Recent reviews by .xyz

DayZ for the Minecraft audience (or those who can't run it).

One of the more truely cinematic games of this decade so far. Even though its highly reminiscent of the late Tony Scott's films (specifically Man on Fire and Déjà Vu) and is clearly influenced by classical American action cinema, it stands on its own and uses the video game medium to its full potential. The story, while mainly contrived, towers over most featured in other blockbuster games of this scale; a story where relationships between characters have impact and weight, which is a rare sight in games today.

3 > 1 > 2

Toys with more philosophical ideas and highlights the more surreal sequences that occured occassionaly in the first installment, but never really brings anything interesting to the franchise when it comes to gameplay and story. Payne does become a more fleshed out character though, which elevates the material a bit more. Repetitive setpieces with the addition of excessive handholding drag this down even more. Average, even when it's at its best.

The film noir aesthetic works to its advantange, making up for the lower points and weaker moments in the story. Payne isn't a very complex character (nothing in this actually is) and not even that likeable to a degree. What makes this fascinating is the gameplay and how the flow of gunplay is unique with the franchise's signature Bullet Time mechanice that has come to define and popularize the Max Payne name. Even with its mainly banal story, its near perfect gameplay makes it worthwhile.