Max Payne 2: Fall of Max Payne is a straight forward run-and-gun game. This sequel hasn't tried to do anything spectacularly different from the last game, as it delivers intense action with interwoven comic book style cut scenes. Max Payne is back on the police force when he uncovers yet another mob threat in the city, one that has roots in the killing of his family.
Unfortunately, the storyline is the only thing that has really changed from the last title, and that isn't even all that much. You progress from one level to the next in a strictly linear fashion. There are no side routes or alternate paths, though there are some goodies to be found in levels, such as prostitutes talking about their deadbeat boyfriends who play too many video games. Clever stabs at persecutors of video game violence are in almost every level, so score one for the good guys on that note.
Lacking from the game are any form of bosses. Though these are not absolutely necessary, and Max Payne 2 does fill that void with some variations of the gameplay, like escorting a guy with a bomb strapped to him or gunning down bad guys with a bum for an ally, something more could have been done to change things up.
The good thing is that there are plenty of WMD's. At least, if used correctly, they can be called this. Pistols, machine guns, pump action shotties, and an assortment of hand thrown explosives are all available to Max from an early point in the game, and there is enough ammo to level a city block, so an itchy trigger finger is encouraged.
Despite it all, there is hardly any replay value in Max Payne 2. Once the game has been completed, most of the big surprises have come and gone, leaving you with a not so fulfilling feeling when you try to go around for a second time. It is definitely fun almost to the point of addiction during the game, but when it's over, it really is over for good.
