if know but it's on mobile
This was one of my favourite games growing up and brings back many great memories. Thank you for making this video!
12:59
That poor fire extinguisher's doing it's best.
"I'm trying to save you guys, I am!" Imagine the PTSD.
Damn I'm old enough to remember being blown away when characters actually moved their mouths in cinematics.
I just love your channel. There's nothing on youtube quite like what you channel offers - the voiceover is just so nice to listen and the format is of highest quality. You offer so much background on the game development and it's so captivating. I just want to say thank you for the amount of effort you put in creating vids like these.
I'm gonna guess the whole cheeky hiding spots is due to them, idk, knowing you're coming to pepper them with dual Ingrams. I mean if you were to be hunted down, that's what you'd do instead of standing in the middle of the room. But I agree those spots were irritating at first
Thank you
When I come to this channel it's like turning on G4TV as a kid. Excellent stuff man.
It made me so sad when I saw G4 years ago of what it turned into. Reruns of Cheaters, Cops, and other nongaming shows and movies. I've heard G4 was better when it was called TechTV, but I still miss shows like old X-Play, CinemaTech, and other shows that I can't remember the names of.
LOUDcarBOMB god i miss x-play
+LOUDcarBOMB TechTV was SOOOOOOOOOOOOO much better before G4 bought them and ruined them!
I mean, really, say what you will, but the ScreenSavers was better then Attack of the Show ANY day. Even X-Play was better before G4 mauled it.
+LOUDcarBOMB TechTV was SOOOOOOOOOOOOO much better before G4 bought them and ruined them!
I mean, really, say what you will, but the ScreenSavers was better then Attack of the Show ANY day. Even X-Play was better before G4 mauled it.
I miss G4.. Arena, X-Play, Attack of The Show, that one show that was purely trailers.. Man they need to bring it back.
I must say watching your videos and growth has been amazing. That intro was just so dam beautiful, the change in voice and video to give that older grittier feel was so fuken awesome I loved it so much! But of course I can not compliment enough the editing of interviews, transitions, the quick joke here and there. It all flows so nice and beautiful I really cant critic anything you do as I am just so immersed and into the narrative throughout the whole way. Which brings me a quick point I must make, the narrative is always smooth and beautiful because you avoid repetitiveness and not using words such as "like" every other dam word. As a non-native english speaker, I dont understand how some people butcher the way talk when abusing words such as like. So before I make another book long comment in you feed, I want to conclude with this.....as a fan you have beyond entertained me, as a patreon supporter I love being part of your support that helps give such a talented individual the chance to make masterpieces like this, and as a friend I could not be more proud!
As always much love bro, keep it up!
Xivian but warranted
Max Payne: a perfect game.
Marco Palomba correct :) !
@Navarro Dodge they're short and barely does anything to lower the quality of the game imo
@Navarro Dodge i see, in pc they're fine. and even then you can just look for a playtrough if you can't find the way out
@Navarro Dodge Rockstar player?
I've been watching every one of your videos for the past few days because the unbelievable amount of nostalgia they give me. I seriously cannot put it into words. You make me want to call my brother and talk about all these games I used to watch him play because I was too scared or bad at it. I used to watch him play everything and have him beat certain things for me when I couldn't. Now he doesn't really touch games and I'm super passionate about them. I'm definitely going to recommend your channel to him. Keep up the amazing work!
Your intros are always very compact with great punchlines but man.... this one is a Masterpiece!
Wasn't sure about it while in the edit process, glad that it was enjoyed.
Agreed. The intros were the ones that made me stick my eyes to the video.
They were all fat
I released my trigger from the finger, and then I was *a rhetorical question*
don't answer that.
A rhetorical... *QUESTION*
Don't answer that it's a rhetorical question. I got something for the boss Lupeno around?
Can you take me there? (bat punch) NOPE
His painkiller addiction could have been the reason he survived the overdose. And the OG Max is the best Max.
HEY BUNGUS you can bind keys to "bullet time only" and "shootdodge only"
Sam Lake is a legend! Remedy games is one of the few companies making quality content.
It's rare to find a TH-camr who puts in as much effort as you.
Baby Ona Leash ahoy is the second
Joseph Anderson, Mark Brown, Every frame a painting, Nerdwriter1 and CapitainKristian
Baby Ona Leash Ahoy
A lot of TH-camrs put in tons of effort. You just have to find them, people like Ahoy and Mark Brown are other good examples.
SovietWomble
"It's pretty late, I should get to sleep"
*Raycevick uploads a video*
"Nahh, I'll watch it tommorow after a good night's rest!"
DenInDaWuds Understandable, have a great day!
You made the right decision, Wuds.
w h o l e s o m e
Well, it's almost 30 minutes long and requires quite some attention. You really don't want to watch that tired.
N O T I C E D
Am I the only one who genuinely thought the writing was good and loved it? In any case, absolutely loved the series, even though I would disagree with most and say the first game was the superior one. Aesir Corporation's building and the final face off against the helicopter are so much more memorable than Max Payne 2's ending.
The first one is the best in the series by a mile. Dark yet pretty real.
I always remember the line where Max talks about psyching himself up to assault Aesir by going to an all night diner and choking down coffee and stale donuts. For some reason, I can't really imagine many video game protagonists doing that, and it tied in well with the setting. Reminded me of exploring the cities I've lived in at night during blizzards and how isolated you could feel among thousands/millions of people. Trying not to sound like a 2008 Gaming Thinkpiece here, but I always remember that line as a really humanizing thing.
Wow, great analysis! This brings back a lot of memories. I was in my late teens when Max Payne was released, and the awe for Matrix's slow-mo action a couple of years before hadn't waned. I remember when a Finnish game magazine "Pelit" started to follow the development of Max Payne, way before it's release. I was blown away by the pre-production screenshots and talks about the bullet time mechanics. The graphics looked unreal and reading about the developers visions for the game, it was hard to comprehend just how it all was to be implemented with the technology at hand. You got to remember that back then, games were taking huge technical leaps and Max Payne looked like something out of this world with it's particle effects, physics and high quality textures.
I have to agree that at times it felt like you were peeking behind the sets of the game and realised just how simple it actually was at it's core gameplay. Sure, sometimes it was frustrating too and like you said "cheap" but nothing could detract from the overall impact, and I was blown away the first time I played Max Payne. Consequently, I played through the game many times after that and even when I already knew the plot twists, I enjoyed the overall mood and the fluid gameplay. It just feels like you're in the middle of a 2000s action movie, mowing down bad guys left and right!
I'm proud of this Finnish game company, and I'm glad that I got to experience it's beginnings first hand. Death Rally was a great little game too and I wish I still had the original boxed copy, but it's long gone I'm afraid.
Anyway, thanks for the video! Although I felt you were being a bit harsh at times, I guess it's just a realistic depiction of the games shortcomings. When you put the whole experience in the context of early 2000s gaming though.. Man what a game!
What do you think about max payne 3?
@@peavn1680 Thanks for asking. I played it for a few hours but somehow it didn't feel quite right. I mean, it's a good game I guess but it doesn't feel like Max Payne to me.
The protagonist felt overly nihilistic, and kinda sad. The original Max Payne character was also nihilistic but in a better way, if that makes sense.
I wasn't too fond of the setting, and the story either. I didn't get attached to the cast of characters. I also got a bit irritated by the constant cutscenes, that seemed to drag on for too long. After saying that, I'm pretty sure I'll get around to playing it again, and maybe completing it this time.
I've rewatched this series, from MP 1 to MP 3 about 5 times. And I keep coming back. Is it the game that is so good, or the videos? or BOTH?!
14:42 none of this about bullet time is true. There are separate keybinds if you wish to use them.
though the part where after you dive and get up automatically and open yourself to being killed, yeah that's all true. Max Payne 2 and 3 fixed that though.
Your voice is so soothing and amazing. Love your vids man!
14:31 You can actually disable that in the options menu and even rebind bullet time and bullet dodge to separate keys.
I did that in my last gameplay for the first time. It's so much more fun this way
Max Payne is the most amazing game I've played. I was ecstatic when I got it as a kid.
I just discovered your channel and it's a pure joy to watch!! your analyses are flawless
man, this game was all me and my friends talked about when it came out!
years later I'm still amazed that I can play Max Payne on my phone now, complete with cheat codes so I can have a fighting chance on those cheap, camper enemies!
great video!
how do you use cheats on a phone ?
onedeadsaint Incase you don't know, newer xbox one controller and ps4 are capable of connecting to most phones via Bluetooth
You dont need cheats to complete Max Payne. It ruins the game.
gUnS and Roses meh. maybe for you. for me, it helps me enjoy it more
+onedeadsaint
Cheats are for kids. Real gamers can complete without it. Cheats are only useful in games like gta to have fun.
Will you ever make a Syphon Filter retrospective ?
I'd love to see one, this game series deserves so much more attention.
Bro I profess my love to your channel(s) you just don't know how much I love taking retrospective looks in to my passions. I can't wait to argue with your opinions and views, I just love this type of stuff. please don't stop too it seems like every good retrospective games series on youtube stop
thank you for the videos to binge on, you and the act man have brought back many games lost from my childhood back to light
it feels awesome to remember these games and realize that people loved them just as much as i did
As a kid, i spent countless of hours on Max Payne 1 & 2, they were amazing and still are, i just recently played them both again and i was stunned at how well it had preserved, sure the graphics are early 2k's but it didn't bother me when the gameplay was absolute diamond still.
To anyone looking for John Wick and John Woo films made into a good video game: "Allow me to present MAX PAYNE!"
mikfhan More like before there was John Wick, there was Max Payne.
Traditional Animator With the biggest mobster body count of all.
Dearest friends, prepare to die!
It was more like, "Have you seen The Matrix?" "Here's a game like that". At least that's how I thought of it then.
One of the best games of all times. Still love it, still love the music from it (Poets Of The Fall - their vocalist is also featured as Vlad Lem in all comic strips), still remember those first moments of pure joy 16 years ago, and still replay it sometimes. Thank you for this reminder.
I'm so glad by this new wave of gaming youtubers that do a serious job with so much depth. And I'm also glad I stumbled upon your channel. Amazing work with this video. Subscribed!
The early 2000's NYC vibe is amazing
I still play max payne to this day and love the hell out of it, it's one of those gems I think that no matter how much time passes it's always going to be great.
Metazare Like a fine wine.
I played it 8 or 10 times. First at age of 11 and now I'm 27 (oh shit!).
I got to experience Max Payne in 2001 when I was 22, now I'm 39 (oh shit!).
If you make a video about your life, you should name it "Lucas Raycevik years later"
^
Probably mentioned before and when this video was fresh.. But the bullet time is not bound to the dive. It is that by default they share the same key
When it comes to replaying my older games from back in the Day, the original Max Payne still delivers in spades. Bullet time was just one of the most cool video game concepts ever. That and the reaction deaths were just satisfying.
Answers question about "That Halo Guy" no cameo of ItsDmaster... disappoint
My list of missed opportunities keeps growing.
Raycevick Why didnt you say The Act Man he would have been perfect!?
ItsDmaster Ayyyy, 117 likes.
HOLY FUCK RAYCEVICK HAS A BLACK LAGOON WAIFU
WHAT A TIME TO BE ALIVE
Dylan Ryan O'Brien when?!
who?
Revy, check the last 5min
Everybody should have a Black Lagoon waifu.
Balalaika baby!
I love your videos and i think you should have more subs!
Rest in Peace, James McCaffrey 😔
Damn brought back some good memories! At the time I was around the age of 12 playing this and I love how gritty the game was. The comic panels, the story, the level design, it was an amazing game.
I had finished this game so many times on different devices (on pc, on ps2, on phone), but I do not regret it. It will always will be in my heart. And after watching this video i've got little bit more inside a look of this game and company as a whole, and I am thankful for that.
Don't answer that
A rhetorical question
I can't remember how many times I've played this game. Max Payne is one of my all time favorites. It's always installed on my computer, It's just perfect for me
so pleasant to bump on a channel like this. keep up the great content man!
The depth to wich you took this review is amazing. I subscribed at the sixteen minute mark, thinking the video was just about over, only to find that there's 12 more minutes. Keep up the good work, man.
Will you be going over Max Payne 2 and 3 as well?
xPauntx I'm pretty sure he is. Just like how he did with Mass Effect and Halo. If it's a franchise. He does the whole thing.
Don't answer that. Rhetoric question.
I'll be eagerly waiting for those then. Max Payne is that one series I haven't played but still have immense respect for. A part of that comes from the fact that it was made in my country, which is strange to me... The only other franchise I *know* was made here in Finland is Angry Birds, a brand that I wish would just shrivel up and _die._
TheFranss "don't answer that. A rhetorical question."
Don't. Rhetoric
I remember playing it on my top spec pc. It was the talk of the town back when people didn’t talk about games in public because there wasn’t enough love for thrm
And then it was 9/11
16:15 "New York City, Present Day"
WTC towers are still standing
they could have released patch removing the towers.
I was actually playing Max Payne when the planes hit the towers. No shit.
For some time I thought this is the most lame thing to answer to the question "where were you when 9/11 happened?" - "playing a game". But then I realized that it's kind of an epic answer to say "I was virtually in NY with Max Payne" :)
@@fusedzamasu5625 Except this game was made before gaming patches were a major thing.
@SteveMatheus broooo it was the same in Germany and child me was mad af
I wanted dragon Ball
Still mad
Your presentation gives me chills everytime i rewatch these videos
I have watched a lot of your videos now and I have thoroughly enjoyed them all. Thank you for putting in the long hours and hard work to bring these documentaries to life. I am thankfull that you have been able to do these because it's great to see videos like this that really shine a light onto games I have enjoyed over the years. Thank you for your work, best of luck with your future projects
You are the best videogame TH-camr, hands down
Rick Neefjes I also really like Joseph Anderson.
Rick Neefjes don't you mean best TH-camr, period?
You should check out RagnarRoxShow
That bar isn't too hard now with some of the major characters who are at the top...
Rick Neefjes it's not even up for debate.
Max spends the whole game chewing painkillers like god damn skittles I'm not surprised he survives a Valkyr overdose.
Max Payne was one of my favourite games at the time :)
It was unique and foremost FUN to play.
That's some great channel you've got here. I watch a lot of "video game history" videos on YT, and a lot of retro-gaming, but this is one of the finest video I've seen yet. It's very "professional", if I may say so - I'm sorry I can't find a better word to say it. The narration, the transitions, the editing, the way you tell this without any hesitation ... There's nothing to cut out from this video, and that's something I don't see that often : you don't blabber or turn around the thing without saying it. Even with fine videos I usually find myself thinking 'guy come on, please hurry, this isn't relevant here !' or 'he said it before and I'm losing my time'. I never felt it here and that's a very good point.
Overall, really interesting video. I discovered Max Payne as a kid, watching my grandpa playing it, and I've never forgotten how fascinating the game was. I'm glad I know a lot more about it now. Thanks !
A beautiful documentary. Max Payne is my favorite game franchise and to be honest, i felt blessed coming across content like this. You sir, have earned my sub.
14:30 I'm quite sure there's an option to map a button to start bullet time without leaping.
One of my favorite games of all time but you are definitely right by calling it a bit cheap at times. That last level was absolutely insane. Even to this day, I never get through it smoothly. lol
Remember, this game was released 3,5 years before Resident Evil 4. That's freaking crazy to me.
I can't believe I've found you only now. Excellent vid - instant sub!
Damn the production values you put in these videos are amazing
Subscribed
The pink flamingo thing is possibly in reference to a movie, "Pink Flamingos". You probably don't want to watch it.
Pink Flamingos is a great movie that nobody should watch
I wouldn't watch it at all.
Yeah let's not do that. I remembered it was on the TV in one of the part 1 rooms but didn't think much about it
What's the problem with it?
Wrong! If you keep holding your trigger, Max will stay on the ground until you let go, or you run out of ammo. Works only with auto weapons though.
Appreciate the correction; will definitely be brought up in my Max Payne 2 coverage.
The mod scene for Max Payne was excellent. I still have a burned cd of the best of the best.
any recs?
From Finland, Lots of love, i loved this game and still have the DVD in my bookshelf. Good times.
Fantastic episode. I played this game for the first time around the same time you mentioned and while I haven't gone back to it, I most certainly did not forget the experience. Despite the dated visuals, the action was still intense and the story was gripping. After watching this video I think I need to go back and play through the game again.
17 years today! The game of my childhood! Love it to death!
Also, you don't have to use bullet time to leap, you can just not use the keybind "shootdodge" which is what triggers the slow motion, and is enabled by default
Remedy is a damn fine developer. Max Payne and Alan Wake will always be some of my favorite experiences.
Great video! You clearly put alot of effort into it & I appreciate that. You got yourself a sub!👌
Awesome video. Brought back A LOT of memories! 🙌
Crazy that this game is almost 20 years old