Mona is Max's kind of lady.

You will not always have to go it alone in the game.  At various different points in the game computer-controlled allies will join you and fight by your side.  The computer-controlled allies act on their own for all practical purposes, and sometimes just end up as bullet shields because of their tendency to run into rooms right after you've opened the door.  Most of the time they are a welcome aid and do a good job of helping to clear out some of the enemies for you.

The game's levels take place in some of the standard shooter environments such as warehouses, but also in some very imaginative environments.  For example, you'll need to guide Max through his dreams and make your way though a twisted, insane asylum themed funhouse.  The game is packed with little details that demonstrate the level of care and creativity the developers put into the game's designs.  For example, you can turn on TV sets in the game and actually follow the plotlines of a couple different TV shows (those of you who played the first Max Payne will recognize one of the shows as a parody aimed squarely at that game).  All the levels look fantastic, with detailed and realistic textures and realistic lighting.  The character models are very realistic, with life-like appearance, movements, and expressions. 

The game also features a top-notch physics model.  Not only does the physics model give you realistic, rag doll deaths, it allows for some amazing explosion effects and makes objects in the environments behave realistically.  Push your way through a pile of boxes and it will come tumbling down.  Run into the boxes and you'll send them flying.  Kick a bottle down the stairs and it will bounce, spin, and ricochet its way down.  The effect is so well done that when you start the game you'll spend some time running into things just to see how they react to your bumps and pushes.

Max Payne 2 is pretty linear game - most levels have a set path for you to follow as you move between gunfights and triggered events.  However, it is a very cinematic experience.  If you take the time to have a look at all of the details in the levels, let the cutscenes get you caught you up in the storyline, and enjoy the film noir ambience then you won't really notice the linearity.

In The End, This Game Hath Been Rated: 95%.  Max Payne 2 is a cinematic game that plays like an interactive movie, a stylish film noir experience that no gamer should miss.

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