Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne

 PC
Metascore
86

Generally favorable reviews - based on 46 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 41 out of 46
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 46
  3. Negative: 0 out of 46
Buy Now
Buy on
  1. GMR Magazine
    70
    We'd be hard pressed to stake the claim that any of these add significantly to the first game's singularly terse thrill. [Jan 2004, p.60]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. Computer Games Magazine
    70
    It ups the ante on art and style while taking its attempts at being "cinematic" too seriously. This makes it nearly impossible to ignore the general level of mediocrity to the characterizations, writing, and storytelling despite its mostly solid action. [Jan 2004, p.62]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. games(TM)
    70
    It's cliched, pretentious and even horribly self-indulgent at times, but Max Payne 2 is still an absolute joy to play. [Christmas 2003, p.114]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. Edge Magazine
    60
    Is this the most violent game of all time? Maybe. Its ragdoll physics may not match the flying limbs and broken faces of Soldier of Fortune, but its throwaway approach to life and death is genuinely shocking, leaving a bitter, metallic aftertaste. This is neither a fall nor an ascension. This is an update. [Jan 2004, p.105]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. GameShark
    60
    A competent, if not particularly impressive, sequel. It makes some minor technological improvements, but packages them with major new flaws in the storytelling and gameplay.

Awards & Rankings

15
#15 Best PC Game of 2003
3
#3 Most Discussed PC Game of 2003
8
#8 Most Shared PC Game of 2003

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1559 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,393 out of 1559
  2. Mixed: 141 out of 1559
  3. Negative: 25 out of 1559
  1. RainbowDashie13
    May 17, 2012
    10
    Rockstar Games took Remedy's franchise and developed Max Payne 2, and boy, did they do a job well done.
    They improved everything in this game;    Rockstar Games took Remedy's franchise and developed Max Payne 2, and boy, did they do a job well done.
    They improved everything in this game; Graphics, Sound Design, Animations and so on...
    Much like the first game, this game is WAY too outstanding for it's time, Half Life 2 has one of the best graphics of 2004 but I think Max Payne 2 might just beat it in the slightest pixel.
    They added physics to this game and WOW it works very well and it actually adds a lot to the game and it is very helpful, like pushing an explosive barrel towards an enemy and then blowing it up, or if a dead enemy's weapon gets stuck in some edge just shoot it a couple times for it to fall in your hands.
    This game is outstanding and I just can't tell which game is better the 1st Max Payne or the 2nd one, they are both just perfect.
    But still, I wonder what would of happen to the series if Remedy kept making the games... Hmmm... Max's face from the first game in the third one...    … Full Review »
  2. Lead
    Sep 11, 2012
    10
    We Will Never Forget Remedy's Max Payne.
  3. CCC78
    Nov 20, 2020
    10
    PS: This rating is by 2003 standards.

    Story: 9/10
    Gameplay: 10/10
    Graphics: 10/10
    World design: 10/10
    Enjoyability: 10/10
    Conclusion: 10/10
See all user reviews »