Max Payne 2 Fall of Max Payne
β 19%
(Playstation 2 - PAL, Third Person Shooter)
Other Editions:
Platinum
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$11.97
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Developed by:
Rockstar Games
Published by:
Rockstar Games
Released On:
05 Dec 2003
Also available on:
Max Payne 2: Fall of Max Payne is set in a dark and gritty world, where corruption and violence are rampant. The story follows the titular character, Max Payne, as he seeks revenge for the murder of his family. As Max delves deeper into the investigation, he uncovers a web of deceit and conspiracy that threatens to destroy everything he holds dear.
The gameplay in Max Payne 2: Fall of Max Payne is fast-paced and action-packed, with an emphasis on gunplay and hand-to-hand combat. Max's "bullet time" ability allows players to slow down time and execute complex maneuvers, making for some thrilling set pieces. The game also features a variety of puzzles to solve, which add a layer of depth to the gameplay.
Part #:
SLES-51954 (Europe)
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Typical $9.93β$12.52 (last 90 days)
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Manual
Game Guide
Extracted from the original game manual
This is a third-person shooter where players experience the story through graphic novel sequences that reveal plot twists and character details. Players primarily watch these sequences, with options to skip or scroll through pages, before returning to gameplay.
Story
The Graphic Novel
The Graphic Novel tells much of the story of Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne. It is wise to pay attention to the Graphic Novel sequences. They reveal plot twists, characters, environments, and other elements key to progressing through the game.
Play Mode
After encountering a new page of the Graphic Novel, the story will advance automatically page by page with no user intervention required ('Play Mode'). Gameplay resumes as soon as the Graphic Novel section is completed.
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Press the X button to skip to the next screen.
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Press the button to skip the entire Graphic Novel section.
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Press the left/right directional buttons to scroll through the pages of the Graphic Novel.
Controls
RESET button
When the power indicator lights up, press the open button and the disc tray will open.
open button
the disc tray will open
LEFT ANALOG STICK
MOVE/STRAFE
RIGHT ANALOG STICK
AIM
β² BUTTON
RELOAD
O BUTTON
PAINKILLERS
X BUTTON
JUMP
β BUTTON
USE/ZOOM
R1 BUTTON
SHOOT
R2 BUTTON
SECONDARY ATTACK
R3 BUTTON
AIM FAST
L1 BUTTON
SHOOTDODGETM
L2 BUTTON
BULLET TIME
L3 BUTTON
CROUCH
DIRECTIONAL BUTTONS
WEAPONS MENU
SELECT BUTTON
MAIN MENU
START BUTTON
PAUSE MENU
How to Play
How to Play
Save Game Menu
Select one of 6 available save game slots to save the current gameplay situation. The Save Game option is only available during a running gameplay session.
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Press the SELECT button to return to the main menu and select Save Game.
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Highlight one of the slots and press the X button to save.
Save Menu
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Save
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Previously
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Options
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Credits
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Savegame slot free (x6)
Main Menu
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How To Play: Displays a screen showing the default control configuration for players to quickly jump into the action.
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Resume Game: Resume your on-going game session.
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New Game: Starts a new game session. Select "New Game", then select gameplay mode. Different gameplay modes (Detective, Hard-Boiled, Dead on Arrival, Dead Man Walking and New York Minute) are explained later in the manual.
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The Jump to Chapter option is unlocked once you've completed Detective mode for the first time.
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Load: Opens the Load Game menu screen.
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Save: Opens the Save Game menu screen.
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Previously: Displays a summary of the previous events leading to Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne.
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Options: Opens the Options menu screen.
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Credits: View the credits for Max Payne 2.
During gameplay, you can always return to the Main Menu by pressing the SELECT button. Press A button to return to game.
Load Game Menu
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CONFIRM A BACK
Select any saved game from the Load Game menu and press the X button to load.
Options Menu
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Controls: Reconfigure Movement and Combat Controls.
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Select Crosshair: Choose different types of crosshairs. This option also allows you to turn off crosshair.
Max's Health
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Pain Bar
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Bullet Time Hourglass
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Painkillers
The Pain Bar, in the form of a silhouette of Max Payne, resides in the lower left side of the screen, indicating the level of damage/pain Max Payne is experiencing during the game. In some sequences of the game, two Pain Bars may be visible to indicate the health of another key character.
When the pain bar is full, Max will die. But, like movie action heroes Max never stays down. Even when badly hurt, he slowly regains health and will quickly be ready to dive back into the action.
Reduce pain by eating painkillers found in various locations in the game. Find painkillers left behind by dead enemies or in medicine cabinets and boxes. Carry a maximum of 8 painkillers at once.
Painkillers only heal a fraction of Max's total health and they take a few seconds to take full effect, indicated by a faded red color in the Pain Bar. This faded red color shows the real health status of Max. Further damage will be added on top of the faded red, not the solid red. Choose to take painkillers and let them take full effect before entering further combat against the enemies.
Bullet Time
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(L2 button)
Bullet Time allows Max to slow down time. When Bullet Time is activated, gameplay slows but Max can still aim weapons in real-time.
Bullet Time is a limited resource and drains over time as indicated by the hourglass in the lower left of the screen. Toggle Bullet Time on and off by pressing the L2 button. For every enemy Max takes out, he will gain a little more Bullet Time and it will also regenerate slowly.
Take multiple enemies out quickly and the hourglass will turn different shades of yellow. When this is activated, Max goes even deeper into "the zone". Enemies are slower, but Max's movements and speed remain the same. When in Bullet Time, a deeper shade of yellow indicates Max has an even greater edge over enemies.
Difficulty and Additional Gameplay Modes
Detective
Detective mode is the only mode available when first playing Max Payne 2. In Detective mode, gameplay is altered by a self-adjusting skill level system. Enemies adjust their behavior and performance according to Max's progress through the game.
If the player encounters difficulty, gameplay adjusts the behavior and reactions of the enemies in your favor. If the gameplay is a breeze, enemies will rise to the challenge.
After completing Max Payne 2 for the first time, the following additional gameplay modes are unlocked:
Hard Boiled
For more of a challenge, the Hard Boiled mode is like Detective difficulty without the benefit of the self-adjusting skill system. Enemies are always set to their toughest level.
Dead On Arrival
The ultimate challenge! The enemies are just as deadly as in Hard Boiled mode, but now the player also has a limited number of save games available per level. This mode is unlocked only after completing Hard Boiled.
New York Minute
A hectic mode for speed-running. Each map starts out with a timer ticking. Take out enemies to reduce the time. Graphic Novels and cinematics stop the timer from progressing. Bullet Time reduces the timer's progression to correspond to the slowdown.
The times are saved and you can review your record runs - the faster you are, the better. This gameplay mode is unlocked once you've completed Detective Mode for the first time.
Dead Man Walking
Death is inevitable, the question is how long you can keep going. Stay alive as long as possible in this fast paced deathmatch. When you start playing Dead Man Walking the map has a single enemy, and as time progresses more and more enemies are spawned into the map.
When the enemies die, they get resurrected after a five second delay. The longer you stay alive the better your score: Taking out enemies gives the player an extra
Items & Weapons
DUAL 9MM PISTOLS
Rapid firing handguns deadly at close range. Each carries 16 bullets in the clip.
SAWED OFF SHOTGUN
Not a legal police issue weapon. While inaccurate over longer distances this is absolutely deadly at close range.
MPS
High-powered automatic weapon with a blistering rate of fire. Scope allows for long distance blasting.
DRAGUNOV
Pinpoint sniper rifle with a very technical scope to take out thugs with precision.
Tips & Maps
Shootdodging
Perform a slow-motion dive by pressing a direction (left, right, forward, or back) and the L1 button. This doesn't use Bullet Time but provides an advantage in combat, allowing Max to aim in real-time and continue firing while prone.
Bullet Time Combo
Set a single button to both toggle Bullet Time and Shootdodge. Press it while standing still to toggle Bullet Time, or while moving to Shootdodge in that direction.
Dodging
Perform an effective defensive move by selecting a direction (left, right, or back) and pressing the X button simultaneously.
Cinematic Shots
During combat, the camera highlights action like enemies flying backwards in slow-motion, and a 'Bullet Cam' may occur with the sniper rifle. You can interrupt these by pressing the X button.
Bullet Time Reload Special Move
When in Bullet Time and Max is deep 'in the zone,' actions such as reloading may trigger a special move accompanied by a camera pan.
Utilize Shootdodging and Bullet Time
Make full use of Shootdodging and Bullet Time to gain an advantage, aim more easily, and take less damage, as the game can be very difficult without them.
Search Levels Thoroughly
Always search each level thoroughly for hidden Painkillers and weapons in unexpected places.
Use Explosive Objects
Take out multiple enemies at once by shooting explosive barrels or ammo crates.
Fight Alongside Allies
When a character offers to fight alongside Max, accept their offer and use their actions to your advantage.
Talk to Characters
Talk to any characters encountered along the way, as they may reveal important information or provide weapons and painkillers.
Crouching
Crouching (L3 button) during a gunfight makes Max a smaller target, provides cover for reloading, and steadies the sniper rifle.
Keep Moving in Gunfights
Avoid being an easy target by constantly moving, performing evasive rolls, and hiding behind cover when reloading.
Offense as Defense
When confronted by multiple enemies, sometimes pushing ahead and taking them out is the best defense, as Max gains more Bullet Time.
Enemy Vulnerabilities
Pay attention to different enemy types, as some are tougher, some have body armor, and certain areas are more vulnerable than others.
Dodge Bullets in Bullet Time
In Bullet Time, pay close attention and dodge incoming bullets to avoid damage in hectic gunfights, and use it while sniping to improve aim.
Examine Interesting Items
Don't pass up interesting items, TV shows, or answering machines Max finds during gameplay.
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