This article is about the video game series. For the first game in the series, see Max Payne (video game). For the title character, see Max Payne (character). For other uses, see Max Payne (disambiguation).
Not to be confused with Maxx Payne.
Max Payne
GenreThird-person shooter
DeveloperRemedy Entertainment (2001–2003; 2022–present)
Rockstar Studios (2012)
PublisherGathering of Developers (2001, PC)
Rockstar Games
WriterSam Lake (1–2)
Dan Houser (3)
Michael Unsworth (3)
Rupert Humphries (3)
ComposerKärtsy Hatakka (1–2)
Kimmo Kajasto (1–2)
Perttu Kivilaakso (2)
Health (3)
Platforms
First release versionMax Payne
First release dateJuly 24, 2001
Latest release versionMax Payne 3
Latest release dateMay 15, 2012

Max Payne is a neo-noir third-person shooter video game series developed by Remedy Entertainment (Max Payne and Max Payne 2) and Rockstar Studios (Max Payne 3). The series is named after its protagonist, Max Payne, a New York City police detective turned vigilante after his family was murdered by drug addicts. The first two installments were written by Sam Lake, while Max Payne 3 was primarily written by Rockstar Games' Dan Houser.

The first game in the series, Max Payne, was released for Windows in 2001 and for PlayStation 2, Xbox, and Apple Macintosh in 2002; a different version of the game was released for the Game Boy Advance in 2003. A sequel, titled Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne was released for PlayStation 2, Windows, and Xbox in 2003. In 2008, a movie adaptation, loosely based on the original game, entitled Max Payne, was released, starring Mark Wahlberg and Mila Kunis in the roles of Max Payne and Mona Sax, respectively. Max Payne 3 was developed by Rockstar Studios and released for PlayStation 3, Windows, and Xbox 360 in 2012.

In November 2021, Microsoft announced that in celebration of 20 years of Xbox, they would be adding over 70 more games to their backwards compatibility program. Headlining these games was the Max Payne trilogy, making the games available to play on Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S[1]

The franchise is notable for its use of "bullet time" in action sequences, as well as being positively received by critics.[2][3] As of 2011, the Max Payne franchise has sold over 7.5 million units.[4] The film rendition received negative reviews but was commercially successful.[5][6]

In April 2022, Remedy Entertainment announced that remakes of Max Payne and Max Payne 2 are being developed in collaboration with Rockstar Games. The two games will be released as a single title.[7]

Games

Max Payne

Main article: Max Payne (video game)

Renegade DEA agent and former NYPD officer Max Payne attempts to hunt down the ones responsible for murdering his wife and child, as well as framing him for the murder of his NYPD partner, Alex Balder. As the story unfolds, he gains a number of "allies", including Vladimir Lem (a suave, old-fashioned Russian mobster) and Mona Sax (a vigilante who is out to avenge the death of her twin sister) and uncovers a major conspiracy involving the trafficking of a narcotic called V, or Valkyr—after the mythological figures in Norse mythology—which is somehow connected to the death of Max's family.

Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne

Main article: Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne

Two years after the first game, Max Payne has rejoined the NYPD and has been cleared of the charges for his killing spree thanks to his connection to Senator Alfred Woden, the leader of a secret society called the Inner Circle. During a routine murder investigation, Max finds himself face-to-face with the fugitive Mona Sax, who reluctantly joins him in his investigation. As the two work together to uncover the truth, they begin to develop feelings for each other, and come across another major conspiracy, which this time involves Vladimir Lem, the Italian Mob, and the Inner Circle.

Max Payne 3

Main article: Max Payne 3

Nine years after the second game, Max Payne has left New York and is working on a private security detail in São Paulo, Brazil. When the wife of his employer is kidnapped by a local street gang, Max and his old friend Raul Passos join forces in an attempt to rescue her, igniting a war that will lead them to confront a larger conspiracy.[8]

Remakes

Remedy Entertainment, with funding from Rockstar (who holds the rights to the series), announced plans to remake Max Payne and Max Payne 2 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S in April 2022. At the time of the announcement, the remakes were at an early development state, and no planned release date was announced.[9] It was confirmed that the two games will be released as a single title.[10]

Film adaptation

Main article: Max Payne (film)

Early in 2003, it was confirmed that 20th Century Fox had bought the rights to adapt the game to film.[11] The Max Payne movie went into production in 2008 and was directed by John Moore. The movie was produced by Collision Entertainment and Firm Films in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.[12] Mark Wahlberg and Mila Kunis[13] play the roles of Max Payne and Mona Sax respectively.[14] Beau Bridges, Chris O'Donnell, Nelly Furtado and Ludacris have roles as B.B. Hensley, Jason Colvin, Christa Balder and Jim Bravura respectively.[15] On July 10, 2008, a teaser trailer was released, featuring an instrumental version of the Marilyn Manson song, "If I Was Your Vampire".[16] The film was released to theaters in the U.S. on October 17, 2008, with a PG-13 rating.[17] While it was ranked first on its opening weekend, grossing US$18 million at the box office,[18] the film received mainly negative reviews, having a 16% rating at Rotten Tomatoes, based on 129 reviews.[19] In June 2022, 20th Century Studios announced that a Max Payne reboot movie is in development.[20]

Characters

Characters and their actors across Max Payne media
CharacterGamesFilm
Max Payne (2001)Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne (2003)Max Payne 3 (2012)Max Payne (2008)
Max PayneJames McCaffreyMark Wahlberg
Mona SaxJulia MurneyWendy HoopesMila Kunis
Vladimir LemDominic HawksleyJonathan Davis
Senator Alfred WodenJohn Randolph JonesJohn BradenJohn Randolph Jones
Vinnie GognittiJoe DalloFred Berman
Lt. Jim BravuraPeter AppelVince ViveritoLudacris
Nicole HorneJane GennaroKate Burton
Michelle PayneHaviland MorrisUnvoicedMarianthi Evans
Alex BalderChris Philipscolspan="2"Donal Logue
B.B. HensleyAdam Gruppercolspan="2"Beau Bridges
Don Angelo PunchinelloJoe RagnoJoe Ragno
Jack LupinoJeff GurnerJeff GurnerAmaury Nolasco
Joey & Virgilio FinitoTye Reigncolspan="3"
Rico MuerteJoe Maruzzocolspan="3"
Candy DawnJoanie Ellencolspan="3"
Frankie "The Bat" NiagaraBruce Kronenbergcolspan="3"
Boris DimePeter Appelcolspan="3"
Vince MugnaioUnvoicedcolspan="3"
Pilate "Big Brother" ProvidenceUnvoicedcolspan="3"
Joe "Deadpan" SalemUnvoicedcolspan="3"
Lisa Punchinello / Natasha SaxUnvoicedcolspan="2"Olga Kurylenko
Det. Valerie WintersonJennifer Server
KaufmanGregory Simscolspan="2"
Mike "The Cowboy"Gary Yudmancolspan="2"
Annie FinnKimberly Howardcolspan="2"
Senator Sebastian GatesUnvoicedcolspan="2"
CorcoranUnvoicedcolspan="2"
Raul Passoscolspan="2"Julian Dean
Rodrigo Brancocolspan="2"Frank Rodriguez
Victor Brancocolspan="2"Robert Montano
Marcelo Brancocolspan="2"Dillon Porter
Fabiana Brancocolspan="2"Benedita Aires Pereira
Giovanna Taverescolspan="2"Shirley Rumierk
Wilson Da Silvacolspan="2"Stephen Girasuolo
Serranocolspan="2"Babs Olusanmokun
Armando Beckercolspan="2"Bira Castro
Álvaro Nevescolspan="2"Gil Cardoso
Bachmeyercolspan="2"Gilberto Romagnolo
Milo Regocolspan="2"Daniel Bittencourt
Anthony DeMarcocolspan="2"Ray Iannicelli
Tony DeMarcocolspan="2"Charlie Semine
Arthur Fischercolspan="2"Marconi de Morais
Anders Detlingcolspan="2"Wayne Duvall
Jason Colvincolspan="3"Chris O'Donnell
Christa Baldercolspan="3"Nelly Furtado
Owen Greencolspan="3"Joel Gordon
Lincoln DeNeufcolspan="3"Jamie Hector
Tattoo Artistcolspan="3"Stephen R. Hart

References

  1. ^ Lo, Peggy (November 15, 2021). "Celebrate 20 years of Xbox with over 70 new Backward Compatible Games". Xbox Wire. Archived November 30, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-12-15.
  2. ^ "Max Payne on Metacritic". Metacritic. Archived October 26, 2008 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved November 29, 2008.
  3. ^ "Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne on Metacritic". Metacritic. Archived March 28, 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved November 29, 2008.
  4. ^ Orland, Kyle (September 14, 2011). "Grand Theft Auto IV Passes 22M Shipped, Franchise Above 114M". Gamasutra. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved November 12, 2011.
  5. ^ "Film: Max Payne on Metacritic". Metacritic. Archived November 4, 2008 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved November 29, 2008.
  6. ^ Hilliard, Kyle (27 November 2015). "Remedy Reflects On The Disappointing 2008 Max Payne Film". Game Informer. Archived November 29, 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
  7. ^ "Remedy Entertainment Enters Agreement with Rockstar Games for New Max Payne 1&2 Project". Remedy Entertainment. April 6, 2022. Archived April 6, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 6, 2022.
  8. ^ "Max Payne 3 Announced!". RockstarWatch.net. March 23, 2009. Archived January 4, 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 23, 2009.
  9. ^ Mackovech, Sam (April 6, 2022). "Rockstar, Remedy shake hands on new Max Payne 1+2 remaster series". Ars Technica. Archived April 6, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 6, 2022.
  10. ^ Peters, Jay (2022-04-06). "Max Payne remakes are on the way". The Verge. Archived April 7, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2022-04-07.
  11. ^ IGN Filmforce (June 27, 2005). "Max Payne Movie". IGN. Archived from the original on October 23, 2007. Retrieved June 24, 2007.
  12. ^ "Max Payne Movie Update". IGN. October 31, 2007. Archived from the original on November 3, 2007. Retrieved November 9, 2007.
  13. ^ Fleming, Michael (March 9, 2008). "Killer role for Kunis in 'Max Payne". Variety. Archived February 5, 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 10, 2008.
  14. ^ Fleming, Michael (November 8, 2007). "Mark Wahlberg to star in 'Max'". Variety. Archived November 9, 2007 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved November 9, 2007.
  15. ^ "Max Payne (2008) – Cast and Credits – Yahoo! Movies". Archived May 22, 2011 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
  16. ^ "First Max Payne Movie Trailer Released". Shacknews. July 10, 2008. Archived September 13, 2008 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 10, 2007.
  17. ^ GamePro, Issue #234, March 2008. pg. 30
  18. ^ "Weekend Box Office Results from 10/17 to 10/19". Box Office Mojo. Archived December 16, 2008 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 21, 2008.
  19. ^ Max Payne Movie Reviews Archived August 1, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved on April 30, 2011.
  20. ^ Williams, Caleb (June 16, 2022). "20th Century Studios Puts A 'Max Payne' Reboot Project Into Early Development". Knightedge Media. Retrieved June 17, 2022.