The Next Level

DRUG WORLD DEPICTED IN GAME

Staff Writer In this shooter from Rockstar Games ("Grand Theft Auto 3"),
you are Max Payne, a New York Police Department detective who returns home
to find his wife and child killed by drug addicts. After a transfer to the
Drug Enforcement Agency, Payne begins to trail the designers of a new drug
that he thinks is responsible for his wife's death.

Payne then tracks down the bad guys in a game that has many similarities to
Hong Kong action films in style and content.

One of Max Payne's coolest features is the "bullet time," similar to the
ability shown by Neo in the film "The Matrix." Payne has limited access to
this ability, which puts everything else in slow motion, like a John Woo film.

"Bullet time" isn't just for show, however. While everyone else in the game
is slowed down, Payne can still shoot as fast as the player can make him.
In some tight spots, this extra ability becomes a necessity.

You can't play the whole game in slow motion, however, as Payne's "bullet
time" will run out -- though you can replenish it by taking out more bad guys.

Payne comes equipped with a Baretta, but you'll find more weapons as you
play the game. Furthermore, Payne will find painkillers to help restore his
health.

Max Payne is nearly nonstop action. From the outset, when you're
unexpectedly dumped in the middle of Payne's wife's murder, through a grimy
New York City infested with gangsters and thugs, you'll have to keep your
finger tight on the trigger.

Furthermore, the foes in Max Payne can be pretty sharp, coming at you from
all directions or altering their technique to flush you out.

The cut scenes in Max Payne play like a graphic novel -- there are word
balloons, captions and panels, read aloud by the voice talent.

Max Payne's visuals are photorealistic, adding to the gritty realism of the
game.

Max Payne is available on the PlayStation 2 and on the Xbox, as well as PC.

Max Payne is rated M for mature and has a suggested retail price of $49.99.